FMQ machine on a budget
 

And when I say "budget", I mean cheap!

I don't like vintage machines. I've tried FMQ on a bunch of different machines, and only had luck on one and it broke! I have a good sewing machine, but it skips stitches when I use free-motion. I need a very inexpensive machine - new? - for around $100. Extra throat space is not too important, because I'm used to what I have on my Janome now.

I'm seriously considering a Project Runway machine. Either the Brother CE5000 ($110) or the Brother LS2300PRW ($50). Does anyone know if they are good at free-motion?? Or have any other suggestions?

Not really sure, do the feed dogs drop for quilting?

The feed dogs don't have to drop for quilting, just set the machine at no stitch or 0 stitch length. What kind of needle are you using in your Janome? Perhaps a different type, as in Universal, or top stitch, or embroidery or something along those lines would work better, sometimes the hole size will make a difference with the stitch so I change the needle on my Janome Kenmore. I use Schmetz and have a variety of needles available.

I recently bought a Brother 80-Stitch Limited Edition Project Runway Computerized Sewing Machine from Walmart. It was priced at $149, but I had a coupon from something else that brought it down to $109. So, if I had to say anything about the machine it would be that it's cheaply built. BUT, for the money, guess I can't complain. I bought it to use for classes, and because my Pfaff was in the shop at that time. I think I'm spoiled by my Pfaff and just had to put it back in the shop for repairs again so am using the Brother PR again. I still am not crazy about it, but it sews, and the feed dog does drop on it. At least I can keep working on my current project. The Brother is very light weight, so moves around slightly when sewing a lot. The thread spool holder can be annoying in that you have to remove the end cap before you can put the holder into the closed position if you want to put the machine in a case. The needle area could be a bit higher...it's difficult to get your fingers in there to change a needle or to grasp the thread when threading the needle. Oh, and let me not forget to mention that it comes with a little...little round "screwdriver"! It's a round disk, about the size of a silver dollar and has a small hole in the middle and one edge is slightly protruding. This is supposed to work as a screwdriver...uh...NOT! Again, the area you need to work in is very tight and the "screwdriver" is difficult to hang on to and keeps slipping out of the screw head. By the time I can get the screw loosened I'm not in a very good mood! lol The feed dog seems a bit "off"...seems to push the fabric to the side. The foot pedal doesn't always engage the machine, but when it catches the machine "takes off"!!! Anyway, I'd have to say it's a very basic bottom of the barrel machine. BUT is a backup if needed. I haven't tried FMQ with it. (haven't tried FMQ with my Pfaff, either! lol) = (

If you buy cheap you get cheap. I don't know of any new machine for $100 that will do machine quilting for very long. All new sewing machines for $100 are sold to be craft sewing machines. You may find a vintage 301 for a couple of hundred and that machine is great for machine quilting.

I just brought a LB6800 that I have to send back to Amazon for a replacement. It malfunctioned out of the box and I am so sad because I had time to play with it but couldn't. I hope the replacement works right.

I paid $100 for my used Simplicity Quilter's Classic and do lots and lots of free motion on it. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get good results - you need to spend wisely. ;) What needle are you using? Thread/weight? Skipped stitches are more than likely an issue of needle/thread combination, needing a new needle, or a nick on your needle plate.

I've liked my cheapo brothers, excellent for piecing. Haven't tried quilting, but I know some on here with these machines have. For 100 bucks you are not going to get much. I would say if you are looking for something nice I would at least save up a good 500 will buy you a more durable machine that will last longer.

I like my cheap Kenmore that was about $179 new 5 years ago and it does a good job FMQing. I understand some Kenmore machines are made by Janome? Maybe find a used Kenmore?

I have plenty of used machines, they just aren't working out for quilting. I'm saving up for "the big one" but wanted something I can use NOW. I have too many projects that straight quilting lines aren't going to look good with!

I have a Janome and I do have to adjust the tension. Are you using the same thread in top and bobbin. Sometime mines will skip if I don't use same thread. I use mine all the time.

I do most of my FMQ on a cheap dinky mechanical Brother, Costco version, which is now about 9 years old. I set the stitch length to zero and don't even bother with the supreme slider anymore. I think I am getting better but that is operator issue not the machine, which I have been very happy with even though it is "cheap" and not "Vintage". I do have three vintage machines but would keep this little Brother first.

YOu said you didn't want vintage, but how about used? I would go to a sewing machine dealer and see what they had available in their trade in area. Normally they provide a limited warranty.

Hmm, I do use the same thread in the bobbin as in the top, I have tried a number of needles with it too. I think it *might* be the machine, because I have other issues with it too (the only one I can think of right now is that I can't turn the hand-crank in reverse when the bobbin case is in it). It's a picky old thing.
I don't mind used at all, as long as it comes with the accessories and feet and stuff. And as long as it doesn't give me issues when I quilt!! Not sure I could find anything at a dealer in my price range, tho. I'll call around today and see what I can find.

I bought a Brother at WalMart for $199. Just to use for class. Cause my Janome 9000 and ULT Brother"s are too heavy to carry to classes. Have used it for 2 years now and have had to replace the bobbin case, It skipped stitches and I could tell it was worn some. Did lots better after I installed the new case. I love the stitch quality and have made 6 quilts on it. Use decorative stitches instead of SID and it works great.

That could be the cause of my ills with my Janome, too. I might replace that some day down the road too. I've had to take my Drimel to it more than once to smooth it down, and it just doesn't fit in there the way I think it's supposed to (not because of my filing!)

Not sure you really need a new machine.

Do you have a Janome dealer near you? If so then take your machine to them and explain all your different issues with the machine. They should be able to (1) check your machine and (2) instruct you in how to do each of the functions, including FMQ.

They may even steer you to a class in FMQ. Or you can check with your LQS's for a FMQ class. I think a 'hands on' FMQ class would be best.

ali

When my beloved Janome was in the hospital, I bought the $149 Brother at Walmart - has a light purple design on it and a little extension table. I don't particularly care to do my piecing on the Brother because I'm spoiled by Janome, but the machine is a Hoss at FM. Now, I know that it's basically what is called a "throw-away", not really built to last, but I can tell you that I ran it for hours and hours doing free-motion and it only broke the thread twice, most likely due to operator error. Now that my Janome is back, the Brother sits on a side table but I break it out every time that I'm ready to do free-motion!

I've had the LB6800 on my wish list and have been waiting for the lottery to be kind to me so I can buy it. Now I'm beginning to rethink the whole machine. Could I ask who the seller was? You can PM me if you like with the info.

I'd probly look for something used. Good Luck on your search!

I learned FMQ on my Janome and found that if I used good quality thread it made all the difference. I had bought a Guttemann for the class and it didn't work well at all but when I changed and used a Mettler it worked splendidly!

Ashley,
Try a vintage machine that doesn't have a drop-in type bobbin, for me FMQ works better on a machine that has a class 15 type bobbin case. Its either in front or on the side of the machine. $100 for a new machine won't be a very good machine, I sell new machines; you need to spend at least $300-500 for a decent machine. A Singer 15-91 is awesome for machine quilting.

I have an old Pfaff 1222E, a recent ELna 2100 (bottom line) and an inexpensive Janome 8050 from Hancock's. All of these machines will do nice FMQ if you work with the tension - correcting a bit at a time - and if you use good thread. You can't really use the heavier cottons in the bobbin on any of these machines except the Pfaff - it will take even the heavier C&C variegated cottons. I use Masterpiece in the bobbin and King Tut or C&C on top on my Janome 8050 and got the tension to work very very well indeed. Use a topstitch needle - I love size 14, but some use 12, and then if you buy the Janome low tension bobbin case, it is even easier to regulate tension to a lower number on top. I do think almost any machine can do FM with some work and the right combo of threads. I've done lots of small projects between these several machines over a couple of decades before I decided to actually do a whole quilt.

Mm, ok, everyone has talked me out of it. I need to fix my sick machines and get back to quilting. I don't want to fudge with my Janome too much. I have 2 vintage machines in addition to my 2 main ones. I don't like the Singer at all, and the Necchi is locked up. I haven't figured out why, but I haven't spent a lot of time with her either. I think I'd like her, because she's a little bigger, and she takes the same feet I already have. Singer doesn't. The Janome is the only one I have with a drop in bobbin, which is another reason I like to keep her around for sewing, instead of quilting

Thanks all!

Do you have the option of renting time on a long arm? Perhaps a LQS would have that available. Is there a quilting buddy who can loan you a machine to finish your projects?

I have this one (Brother cs6000i) and use it for FMQ with no problems. It gets great reviews on amazon if you want to read over them, and comes with all the right feet/attachments, too.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Afford.../dp/B000JQM1DE

Edit: Sorry, just saw that you had changed your mind. Disregard my post, lol.

That's ok! It's out of my budget anyway!

I had a lol (a LOT) of problems with my Janome skipping stitches, and not just when FMQing. I finally broke down and got it serviced, and was relieved that the problem was not operator error (I hate when that happens). Turns out there was something significantly wrong and the guy had to do a bunch of work from under the machine. Anyway, it now sews like a dream. Whew!

Be sure you're using the right needle (a topstitch needle in size 12 or 14, depending on thickness of thread), and try various settings of your tension.

My Janome really likes fine poly thread (like Bottom Line) in the bobbin. If the machine is happy, so am I. I sometimes use it in the top too.

Having said that, service on your Janome could well cost $100, but you should end up with a machine that is hard to beat. It's unlikely that a cheap machine would do a better job.

Or you could look for a good used machine...but even then I doubt you'd get one for $100 unless you're lucky.

Good luck!

Well, this Janome is a $200 one, and I got it used for $40, so I didn't expect too much from it! It's not worth putting any more money into. But it's fine for what it is! My Pfaff is the one I'd get fixed if I could afford it!

You started out by saying you don't like vintage machines and that you were on a tight budget. You might consider looking at this http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5340842 and scroll to post #725. I purchased 2 of these machines for $100 and $75. They are metal parts which is by far better than any $100 plastic parts machines you can buy new. JMHO:) But, post #725 is worth looking at.

I just finished my first FMQ with my Janome 2011. My first try with a Universal needle was terrible. It skipped stitches. I then tried a Microtex Sharp Needle 90/14 and I had no more skipping.

What I like a out theBrother machines ( I would imagine other machines have this, but I am not familiar with them) is that you can run the machine without pushing the foot pedal. You take out the foot pedal plug from the machine and push the button to do embroidery and it runs. It s a nice, even speed, so if you are FMQing, it helps that you don't have to worry about how fast you are going or control the speed yourself. It takes some practice, like anything with FMQing, but I think it's a nice feature of the machines .

I have been using a Brother CS-60001 for several years now. Found it at Walmart on sale for $129, marked down from $249. It has been a workhouse, cheap price, yes, good machine? You Betcha! Have not done FMQ on it but my classmates have.

I also have a Phfaff that is a mid arm and it has been to repair twice since I've had it and my Brother has ne ver been to repair.
So I would say buy what you can afford, treat it well, and enjoy.

delma

The best thing to prevent skipped stitches with FMQ on any machine is to use a size 14 Stretch needle, the longer scarf help prevent the thread from jumping. This was from a Brother tech years ago & I can't FMQ without a stretch needle, makes it goes fast & easy.
So I suggest that before you buy a new machine try a new pack of needles.
Personally I don't think you find a machine good for FMQ in your price range. But I do love the inexpensive Brothers to take to class, travel, back up machine but use a sturdier machine for FMQ.
The Brother 1500 staight stitch only machine is wonderful for FMQ, I think they go for about $750 new, you might get lucky & find a used one, they have been on the market for approx. 10 yrs.
Maire

My 1940s Necchi did a good job of FMQ when my Singer 301 was experiencing a problem with the cord. Tear the machine down as far as you can and oil it well. It may be just dry or have some thread jammed in the bobbin area. Which Singer do you have? Some like to FMQ, some don't.

the Singer is a 206k and I don't have a quilting foot for it. I may take the Necchi apart tonight or tomorrow and see. I just got it last week and it's really purdy but I'm not happy with it yet!!

FMQ machine on a budget
 

[QUOTE=jkwynn;5343156]I have this one (Brother cs6000i) and use it for FMQ with no problems. It gets great reviews on amazon if you want to read over them, and comes with all the right feet/attachments, too.

Not sure I'm doing this right but here goes! I'm glad to hear the positive things about this model! I have several vintage machines, esp a Necchi Supernova with cams, but none that do a blanket stitch for applique. So I got the Brother cs6000i last year. Tried it out to check the stitches but haven't gotten back to it yet. Seems like life keeps interfering with my sewing plans! Have big plans for some applique and my sample stitches look like it will do what I want. I read the review on Amazon and then got it at Walmart. As I remember it was about $160. It has some neat features that I like, as someone mentioned not having to use the foot pedal esp. Mine came with a walking foot and embroidery foot too. Used my Christmas gift card at Connecting Threads to get some strips to make a 1600 type child's quilt and put some applique on it. Good to hear it does well with FM quilting too!

I love Sindy R's site, http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/ for applique, and Wendy Shepherd's Ivory Spring blog at http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/ . She does beautiful applique....on a Bernina, which I can't aspire to but she sure is inspirational....and has tutorials there too.

P.S. I tried to upload an avatar, clicked on Save chgs, got msg Upload failed. What happened? Thanks!

Polly

Well, I guess the avatar thing worked since Tinkerbell is there! Polly

I have a project runway, good for piecing but i agree cheap machine. It sits in the closet as ba c k up machine!! Can u save I p for an older machine? Ive used my 15-91 and oolder singer, havent done a lot of fmq though.

I agree with Bellaboo, I love the Singer 301 for FMQ and machine piecing. It is a vintage machine and it sure is a honey!! I have a Janome and a Brother but my little old Singer can run stitches around them all, no fancy stitches but I use my other machines for those. You may be able to get one for a little over a hundred dollars and it would be worth the extra to get it. Good luck!