That's exactly what I was thinking! I would quilt and sew on whatever I could afford - and do! Would I like to have a top of the line machine and long arm quilting machine? Sure - who wouldn't?! But you can make wonderful things with an old, used machine with just a straight stitch. I think the question is not so much what machine will do the job - they all will - but just how much she really wants to quilt, or whether this is just about keeping up with the Jones's. If you spend more than you are comfortable with to try and foster an interest that's not really there, you might find you have to invest in a professional gas range or she won't cook anymore, or a Rolls Royce or she won't drive anymore. Just saying.....

My friend is using an old basic machine from the 60s.... I have a much newer, "fancier" machine and I tell you what... I envy her perfect neat stitches!!! Try looking for a book or magazine article or short story where a quilter tells about learning on an old machine or how she loves a certain vintage machine. I saw an article like this once and wish I could find it for you. This woman had an old machine that she used and she went on to teaching her friends to quilt and sew and each one of them started on her old machine which went home with them as they were learning. It was very sweet and really made you love that old machine of hers. New isn't better!!! I hope your wife will stick with it. Sewing has been the best thing that I learned in my entire life. I have a college degree but I value my high school sewing classes just as much...if not MORE!! And now, sewing is my therapy when when life just gets too stressful and overwhelming! Good for you for encouraging her. That's so kind and caring!

Ditto! Seems like there would be more reason(s) than that to decide not to be a quilter.

I totally agree with this. I started my creative sewing and quilting on a cheap Janome machine. I've worked up to a more expensive Bernina now, but I turned out some beautiful pieces on that Janome. I even won a prize in the Sulky Challenge back in the day with a garment created on the Janome. The fancy stitches and bells and whistles are nice, but they are definitely not essential to creating beautiful garments. It doesn't take the most expensive machine to do your best work. Creativity comes from inside. Not from the machine.

I have a pricy Bernina and an old time Singer featherweight. I prefer my featherweight hands downforce piecing tops. I take my best quilts to a local long arm quilter and have them done. With a walking foot, I quilt smaller things on both machines...still love the Singer. I have looked at several tabletop quilting machines but can't justify the investment. Tell her to enjoy the process, get a machine that sews well and forget the bling. I have had the Bernina for 10 years and still don't know how to do most of what it is capable of.

If the needle goes up and down, you can quilt on it. Quilts were made long before machines to quilt with. Maybe she isn't as interested as you think??

Encouragement
 

I, too, have a Brother CS6000i that I love. I have had it for about a little over a year and have it for my students, and they seem to love it. I teach in my home. I have as my main machine a Pfaff 7570 which we paid $1000 for used and it is approximately 30 years old. I remember seeing it in a shop when it was new. It is the last Pfaff made in Germany. It is 30 years old and it is my main quilting and piecing and sewing machine. The Brother you can buy from Ken's Sewing Center very reasonably, and in fact the one I have is a factory refurbished one (just like new) and I got it from Ken's for $125. Good luck and I do hope she keeps on with her quilting.

I went to a craft fair in Ak. in the early 90's, where I first saw my dream machine, way over my budget at that time. But it in no way kept me from making quilts, stopped counting after 400, well about 4 or 5 years ago I got that dream machine I had fallen in love with, LOL and did not use it for over a year, what if some thing happened to it? then I would not have my dream machine any more. So I got another one for backup. then I could learn how and to use my dream machine, long story short, ended up with 4 dream machines, what I really use on them, the built in IDT, up down needle, straight stitch, yep that is about it,
I had heard so much about the 221 featherweight I started getting them have 5 right now, (gave one to one of my 4H students) and they are really great for nice even stitch, and light weight to take to friends house or guild,
or classes, took 2 on a retreat in Sept. and they are soooooooooooo cute! The best part of the FW 221 is that you can service them your self, I got the book and DVD on how to care for them. saves me about $80.00 each time I would have had to take them in to be serviced. I also have all my 4H students use the FW;s have 3 classes a week, so they get used a lot, and they are ALL metal so will last many many more years. In MHO I would suggest FEATHERWEIGHT, or an older Pfaff with IDT made before 1995, made in Germany. I really love my machines, and would not even think of a high end machine as I would not havea any use for all the bells and whistles, have more of them on my Pfaffs than I will ever use! GET a FW and save up for a mid arm or long arm.
No matter what machine she ends up with if she really wants to quilt, she will, my quilts are no better on my dream machine than the ones I made on my old machines, Pfaff, singer kenmore, it is the quilter that make the quilts. Good luck and it is great that you are so supportive I hope she is of the things you love to do too.

I have been quilting for 10 years and have a 1950 Singer that only has straight stich, Would not trade it for anything else. It was a hole $35, best money I have ever spent.

Persoanlly. I'd let her not get into quilting then. Seems she's never going to be happy, and will always use her not having 'some' fancy new thing as her reason she doesn't do well.
I've been quilting on an old machine, bought in the 80's (computers were just being added and I told the salesman I wanted a MECHANICAL machine)

IMO, I don't quilt to show the talent of my machine, but MY talent.

I have a couple of spare machines, the same model, for parts, and they were in good working condition and less than $100.

As GEMRM said - find out the features your wife likes on her friend's machine, then go to a reputable sewing machine dealer where you can find a machine that will do what she wants at a lower price, and they almost always have used machines for sale. Sewing machines are like cars - your first car doesn't have to be a Jag.

Tell her not to be discouraged because she doesn't have a top of the line machine. I've been quilting/ sewing for over 5 years and I still use my $100 machine my parents bought me when I first started. Yeah it's not the prettiest and it sometimes doesn't sound very nice, but it does what I need it to do. I know some day I'll get a better machine, but for now this is what I have.

Costco has a very nice Brothers machine for under $200 it is a very good machine and has automatic threader and many decorative stitches. I have one and I also have a Janome 6600 that I paid over $1000 for it. If I could afford to buy only one machine the Brothers is the one I would purchase.

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!

I started quilting with a high end machine (Viking Designer 1 - turned out to be overkill for me), sold it, and bought a Pfaff with less bells and whistles. However, I use my 1950 Featherweight more often than the Pfaff for any piecing, but any basic machine with a straight stitch minimum will do.

As others have already stated, the cost of the machine and the bells and whistles do not make the machine nor the quilter. You do with what you can afford. The other option is go to hand piecing, which costs nothing but time and thread. Many people find that peaceful.

I just wanted to add that my first machine was an industrial machine I purchased from Montgomery Wards when they closed their factory in Portland, OR in 1975. It was huge, ugly, in a solid Oak cabinet complete with inkwell for marking patterns I guess, and I made all of my daughter's dresses with it and also my first quilt. It went forward and back only, but I could use it when I was in the mood cause it was MINE! I still miss that machine. The older machines tend to be much more durable and need way fewer trips for repair. Look around under 'vintage machines' here on the board for more info about older machines. Good luck sir.

"she is now saying that she doesn't want to do it at all since we can't afford the machine her friend has"

My thought is, if she loves quilting it wouldn't matter what kind of machine you have. She sounds young, and sometimes you get the best stitches from an older machine that does just straight stitches. and sometimes you can pick those up at yard sales or craigslist for $25.00 Those are very nice to learn on. It sounds like she learned how to use her friends machine, so she would be more comfortable with one like it. I think she could get any kind of sewing machine and she would find all the support and encouragement right here on the board to do some fabulous quilts, its not the machine that makes the quilts great it is the creativity of the operator.

i'm sure that you have gotten lots of good ideas from here. Possibly the same as mine: i know how she feels. My first machine was a new singer my spouse bought for me at the Navy Exchange. I didn't like it, it seemed like i was always fussing with it. I found a used demo machine at a Bernina dealership, bought the machine in 1980, we still use it today and i only had it serviced 4x. Each time after it made a wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. It it okay to go used, just do it with a good machine that has been serviced.
Your wife is blessed to have a spouse who wants her to have a hobby that brings her joy. I'm sure that you will find a way.

Everyone here is right on. It doesn't matter what the hobby/craft/profession is, the skill is in the person, not the tools. Good tools do make the job easier but what is really needed? Personally I like antiques and have pretty much fallen in love with vintage sewing machines.
If your wife likes antiques see if you can find an old machine she can test drive the next time you are together. She might find a lot of joy in using that vintage machine like I and many others here on this forum do. Singer model 15s and thier clones are highly thought of for both piecing and free motion quilting. Singer 201s were THE CADILLAC of the sewing world for many years. You've read many recommendations for Singer model 221 and 222 featherweights as well. They're beautiful machines and on my wish list. I have a Singer model 66 that I love, I bought it for $20 less than a month ago. The going rate for the featherweights seems to be around $250, the others can be had in good shape for far less. You don't need to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars for a high quality machine. Many beautiful quilts were made with nothing more than these basic machines way before anyone had heard of a long arm machine.
Rodney

I LOVE this response! I also started out with a very inexpensive machine and got hooked. My only must haves now are needle down, 1/4" foot and multiple needle positions (this helps get that perfect 1/4"). There are many inexpensive machines that have these options.

I've been quilting for over 35 yrs. and stopped counting the quilts when I hit 300. i'm telling you this because I always used a cheapo machine. my machine I use now cost about $299.99. I never could afford an expensive one, and wouldn't pay for one now. think back to the olden days, most of those were made by hand. she doesn't need an expensive machine. she needs more fabric.

I started with a Brother HS-2000 and quilted everything right up to twin sized quilts on it. It worked fantastic and I still love it! I have a Laura Ashley NX-2000 now which was designed for quilters and that's my new primary machine, but I still use the HS-2000 for traveling because it's really light, but will sew through denim layers easily! Good luck!

High end machines are nice, but quite honestly you only need a machine with straight stitch capabilities to successfully complete a quilt. I am sewing on a Brother Embroidery\Sewing machine I only paid $400.00. This is my third sewing machine. It is a great, easy to operate machine. Since she is just beginner I would encourage her to begin with a simple, easy to operate machine. Technology is great, but sometimes with high tech comes high frustration.

Has her friend led her to believe she can not be successful unless she has the big ticket machine? Some seamstress can become quite opinionated regarding their toys. Go shopping together, evaluate how often you will actually use those bells and whistles when sewing. Purchase the best machine you can afford and use the leftover money to build your stash.

I have seen all kinds of good advice on this entry on today's forum, and have run the gamut of feelings of how much your wife really wants to be a quilter. I give quilting lessons, and can tell after the first lesson if the student will become a quilter, or not. Everyone's advice is spot-on....be as patient with her as you already have been. I have shopped many a time with my husband's "grouchy face" behind me, so at least she is not dealing with that frustration as she pursues a habit that can become the best thing that has ever happened to her. And CL and Ebay are good advice for finding a good machine; my advice would be a vintage straight stitch Singer or clone (looks be damned); and once she masters that, many of the new ones are so noisy that she will not even want to see it demonstrated at the store. Quiet is important to me, and many of the old Singers just whisper when they are stitching.....Good luck to both of you in this pursuit, and keep us posted on what happens.

Fiddlesticks! I don't know why people think they have to own a high end machine to sew mostly straight seams. There are some bells and whistles, like needle down, that are nice but many of us sewed many a quilt when we turned the hand crank on the right hand side of the machine to get the needle in the fabric before we pressed the foot or knee pedal or, if the machine was really old, started treadling. Everyone--except me--on this board is crazy for a Featherweight, which sews only forward and backward.

Wal Mart sells Brother machines, some with decorative stitches (not embroidery) at a very reasonable price. Or go to a dealer and see what he/she has in trade in.

And you mght remind your wife that until very recent history, using a machine for any phase of quilting was verboten. Everything had to be done by hand. Froggyintexas

"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." Wow! I missed that when I read it the first time. If my husband ever told me that he didn't want to do a hobby because we couldn't afford to buy him the top of the line equipment to start out, I'd probably say a "I guess you aren't going to be doing that then" LOL. I didn't even get away with that kind of manipulation when I was a kid!

I would like to echo this observation. I have been in classes with others who have very hi-tech machines that have kept them busy most of the class figuring out how to use, instead of working on their project. A basic machine which works well, has a few features and doesn't run away with her would be the way to go IMHO.

Here's another thing to think about. The more simple the machine, the less trouble to maintain. I've got a painter's brush that I pick up lint with. I've got magnetic bowls for my pins and a telescoping magnetic pin-picker-upper that I don't have to keep away from my machine. I don't have to worry about electrical storms. I don't leave my machine plugged in during a storm, but I don't have to panic is it was left plugged in. Many high end machines must be protected from electrical storms/

So a simple machine not only works quite well for me, I don't have to baby the thing.

I have one of those high end machines purchased in 1997. It has all the bells and whistles, most of which I never learned to do. It also does fancy embroidery, and I didn't learn that either. Aa few months ago it quit on me. The dealer repairman didn't even want to look at it because he said parts were not available. So, I took it somewhere else. That repair man put a fuse in and it worked fine for about two months. It quit again. Good thing I had my mechanical machines that always serve me well. I miss the needle down function but at least the mechanical machines are dependable and reliable so I'm not dead in the water. When my husband has time he will check out my computerized machine. I don't want to keep paying repair men to change the fuse. Something has to be causing it to blow. So -I am very grateful to have the mechanical machines!! They are work horses.

I think you ROCK for being so supportive of your wife and her desire to quilt. The thing that makes quilting fun for me is my husband's support and encouragement of my love of this hobby. In a recent trip to Amish country in Indiana, he went in all the quilt shops with me and helped me pick out fabric! That's a husband that loves me! :). I say all that to say this: keep on encouraging her to continue.

I agree with the others who have encouraged you to check out used machines and to find a reputable dealer. That can make all the difference. Dealers are not dealers for (only) the money. My dealer is in it for the love of sewing and sharing that passion and love for sewing & quilting with their customers! They helped me find the machine I could afford and offered free classes to help me learn my machine! I know your wife just needs to know that the machine she has now is sufficient. Crafty.com offers some great classes about quilting on a basic domestic sewing machine. Everyone starts somewhere. I have two basic machines and they are both awesome. And I have done my first quilt on my domestic machine and it turned out very nice! :D

Good luck!

My DH bought me a used machine the first year we were married (I was 18) -- I'd been hand piecing & hand quilting prior to that. When my mother passed away (I was 23 years old), I bought her machine from my father, and used it till it couldn't be fixed....and cried when I heard the news. I didn't get a nice machine until I was about 42 years old....my Husqvarna, which my DH insisted I purchase when he saw my reaction to the loss of my mothers machine. I got my Bernina when the kids were grown & DH wanted shop equipment. He got his shop equipment, I got my top of the line Bernina...that was when I was about 47. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING would stop me from quilting -- even if I went back to hand piecing and hand quilting. Most of the quilts I make are simple stitching, simple patterns, and each are loved by those I've given them to....THAT is the most important part to me. A quilter is not defined by the fancy tools we use, but by the effort, attention to detail and love we put into each project....just like our quilting sisters of many, many years ago.

I'm going to pursue this with all of the great advice already given. I think it's right on the money. I do however want to clear up a few things.

1. She does not own a machine of any kind. She did a good chunk of this quilting by hand alone.
2. She's been sewing for quite a while. Long before she and I met. Embroidery is her thing and only recently did she discover quilting. She's always done her sewing by hand without the aid of a machine. Every time we go to a craft/fabric store I have to tear her away from the embroidery floss. We rarely escape without purchasing some.

So to answer the concerns of a few: she is not new to sewing. She is new to quilting and sewing with a machine only.

Well, I'm 68 years old. I'm still using the machine my husband bought for me for Christmas in 1963. It is all metal, has cams for decorative stiches, and I've sewed sooooooooo much on it, I'm sometimes surprised that it's still going. I've learned to take it apart (the tensions) and clean it up myself. It's only been in the shop once in my memory and it still sews up a storm.

That being said, if your wife doesn't have a machine of any kind, then I would suggest she start out on a relatively reasonably priced machine. I have eight or nine machines --most of which I've inherited. Not a one of them is newer than the 1980's. I have the buttonhole stitch cam, so I can do machine applique also!

I hope you continue to encourage your wife's creativity. Research the bells and whistles she really wants -- they can be found in fairly inexpensive machines. My 1963 Singer 328K only cost $150 new from the Singer dealer!

Best wishes. Encourage your wife to join this board. Many of us use the "vintage" or even antique machines!

God Bless.

Jeanette Frantz

I have no read all the post, so someone may have already made this suggestion. I would take your wife to a Dealer and maybe take some of your own fabric and ask if your wife could use the machine to get the feel of it. I think once she has used a standard type machine she will change her mind.

Lovingly remind your wife it is the person doing the sewing and not the machine that make pretty quilts. Also ask her if she would rather have an expensive machine or fabric to sew on that machine. As others have said have her pick the features she likes best on the machine. She will probably find that most of the features/stitches on the machine she does not use.You can buy good used machihne on Craigs list or shops due to someone is upgradiing . We all have our "boo hoo " moments when we feel sorry for ourselves due to we can not aford what others have. I can one of those gals. Oh well- on with life!!!!!

What she said....

This is my last thought on this subject. One of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen was done with embroidered squares, set together with sashing. That your wife can embroider, is half way to making one of these for herself, and being able to display and enjoy all of her talent at one time. Please tell your wife that we can't wait to welcome her here and will give her any and all help and answers (hopefully) that she needs, to peruse what could become a lifelong passion as it has for so many of us. She has talent, creativity, and a supportive DH (dear hubby), she is already a quilter, she just needs to learn that for herself. Blessings on you both.

I would suggest a basic machine with straight stitch and zigzag. You should be able to pick up a machine for less than $350.00. Use the remaining monies to purchase a good rotators cutter, a nice size self healing cutting board. What about upgrading the lighting in the room your lucky wife uses! I would rather have upgraded supplies and a sewing room then an expensive machine. Your wife is VERY lucky to have a husband that supports her hobby

EnderWiggen, perhaps your wife really doesn't want to quilt and is using the fancy expensive machine as an excuse to get out of doing it.

Have a heart to heart talk with her about that. If she truly wants to quilt, then she will settle for a less expensive machine and do it. Otherwise, it's just something she thinks about with a bit of longing, but doesn't really want to do.

If she decides she really wants to quilt, she can get a good Brother machine at Walmart for around $200 that has lots of stitches and attachments and a slightly larger throat than the usual 4" on most domestic machines. I recently bought one and it sews wonderfully.

It is, by the way, my 3rd Brother. First one lasted 6 years and then was dropped on it's head while in transit between home and vacation and back - definitely not a fault of the machine. I replaced it with a Brother SE350, that I do love - enough bells and whistles for me, plus, if I ever decide to try embroidery, I can.

There are many good options for quilters these days. We don't need the 'best' machine made, we need the 'best' machine we can afford.