I have a Singer Deluxe 7025 machine--I bought it for $325 years and years ago. It works just fine. I don't want a new machine. However, it would be handy to have something that made quilting lap size quilts doable. Quilting machines are $1000s! I only need about $500 a year done at the most in quilting. So, unless I took on other's quilting jobs--it'd not be a good investment for me.

Do any of you have a sewing machine you can quilt with? If so, what is it?

i have a janome 8080 that was 2 or 3 hundred several years back. i love it. it came with the even feed foot and i bought some of the extras like the 1/4" foot, hemming foot, etc.

i haven't done a lot of quilting yet, just a few wall hangings. and this picture is an over-sized twin with high loft batting that i stitched in the ditch for my daughter's room. it was kind of a pain, but worked ok since it was simple quilting. it is the last time i'll do the high loft batting though!

i'm pretty happy with my machine. i've sent out two queen size quilts and they were about $100 each. hard to justify buying a machine for that! if i ever have to find a new quilter, it may change my perspective!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s01/Grace4.jpg

I quilt by machine..I only make lap and baby quilts..iquilting these is difficult at times, but I can't afford to send out to quilt. I just have to make it simple enough so as not to get too frustrated. I have a Bernina 153.

Please take a look at the Bailey mid arm machine. They offer some combos with Grace frames and are much more affordable than buying a full long arm for many more thousand dollars.

http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/homequilter.html

You might be surprised at how affordable these can be.

If you spend $500 a year in fees, you can recoup your cost in 4 or 5 years and perhaps earn a little extra cash. How does that sound?

There are several options and a 13 inch will increase your quilting path. Looks good to me.

Does anyone own one of these?

June

I have a Janome Memory Craft 7000 that is 22 years old now, I did my own quilting until my even feed (walking foot) wore out, I have another one coming that we are hoping will work on it...but I am also purchasing a new, middle of the line Pfaff, I really like the IDT feature on Pfaff.

I have sent quilts out to be quilted, the last one cost me close to four hundred dollars for it to be quilted and it was a twin size, not a lot of fancy quilting done on it, stitch in the ditch, cross hatching on the border and a chain down the sashing...three quilts sent out at that price would pay for the new Pfaff...

I have a Brother CS 6000, This is my 2nd Brother. I quilt on my CS 6000 But I meander quilting, and stipple quilting, I've also done a Irish Chain on sashing. But all of this is free motion quilting. I also make my quilts, by the quilt as you go. I also hand quilt. I do not have a expensive machine. Right now at Walmart they have the CS6000 on sale at a real good price. I'm very pleased with it. My older Brother still works. It's about 15 yrs old. This one is 3 yrs old.

I use a VERY old Sears Kenmore for my machine quilting... its the only machine the walking foot would fit on !!!....so its the one I use! works great....I got it in 1974 so its 33 years old

I don't do a lot of quilting, at least not fancy quilting...

So far, my Bernina 830 ($400.00 a few years ago) seems to handle anything I throw at it. Anything. I am almost finished straight line quilting a queen sized quilt with it right now. It's just hard wrestling with that much fabric.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/2480.page

For what you want to do, this machine (and a lot of other heavy duty home machines) will allow you to do straight line quilting very easily. A queen size quilt is a lot more work than a lap sized one (even for my big lap).


A couple of months ago I went to the Pacific International Quilt Show here in Santa Clara. I saw a neat looking little device that you put your machine on. It had four casters that the machine rolled around on and the quilt was suspended up at the sewing level, nicely rolled front and back. About a $150.00 if I remember correct. Just right for three or four lap quilts a year I would think. Then you could get into some fancy axed quilting there for a moderate price.

Did I buy one? Nah, I was feeling poor.

tim in san jose

I machine quilted a queen size quilt on my Pfaff 7570. Of all the machines on the market, I think this has the smallest harp. I have also done several lap quilts on that machine as well. I have purchased the Janome 1600P for the larger harp area, 9" I think, and use it for quilting now.

Helen

Wow--you all have lots of great ideas here. I did search around in my old manual and discovered I'm supposed to have a feed cover--that should help. When I took my machine in once to be serviced, I got a loaner that was exactly like mine. Somehow the drawer in the extension table got switched and whatever was in mine was gone. The feed cover must have been in there. I just found one on some remote website and it should be here in a week. Maybe that will make a difference? I don't care if I just meander about. :) I do not want to do anything fancy--just hold the quilts together :!:

fabricluvr--that is a beautiful quilt and room! Cheerful! :D

Shadow Dancer--$400 for one quilt?? That's a heafty check! :( I've paid a bit over $100 for my queen size ones. Well--they're queen enough for my bed.

I do all my quilting on the machine. I like hand quilting but not very many would get done if I couldn't machine quilt. The frame that John Flynn makes would be great for machine quilting and I hope to be the proud owner of one of those afte I go to the quilt show in Virginia next year.

Shadow Dancer, you are the only person I know who shares a wonderful machine. I have a New Home Memory Craft 7000 and have loved it. I bought it in 1986 saying it would be the last machine I would buy before I quit sewing. Little did I know I would take up quilting.

I used to tack quilts but wanted to see them quilted. Then I wanted something a little more than straight line stitching. I just finished one that way, but still was not happy with the results.

A book I bought through www.half.com "Fast and Fun Machine Quilting"printed by Rodale Press has some very good help and would be a great help to anyone wanting to try more intricate sewing on their machine. I just do not enjoy the struggle with the quilt's weight and bulk.

Oh, I saw a 7000 advertised on eBay and was temped to get it but the seller did not know how it worked, so it might not have done so well. One of the features I love is the script and what an easy way to create labels. WE chose a Great machine! And I bet you love yours as much as I lover mine.

June

I have a 20+ year old Bernina and I do all my quilting on it. King size on down to baby quilts.

DD

I have a 35 yo Viking Turissa, and I machine quilt on it. I do mostly free-motion quilting, and I can do any size. I use that sewing machine for everything from bridal gowns to blue jeans (in addition to quilts!)

Cathe...that's what I'm looking for!! One machine to do everything...if something isn't multi-purpose I can't justify having it. I've got to get a new machine soon though, my poor ole brother is still on its last leg. I've already begged and practically beat it into submission for my last few projects.

I have the Viking with a 10 inch throat, makes all the difference in the world for shoving fabric thru. I paid one thousand for it and it has all the bells and whistles and many stiches. Even has the tack stiche that locks the begining and ending stitchs. The only thing it dosnt have is the automatic thread cutter.

I have an old Singer sewing machine that I use. I have quilted lap quilts but one way or another Im going to quilt my queen size top. I am eventually going to buy a new machine but I love my old singers.
Judy in Ohio

My Janome 6600 Memory Craft will do anything! It went through a King sized quilt like butter. I think I gained muscle mass at the same time wrestling with that huge thing! My Nephew loved it. GiGi

I just ordered the book Fast and Fun Machine Quilting. I have an industrial straight stitch Juki machine that I've tried to sell but haven't now I'm thinking about getting a walking foot for it and using it for quilting. It has a 10 1/2" throat and is heavy duty so it should do a good job. I haven't been doing much sewing for the last few years and haven't needed it because I have 2 other machines too. When I get this book I should be all set.
After I try it I'll let ya'll know what I think about it.

I am glad you asked this question. I was concerned whether I would be able to with my machine also. I don't have lots of money to buy an expensive contraption, and I sure don't have the money to pay others to quilt it for me. That would probably put a halt to my quilting career.... :D I bought a walking foot and am waiting for it in the mail now so I feel more confident trying it on my machine after reading how many people use their machines to do it all. Thanks for beating me to the question :)

I am also glad this question was asked. I cant afford one of them expensive longarm machines. And want to do my own quilting. This gives me some hope that I can do it :mrgreen: .

GiGi--may I ask what your machine goes for? I searched on a site before and there are never prices listed--which means it's too much--but I wanted to have a figure in my head when I calculate the cost of the quilting....in case I need more facts for a persuasive argument someday. :D

BarnBum: I purchased my Janome Memory Craft 6600 first at appx. $1800.00 and then I purchased my Janome five (5) overlock Janome Serger for appx. $1200.00. HOWEVER, my dealer offers six (6) months same as cash. Therefore, I bought each one separately and paid them off within the six months, no interest that way.

I would not trade either machine for another brand. I tried several BEFORE I purchased Janome. The 6600 does everything including fancy stitches and names etc. My serger overlocks, rolls hems and many more options. I don't need anything else to make whatever I want. Both will quilt, make clothes, aprons, wallhangings, etc. I have not had any problems with either. The thing I had to get used to is you use plastic bobbins, NOT metal! It does not feed the bobbin well with metal because it has a magnet in the cylinder for it's mechanism.

I don't regret either purchase. BOTH machines will last me a lifetime. The 6600 has a very long arm for quilting, no worries there. It comes with MANY different feet with three (3) different modes for different stitches. As you can see, it is a joy to sew with both. Hope this has helped. Besides, your worth it!!!!!! We, as women, don't think we deserve the best. HOWEVER, we do. We do so much for everyone else, we don't take time for ourselves.

I related the expense to my husband the same as his tractor. His tractor wasn't inexpensive and he uses it appx. 7 - 8 months a year. My sewing machine was less expensive and I use it 12 months a year. It's all in the presentation.

GO FOR IT, YOU DESERVE IT!!!!!!!!

If you need anymore information, please do not hesitate to ask. GiGi

Hi, new to the forum but not quilting. I'm a Pfaff person, I have a 2056. I have quilted queen size, using the free motion foot. Those of you that can send one out for $100 are very lucky a queen here is close to $200 and that is for meandering. marie

GiGi--well, maybe someday. Husband has been out of work for 6 months and we have 2 kids in college... which we can handle fine, but no way can I add in the purchase of a sewing machine. The cost of the horses is enough!!

However, I can research and be ready when the time comes. :wink: It shouldn't be too long. I bet hubby gets hired this month of this new year. :-)

I use a Bernina 1080. I made two sofa size quilts on it this past year. When I go to the quilt show in Virginia, I am going to get John Flynn's frame. It works with regular sewing machines. I have seen it demonstrated for years at the quilt show and decide that this year, one will come home with me. I am hoping that this will make it easier to do big quilts. My son and DIL have a king size bed and I still may have to do it in sections but it should be easier and quicker than all hand stitching.

I have two Berninas, one 830 and one 155. I love them both and have them for different things. Sadly, the 830 sits a lot more than the 155, but it still gets used.

I have quilted on both of them up to a king sized quilt. (Only did one and never want to do another) I just finished quilting a smaller wall quilt, it was very dense quilting and the machine handled it beautifully. I even quilted with the 830 before we had the quilting foot. I just dropped the feed dogs, removed the presser foot and lowered the presser foot thingy even though it wasn't there, to engage the tension.

Clear as mud, I'm sure, but the point is, it's very doable. Start small and work your way up.

M

I have a Flynn and it is not so good. It comes with baby size poles and that is about all you can do with it. If you buy longer pvc pipe it will take up more room than a regular quilting machine because you feed the thing thru your machine. Can you imagine a king size all on one side of your machine? And you are balancing the whole thing with your hands. You also have to have a table that is long enough to put the pvc that rolls the frame on, which keeps falling off the table. Its not worth it and when I get the funds will invest in a Gracie frame.

I have a Singer 626 Touch and Sew, purchased in 1967 as a wedding present. I was told the parts are all metal and will not likely ever wear out. This is great since I use an even-feed presser foot and quilt by machine. It works fine.

I have a Bernina Aurora 440 Quilters Edition which I love. It has the Bernina Stitch regulator which makes free motion quiliting effortlessly and precise. I can easily machine quilt king size (120" x 120") quilts. It also has hundreds of fancy stitches too. I also bought the optional embroidery module, and full function embroidery capabilities with my personal laptop.

:? It seems this is my answer but I still believe one of the main Manufacturers would see the need and the chance to make more money from Real Quilters!!!

i have the Pfaff Hobby 1200. Seems to me it costs about $1300. it is supposed to have the fastest needle on the home sewing market. i can vouch that it goes pretty fast. it's great for piecing cuz it has this edge that you can set at 1/4 in. on up and the fabric really stays on that edge for an even seam. i said all this before but i just love it. with all the mid priced machines tho you have a very small space to manuver in even when the quilt is on a quilt frame. That limits your pattern. it's great for meandering and stippling and smaller designs. does anybody know anything about the stitch controler by Pfaff???? it's supposed to control the stitches by matching your speed. i wonder if you like it and think it's worth it??

I've vowed to try it soon though for now the hand quilting really does me. The beautiful work I've seen some do with machine is awesome, and I’d eventually like to try my hand at all forms.

I have noticed the Older Machines have longer arms. I have a Singer 10" Treadle/ Motor option. I collect them. The New ones some are like 5" .

I quilt with a Bernia 640 on my Little Gracie. Works great. I piece with a Janome 10001.

;-) Any Machine with a good straight stitch can be quilted on ,Cover your feed dogs with a card or plastic template cut a hole for the needle or drop your feed dogs, put on your darning or quilting foot some quilt without a foot, I like the spring darning foot on my regular machines,and on my Longarm it has a big Industrial Foot like the one that goes on the regular sewing machines. Relax ,Enjoy!!!

Me, me, me. I don't have room for a long arm so I use my Bernina and juki.

I started off with a Simplicity sewing machine back in '92 (around $200). I sewed clothing home decor, etc. Got into quilting, bought the walking foot and big foot. The throat was only like 5". I, indeed, quilted with it. To do this though I ended up using low loft poly or warm and natural. Something that when I rolled up the sides ended up being more managable. Didn't to real fancy, but was able to do more than SITD. Just takes longer. Just go slow.

Now I have a Janome 6600 and love it.