What to buy?
 

I have a Featherweight that I LOVE!! :) But I've been told I cannot quilt with it, only piece as the harp is too small. What would you recommend I purchase or investigate with a bigger harp? 201, 301 or......

didn't anyone ever tell you there is no such word as Can't???
i know people who do quilt with their featherweights- you just need to learn how....and yes- it is small so would not work for say a king sized quilt- but totally doable with small quilts.

:DLOL, I guess I used the wrong terminology. I guess what I meant would be "easier" because of harp size.

Yes, look into the 301. It's a wonderful FMQing machine. I know there are 201 lovers out there, but the horizontal bobbin design on that model can cause tension issues while FMQing. Look into the 15's as they have almost as large a throat space and have a vertical bobbin.

And like you said, it's not that you can't, but it's not a joy to FMQ a large project on a FW. And it does put some strain on the motor.

I recommend a 15, but have also used a 201 and 66, although the 201 and 66 have horizontal bobbins. The 15 makes pretty stitches, though.

My 301 quilts. I have a second 301 that I haven't tried it on yet.

I recommend a 15-91 or a 15 clone. You can drop the feed dogs and the harp space works very well. I have used my 301 as well, but I like the 15 better for FMQ.

My 301 does a wonderful job FMQ - any errors are my learning curve. I haven't tried the 15 yet, but it should do well.

Depends on how much money you have to spend I guess. The 15 clones are cheap and if you find one with a large harp area they do a real nice job of FM. If you have more money the other options will work too. I keep going back to an old clone I have - nothing else seems to be as nice.

I much prefer the 15 type bobbin system for FMQ, I don't seem to have much luck with the 301,201 or 66(I have them all). My favorite vintage machines for FMQ are Singers 237 and 15-90, I treadle both of them; the harp size on both machines is about 8 or 9 inches.
I can't find a darning foot that will fit the 301 and work properly.
Sharon W.