Originally Posted by
enderwiggen
Hi,
I'll start out and say I'm not a quilter, nor do I intend to be one. I'm posting for help for my wife. She recently started quilting with a friend and has become addicted. She has been using her friend's machine (a very VERY nice one from what I hear) and is now discouraged from starting to quilt on her own. We don't have the finances to acquire a machine of the caliber that she has been using (several thousand dollars), and she is now saying that she doesn't want to do it at all since we can't afford the machine her friend has at home.
My question is: how can I encourage her? I want her to continue since it makes her happy, but she seems convinced that she can't sew without a high end machine. I know nothing about sewing machines, but I do know that there has to be some sort of machine that can do the basics (which is her skill level at the moment). There's surely some sort of machine that can support her new interest and carry her through until we CAN afford a nice machine.
I would really appreciate some advice on this. I want her to continue quilting but I need advice on how to keep her going until we can afford something really nice. Is there something she could start on and step up to another machine later? I'm out of my depth here.
I started quilting with a mid-range priced machine from Walmart. It is a Brother. I used it for ten years, and only spent $150 for it then. Four years ago, I was in a position to buy what you call a "high end" machine. I love my new machine, but truthfully I still love the older one so much that I am unable to part with it. I will say that if you go for the less expensive machine, buy two large mouse pads to set it on, since the less expensive machines tend to vibrate a lot. I do think that if you were to buy her one for Christmas, she would be caught up in the "It's all mine" feeing, and not worry about what you spent. Keep your receipt, and give it a try. One more good reason to love you is never a bad thing. Just a thought, you could buy a pattern and fabric for her first quit to add to the gift, or just get her a gift card for that part. You are a prize just for wanting her to be happy. Good hubby!