Help choosing a sewing machine for quilting...newbie
11-18-2008, 12:26 PM
#71
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 12
HI!
I have been sewing for many years and quilting for about 12 or so. I have a Phaff that replaced my Kenmore. Though when I started doing more quilts I got a Janome (it was at a discounted price - new model came out). I also got an embroidery machine and that is strictkly used for embroidery. Look for a machine that suits her needs and don't be afraid to look at higher priced models - look at them for to compare differences of what they have to offer, more stitches, more feet, threader, auto cutter etc. You don't want to buy a machine and then in a few months she's out grown it or decides she really could use those other options. I love my Janome and had planned to eventually put it on a frame to do quilting with but ended up with a babylock on it for quilting. Hope this helps.
Best of luck,
Pam
I have been sewing for many years and quilting for about 12 or so. I have a Phaff that replaced my Kenmore. Though when I started doing more quilts I got a Janome (it was at a discounted price - new model came out). I also got an embroidery machine and that is strictkly used for embroidery. Look for a machine that suits her needs and don't be afraid to look at higher priced models - look at them for to compare differences of what they have to offer, more stitches, more feet, threader, auto cutter etc. You don't want to buy a machine and then in a few months she's out grown it or decides she really could use those other options. I love my Janome and had planned to eventually put it on a frame to do quilting with but ended up with a babylock on it for quilting. Hope this helps.
Best of luck,
Pam
11-18-2008, 12:45 PM
#72
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Posts: 1
I am using a Bernina 230 that I purchased three years ago as a retirement gift to myself. I am not interested in the embroidery features found on the more expensive machines and this one has all the features that seemed to fit with my need for a machine for a "new" quilter. I am very satisfied with it and am not looking to upgrade at this time. It is fun to look though! Our local Bernina dealer is currently featuring the new 830 model...with a price tag that gives me shivers!
11-18-2008, 12:49 PM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Eau Claire
Posts: 688
Good idea to ask what sewing machines people are using.
I always wonder.
I have a Janome 9000. Sure would like the Bernina with the stitch regulator foot.
But, guess Santa will have to bring that.
maryellen in wisconsin
I always wonder.
I have a Janome 9000. Sure would like the Bernina with the stitch regulator foot.
But, guess Santa will have to bring that.
maryellen in wisconsin
11-18-2008, 12:58 PM
#74
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Just outside Boston, MA
Posts: 183
Years ago I bought a Kenmore Sewing Machine at Sears. It is the equivalent of a Singer. I love it. When I originally sewed it was for clothing and like the Singer because it had a buttonhole maker. Today I still use this machine for all of my piecing of quilts. It has performed especially well even after all these yers. It has marks on the needle plate and one is for the 1/4" which is the standard seam allowance in quilting. The drawback is that I don't have double needle capability nor does it have needle up/needle down capibility. However, for a first machine I would recommend it and the price is not overwhelming.
Several years ago my loving husband and 2 sons bought me a Husqvarna Embroidery machine which I really love and use to embellish my quilts but when I am constructing the quilt I always return to using the Singer.
Hope this helps.
Several years ago my loving husband and 2 sons bought me a Husqvarna Embroidery machine which I really love and use to embellish my quilts but when I am constructing the quilt I always return to using the Singer.
Hope this helps.
11-18-2008, 01:01 PM
#75
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2
It is perfectly fine for a man to visit a quilt store because many men are doing the quilting themselves.
You might also ask at the quilt store if they have any classroom machines available for sale. You can get some good deals on these machines also. They are machines that have been used in the classroom for ususally about a year and then sold at a reduced price.
You might also ask at the quilt store if they have any classroom machines available for sale. You can get some good deals on these machines also. They are machines that have been used in the classroom for ususally about a year and then sold at a reduced price.
11-18-2008, 01:12 PM
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 562
quiltn, my husband loves to visit the quilt stores (thank you lord) he doesn't sew, but likes to look at the different machines and materials. He also likes to see all the quilting tools available. I don't know why, like I said he doesn't sew.
11-18-2008, 01:20 PM
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 405
Per request of Konstantin: My sewing machines- pro and con.
Singer touch and sew: Loved it, died at age 40, could put a single stitch anywhere I wanted with it, backward or forward.
Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 (6 yrs ago). (embroidery machine) Very good machine.!! Loved the drop in bobbin, the automatic needle lift feature when stitching stopped. The embroidery seemed not to stay within the lines and fill completely at times. The software for the embroidery seemed cumbersome, never really learned it.Computer interface was floppy disk which became extinct. Traded it in on:
Bernina 730: (3 yrs ago) Bought it because of the stitch regulator. (Found out it wasn't the answer to free-hand quilting, a person must still need talent.) :D :( .
I like the way it embroiders. I don't like the knee lever to raise the pressor foot when done stitching. The bobbin is on the front, and hard for arthritic fingers to manipulate. I LOVE the independent bobbin winder - use it to wind the bobbins for my other machine. Don't use it much for piecing because it is a 9mm and the feed dogs are too far apart to catch the 1/4 inch seam allowance easily. It has a lot of stitches, but about 10 that I really use, but a lot of potential for decorative work. The menu is hard to navigate, can't always find the stitch I'm looking for, and hard to remember what all the icons mean-would rather have words. It's is solid and reliable. I think the embroidery is of good quality. (Difficult to get the fabric in the hoop with the provided clips (I think some newer machines are improving this.) The entry embroidery software doesn't do much, and again is hard to learn, but if you are into this, there is (expensive), but advanced software available.
I feel I spent a lot of money for features I will probable never use, but always have a toy that will keep me learning if I use it.
Pfaff Expression 2036 - 1 1/2 years old. Bought it for the IDT (built-in walking foot and LOVE this feature!! It also has a 6mm stitch width max, so it good for piecing with these 2 features. Has 61 stitches and higher case alphabet. (I would like to have a lower case alphabet to make quilt labels with.) Can actually free motion on this machine as well as I can on the Bernina with BSR. Needle threader on this machine works great.
My dream machine would have a deeper throat for manipulating quilts and a lower case alphabet for quilt labels, but I'm keeping these. If I win the lottery I might buy a long-arm. :lol: Yeah, right!!
Featherweight Singer: Just a toy, like my other machines better.
Sorry, so long winded.
Singer touch and sew: Loved it, died at age 40, could put a single stitch anywhere I wanted with it, backward or forward.
Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 (6 yrs ago). (embroidery machine) Very good machine.!! Loved the drop in bobbin, the automatic needle lift feature when stitching stopped. The embroidery seemed not to stay within the lines and fill completely at times. The software for the embroidery seemed cumbersome, never really learned it.Computer interface was floppy disk which became extinct. Traded it in on:
Bernina 730: (3 yrs ago) Bought it because of the stitch regulator. (Found out it wasn't the answer to free-hand quilting, a person must still need talent.) :D :( .
I like the way it embroiders. I don't like the knee lever to raise the pressor foot when done stitching. The bobbin is on the front, and hard for arthritic fingers to manipulate. I LOVE the independent bobbin winder - use it to wind the bobbins for my other machine. Don't use it much for piecing because it is a 9mm and the feed dogs are too far apart to catch the 1/4 inch seam allowance easily. It has a lot of stitches, but about 10 that I really use, but a lot of potential for decorative work. The menu is hard to navigate, can't always find the stitch I'm looking for, and hard to remember what all the icons mean-would rather have words. It's is solid and reliable. I think the embroidery is of good quality. (Difficult to get the fabric in the hoop with the provided clips (I think some newer machines are improving this.) The entry embroidery software doesn't do much, and again is hard to learn, but if you are into this, there is (expensive), but advanced software available.
I feel I spent a lot of money for features I will probable never use, but always have a toy that will keep me learning if I use it.
Pfaff Expression 2036 - 1 1/2 years old. Bought it for the IDT (built-in walking foot and LOVE this feature!! It also has a 6mm stitch width max, so it good for piecing with these 2 features. Has 61 stitches and higher case alphabet. (I would like to have a lower case alphabet to make quilt labels with.) Can actually free motion on this machine as well as I can on the Bernina with BSR. Needle threader on this machine works great.
My dream machine would have a deeper throat for manipulating quilts and a lower case alphabet for quilt labels, but I'm keeping these. If I win the lottery I might buy a long-arm. :lol: Yeah, right!!
Featherweight Singer: Just a toy, like my other machines better.
Sorry, so long winded.
11-18-2008, 01:29 PM
#79
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
Hi, I have 2 Designer 1's I love them and highly recommend Viking machines. They have a sensor foot so it automatically knows whether you have thick or thin fabric under the presser foot and it regulates its presser. I hardly ever use my dual feed foot because of this nice feature. It also has the needle down position which it great for quilting too. I use my Des.1 for mosts of my quilts, it has lots of quilting and decorative stitches that are great for quilting.
I also have a Mega quilter and table for my quilting, it is a low end price range for a long arm. I would say buy the biggest and best long arm you can afford. I would love to get a bigger machine someday but this is giving me lots of practice till I can get something bigger. It is great other than I would like a bigger throat as it is not much bigger than the Des. 1. You get free training with your Viking machine and continual help so it is great for a bigger or new quilter.
I also have a Mega quilter and table for my quilting, it is a low end price range for a long arm. I would say buy the biggest and best long arm you can afford. I would love to get a bigger machine someday but this is giving me lots of practice till I can get something bigger. It is great other than I would like a bigger throat as it is not much bigger than the Des. 1. You get free training with your Viking machine and continual help so it is great for a bigger or new quilter.
11-18-2008, 01:41 PM
#80
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1
My advice, is to purchase by model and not brand. And buy where there is support and repair. Not at a hotel etc. they come through town or the dealer offers this terrific price on a truck load sale. In truth they only have a couple at that really low price. And they plan on selling you up. For instance, When I had my shop there was a flat bed machine, heavy duty that they came through town and sold at $299 or $399. The husbands were so proud of the deal since the dealer paid for a 1 page colored ad. Well I sold that same machine for $99 , yes ninety nine and still made money.
Remember that manufactures suggested retail is just that suggested and inflated so you, the consumer, think your getting a better deal.
Ok I have a janmome gem (11 lb. travel machine) A janome professional 6500, a bernina 950 (commercial). along with a couple of old white brand. Heres the scoop. The gem, I love it and use it all the time. That little guy is tough and has guts. The 6500 professional. WHAT A MISTAKE. it is a wimp, does not like to sew through several thicknesses and bogs down. I don't like the stitch formation when machine quilt with it or applique. Big price difference. Between the 2. they were both bought at the same time. Since I sew for a living, and was so dissappointed with the 6500, My hero/husband, went and got me the bernina 950. Now that one is my babe, but it isn't for every one and certainly is not portable. After all it has a 1hp motor and if i remember can do up to 3000 needle strokes a minute.
In essence, shop by model specific. Double check prices, and make sure what your wife wants to do with it. Is she going to travel with it, quilt classes, if your retired and have a summer or winter retreat is it going with you? Can she carry it?
Good luck
Lorraine
Remember that manufactures suggested retail is just that suggested and inflated so you, the consumer, think your getting a better deal.
Ok I have a janmome gem (11 lb. travel machine) A janome professional 6500, a bernina 950 (commercial). along with a couple of old white brand. Heres the scoop. The gem, I love it and use it all the time. That little guy is tough and has guts. The 6500 professional. WHAT A MISTAKE. it is a wimp, does not like to sew through several thicknesses and bogs down. I don't like the stitch formation when machine quilt with it or applique. Big price difference. Between the 2. they were both bought at the same time. Since I sew for a living, and was so dissappointed with the 6500, My hero/husband, went and got me the bernina 950. Now that one is my babe, but it isn't for every one and certainly is not portable. After all it has a 1hp motor and if i remember can do up to 3000 needle strokes a minute.
In essence, shop by model specific. Double check prices, and make sure what your wife wants to do with it. Is she going to travel with it, quilt classes, if your retired and have a summer or winter retreat is it going with you? Can she carry it?
Good luck
Lorraine
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