New from Iowa
 

Hello all! I've been checking in here for awhile now and have so enjoyed seeing the projects you all have done and am so impressed and overwhelmed!! I haven't keyed in on any posts yet.....not a very active quilter, but plan to do more as I have the time. I just finished a baby quilt and had my old (40 year old Necchi) shell out just as I was ready to sew the borders on, so had to borrow a machine from a friend. I'm wondering (pardon me if this subject has been exhausted) if I could get some tips on shopping for a new machine. I don't need a very sophisticated machine as I mainly do piecing, but would like to upgrade from my aged, but very dependable plain Jane! Thank you!!

Hi from Ohio! I would do a search or just ask here one the board for the machine you are interested in. I am sure someone will answer you.

Welcome from Adrian, MI

Hello and welcome from Australia.

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)

Hello, welcome from Oklahoma!!!

Hi fellow Iowan :) You will enjoy all the info on this board and glad you found us! In thinking about a new sewing machine, consider what you want to be doing in the next few years and buy a machine you can grow into. I like to both piece and free motion quilt on my domestic machine - and so for me, having a needle down button, knee lift, and a good quality stitch were important to me. Not sure where you are in Iowa, but I would recommend finding a sewing machine dealer and going from there. I have a Janome 6600 and love it - but there are many good machines out there. Again, welcome!

Hello and welcome from northern California!

Hello and welcome from Australia. Try this:- www.evidently.org/2007/02/too-much-information

HI I want to welcome too, I am rom CCo. I Love my Janome and they don'thave to have all the bells and whistles to quilt. Enjoy your latest addiction:thumbup:

Thanks so much for your input! There are so many different brands out there with so many functions that it is hard to narrow down, but agree that making a list of "must haves" is a good place to begin. We are near Carroll and the closest dealers are a couple of hours away, which makes it kind of difficult. Thanks again!

Hello and welcome from Kentucky!

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Welcome from WI. Good luck finding your new machine.

:) welcome from se TX

Hi from Dubuque Iowa, love my husqvarna viking designer 11. It was made strickly for quilting. The sapphire 875 has taken it's place and is a little pricey but it has a bigger throat and now that I'm retired I do a lot more sewing

Hello and welcome from Minnesota!
Go to a sewing store and "test drive" some sewing machines. (just like you would when shopping for a car)
Bernina, Brother, Viking, Elna, BabyLock, etc, they are all good!!!
Have fun and let us know what you get! :)

Welcome from Michigan!

Hello recycler and welcome from another Iowan. I'm from Sioux City over in western Iowa. It doesn't matter what kind of machine you have as long as you have a good dealer and service behind them.

Thank everyone of you for your warm welcome and your helpful tips. I am getting excited about researching the right machine for my needs now that I have come to grips with the fact that I have to let my trusty old machine go. It was my first machine, which I bought just before my first child was born....41 years ago...and it never caused a minutes trouble. I'm sure it will be a great learning curve! Happy sewing!

Hello and Welcome to the QB from North Carolina. Sew glad you could join us. You'll love it here :thumbup:

Hi from dubuque iowa

Welcome to the board from the friendly State of Alabama

Welcome from Kansas

Hi from dubuque iowa

I am new too. from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Retired last Aug after 37 years in retail. Am more of a fabric collector than a quilter.As a child I sat under the quilt frame, 4 chairs, and handed them the needle if it fell down. Needless to say I love scraps ! Thanks, Omacookie