Do I need an expensive machine?
 

Hi, I have been quilter for 12 yrs I am finally at a skill level where I am able to win ribbons at quilt shows. However, I am worried my 12 year-old Viking Quilt Designer 2 is not "good" enough of a machine to allow me to improve my skills. Do I need a modern sewing machine (over $1,000+) to get a better quilt or is it all in the sewer's skills?

I'm thinking the skill is what it is about, as long as your machine sews a good stitch and doesn't have tension problems. I found that having lots of room is helpful. My Janome 7700 has a lot of room.

What would a new machine have that your current machine is lacking that would help you improve your skills? Variable speed, needle down, knee lift, larger harp/throat etc. Things like these are nice but would they improve your skills? After analyzing this I'd take some practice pieces of fabric and thread and go test drive some different machines. Take a sharpie and write on your test pieces what machine you used and then compare the different samples. Don't forget to make on using your current machine. Sometimes it's more a matter of wanting a new machine rather than needing one and that's OK too.

If you want a new machine, go for it. I'm not sure I understand the "matching your skills to a machine" line of thinking., but I do understand the love of good tools.

What skills are you trying to develop that include much more than regular straight stitches? (as in a $24 dollar second hand Brother)

The only reason I can think of to need or want a new machine to improve skills at quiltmaking is if the old one doesn't work and can't be fixed or if you do machine quilting and larger harp space makes it easier to do larger quilts. Otherwise a treadle machine does acceptable piecing.

Spending $$ does not improve your skills. People sewing on older than they are vintage machines are creating beautiful quilts. As long as your machine has a nice even straight stitch and you are comfortable with it I can think of no reason to replace it. When I bought my Viking designer one the guy in the shop told me I would never wear this machine out... I've sure tried :-) I can not imagine ever wanting to replace it, when I am gone I bet one of my granddaughters will continue to use it. Save your money for maybe skill building classes , patterns & of course fabric! ;-)

One of my machines was made in the 40's and the other in the 70's. I had a "modern" machine, but did not replace it when it died. The older ones are great. Very quiet and powerful. Don't think you have to have a expensive machine with all the bells to do good work. All you need is a machine that works well.

The only machine I would want is a LA and since I know it's not in my budget. I'll stick to my DM and HQ for I'm not looking to put any quilt in a show. I love to quilt to see people happy and use and abuse them. But thats just me. Good luck on your choice for I see some many good opinions here in which I've taken to heart too.

I won a lot of ribbons even at bigger competition with my Bernina 1530 which I am still quilting on her. Not in competition any more because I am disable but I can still piece charity quilt tops. But you don't need laser light or automatic thread cutting to win unless you want to have one of those computerized long arm quilting machines that automatically quilts. I can understand in getting a larger throat. If you want to up your skills, I would suggest finding a class that will help you achieve that. They would most like be at major quilt shows. Good Luck !!

If your machine sews without any problems or frustration to you then it's all you need. My quilt friends keep urging me to buy an embroidery machine. I learned to do machine embroidery on my grandmother's old straight stitch Singer. No expensive embroidery machine needed, just skill learned. There is a group of classic machine embroiders . Look at the pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1421958014741838/ Drool!!!!!

There are some current well-known quilters (Jinny Beyer, for one) that hand stitch some of their quilt tops.

So - if you WANT a new machine - for whatever reason - and can afford it - go for it.

If your current machine is sewing decently - then the "skill improvement" with piecing is with the user.

If it's embroidery that you are wanting - that's a whole different story.

I have several machines. .... from $5 vintage that works great to a $$$$ Viking with embroidery. What do I use for my quilting???? mostly the vintage machines. I used the Viking for everything before I started finding vintage but the stitching on the vintage machines is superb. FMQ on the Viking leaves tucks on both the front and back no matter what I do to keep the layers smooth. FMQ on my 1952 Singer 15-91 is a breeze.... no tucks.... smooth as a mirror.

I believe that the quality of your work depends more on your skills than the machine you use (with a few exceptions like the tucks with the Viking). But, I totally understand the desire for another machine.

While the machine MAY have something to do with the quality of your quilts, I believe that it's the QUILTER'S ability which makes all the difference.

I just listened to a podcast from someone who's judged quilts at shows. She said the judges are looking for perfection in workmanship of the piecing and that the quilt is evenly quilted. One of the things she mentioned is that the tension is even and not pulling the thread too tight on the back of the quilt. This info made me feel I'd have a chance at an award because I assumed the beautifully quilted longarmed quilts got more points! If your machine has a good consistent tension, any machine could achieve award winning quilts (in my opinion).

The skill is in you the machine is the tool. If you can't or the machine is not mechanically capable because of incorporating certain stitching or size, then you may want to consider a newer machine. See how far you can go with your current machine. But is it actually the fact you really want a "newer with more bells and whistles"? I've seen quilts come off really pricey modern machines that I wouldn't give you the money of the fabric for because of the sewer's skills which were low leve/beginner/inexperienced. It's all in your hands!!

No, I don't think so. Skill is a matter of practice, not a matter of machine. You can do lots of great stuff on vintage machines that have solid stitches. If you are thinking about expanding techniques or frustrated shoving large quilts through a small harp, then you might consider upgrading. But I don't think the latest and greatest machine leads to better quilts. I do all my piecing on mechanical Berninas. I do quilt on a Sweet Sixteen now, but that is because of the harp space it allows. I did not invest in the stitch regulator.

Cheers, K

I agree with all of the above. I have an expensive machine and my skills are just as bad as they ever were.
A nice stitch on a machine you are comfortable with is most important.

The machine doesn't make the quilt, the quilter makes the quilt. If you are able to win on your's I'd say it's perfect.

You can make wonderful quilts on any machine, but I say have the best machine that you like and can afford. I'm bad about always wanting the latest and greatest machine, but I still use my cheapest machine the most, my Brother PQ1500.

I don't think a more expensive machine will change your skill level. I might make it easier to do somethings based on features but people can be phenomenal quilters on basic machines. I have gotten better over the years but I feel it is because I takes classes and try to learn as much as I can. I have made nice quilts on all my machines even my mechanicals

Buying a new machine does want me desire sewing for a while and not having to hassle with issues of an old machine can improve my attitude while sewing...but your skills are yours and I bet you will bring home ribbons on any machine...but you could enjoy it more until the novelty wears off!