Good, Beginner's Sewing Machine?
 

Hi, all.

I'm looking for a sturdy, reliable machine to being quilting on. My family had one when I was very small, but it was broken by accident. I have no idea what kind it was.

I've been scouring the web all weekend, but it seems that just as I find a machine to fit the bill (my poor wallet), the reviews convince me otherwise. It seems to be about a fifty-fifty split on most of them, too.

As mentioned previously, I'm looking for a machine that will be reliable and easy to use, since I'm a greenhorn. Low cost would be a bonus, since I'm a full time student. What types of machines do you all use? What do you suggest?

I would suggest a older Singer 301 or Singer 400 series. They are made to last and easy to clean and oil. They make great first machines and will last to be your back up machine years from now. They are usually $50-$100. Read the reviews on these machines. I think you will be surprised. No bells and whistles but great stitches and very reliable.

I just got about a month or so ago a brother sq 9050 and I really like it. It's got lots of stitches and quilting functions. However not a big throat but I will hand quilt most of my quilts.

I would get a used machine from a reliable quilt shop. Most of them have trade-ins and will allow you to test drive the machines before purchasing. They will also know the reliability of the machines they have.

Happy quilting!!

Check out www. Tuesday Morning.com. Compare to www.amazon.com for a small Singer.

Depends on your budget. You can buy a fairly descent machine pretty cheaply at stores like Walmart, or you can go to higher grade machine stores and see what they have that you can afford. Many sell used machines for good prices.

I got a Brother SQ9000 from walmart for $200 and love it! It came with all the quilting accessories. I think its the SQ9050 now but same machine just more stitches. I used it for almost 4 years before I got a new machine. I still have it and use it when my baby lock is at the dr. I made a twin size with it and stitched in the ditch to quilt it. It was a tight squeeze but doable.

Get a good used machine. Higher quality at a cheaper price.

I agree get a good machine,used from a dealer gives you the bonus of help and maintenance in the future.
get the best u can afford and u will not be disappointed .
Good luck!

Your best buy would be a used machine. I'm not a big fan of Singer but they are easy to find. If you have a shop in your area that does sewing machine repair, you might check with them, and the local quilt shop. A model several years old of a good brand like Pfaff or Bernina won't cost the world, because it won't have all the bells and whistles that are on their current machines but if you're just getting started, that probably won't be a problem for awhile. You don't indicate what your price range. Just avoid buying a cheap, brand new machine because a cheap machine will be a constant frustration to you while you're learning.

Many of us on this board have had great luck with the basic Brother mechanical machines. I use 4 of them. Two at home, one at each of my son's houses. All different, but basic mechanical. they aren't fussy with thread or if lint gets into the bobbin case, metal or plastic bobbins, etc.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t211326.html

If all you want to do is straight stitch (no zigzag, no fancy stitches) and there is a working Singer 301A among your used advertisements, snap it up. It's a workhorse -- easy to thread, easy to maintain, manual and parts readily available, modern attachments such as a walking foot can be found to fit it .....

If you don't feel confident about assessing machines, do you have any sewing friends that can go with you? Take some pieces of fabric to try out.

I have a Pfaff 1540 and another old Singer. Neither holds a candle to the Singer 301A in terms of usability. The Pfaff has integrated dual feed, which is the bomb for certain tasks, but you pay for that in tension fussiness, complex threading pattern, etc.

I have to agree with the brother sq-9050 from walmart. I have had mine almost 2 years now with no problems, use it for classes and travel and when my big machine is in the shop. It is a good beginnner machine and can serve as a backup when you upgrade. It comes with all you quilting accessories. It is a good little piecer, I don't use it to quilt a quilt because of the small harp, but lap sized quilts should be not to difficult on this machine. someone above did a twin size. and there are techniques for doing it in sections. Good luck with your decision

I just started quilting (and sewing for that matter) in November, and got a Singer Confidence Quilter on sale. It's not a Bernina, and I don't know how big the throat is but I've FMQd a lap quilt on it (and it FMQs very nicely). I'd get it again given the chance. It came with a bunch of feet, including a 1/4" foot and a darning foot for FMQ. On the flip side, I haven't met anyone who doesn't like their Brother.