I would never suggest beginner quilters buy poor quality fabric and thread to make their first quilts but I would tell them to buy the quality fabric and thread at sale prices. A top of the line machine will not sew a better quality quilt. I think any new student of any art or hobby has the mindset of using less quality tools to start with. Of course a paid teacher will say the less quality tools are fine if that means keeping a paying student. A quality tool will last and perform the job it's suppose to, it doesn't have to be the most expensive. Unless a tool is disposable, buying the low quality is just guaranteed frustration. Even young children know how much better Crayon brand crayons color better then the waxy cheap ones.