Hello from Missouri!
 

Hello everyone! I'm getting back into quilting and sewing after about a five or six year hiatus, and I'm planning on making it stick this time. I love hand piecing, and am researching getting a beginner level sewing machine. I've always loved to make things for people (I crochet and kind of knit as well, my family and friends call me an old lady ;) ), and I'm looking to get some fellowship and camaraderie from this board as well. Can't wait to get to know people!

Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)

Welcome aboard. In my other on-line persona I'm a "gamer granny" and can pass for around 14 years old, but sometimes I just gotta let my inner granny out -- even when that was back when I was 14 years old! This is a great place for a cup of coffee in the mornings.

For a beginner, I'd recommend looking at Craig's List for a good used machine until you know what features you want. For the last 30 years I've been sewing on a vintage (older than I am even) sewing machine. It gives me a good strong straight stitch and really that's all you need. Not saying that is all you want but you can get to that. Plenty of good solid machines for free or next to it.

Having said that, I was given a new-to-me machine from a friend of mine, it is a modern Bernina 820 and has all the bells and whistles (but not the embroidery module of the 830). So I'm loving the knee level foot lift up/down -- and she never used it. I'm having problems learning the right tap to end the needle down on the foot pedal, she does it naturally. I love the self-threader, but even a threading assist like in a low-priced Brother is a big help.

Saw and posted in your stash/small pieces thread. We have all sorts of quilters here with all sorts of stashes :)

Hello from Topeka. Crossed the Mo river a few days ago and worried about the consequences for your town, Then we got two days of rain. Sorry, it is headed your way.

As far a as a beginner machine I would recommend a cast iron singer at least 50 years old. They are amazing and if you are at all handy you can bring one back to life and keep it running forever.. Browse through vintage and antique pages.. Cheap plastic beginner machines are disposable.

If you are a cyclist, are you going to Sedalia next month? Penny farthing festival. High wheels and other antique bikes and lovely garb to go with them?

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Hi and welcome from North Carolina! You've come to the right place for friends, all kinds of help and lots of encouragement.

Hi! welcome from northern California....enjoy the journey.

Welcome back to the board from NE Ohio.

Welcome from Michigan!:)

a very warm welcome from Ky.