I have read through this post and it makes me sick to think that a 'teacher' would look down on the machine that is being used by a new student! They should be concentrating on the student and any good teacher, should be able to teach the basics on any machine purchased from any location. Insisting that they pay for the class, ok, I can understand that because they didn't buy the machine from the dealer and most dealers give complementary starter classes if you purchase a machine from them.

I look at it this way, buy what you can comfortably afford, if that means a machine from Walmart, then buy it, if it means a 10k TOL machine from a dealer, then buy it. It is what makes you happy and you don't have to apologize for using the machine you love. Lots of quilters use vintage machines. Lots of new quilters use the machine that was handed down to them from their mother or grandmother. You don't need all of the bells and whistles to do this craft (dont get me wrong, they are nice) but they are not necessary. If your machine can sew a straight stitch and is in good working order and you are comfortable with it.. USE IT and be proud of it!

Machine snobs.. give me a break, geese!

About 3 years ago when I decided that I was going to learn to quilt I bought a Brother XR-9000 from Amazon. It was a factory refurbished machine and was a good price for me. I bought it because it had the drop feed and there were lots of different decorative stitches. This little machine has ran perfectly and I've never had a problem with it. It's light enough to pick up & take anywhere. It is my go to machine when I piece my quilt tops. The only problem is the small throat space and the fixed size in the numbers & alphabet. I have bought a used Juki & frame to do my quilting. I have actually looked at the SE-400 for the embroidery functions. Please, let me know how you like this machine. Debbie

Personally, I love anything Brother, so get what functions you dream about. I also use a Juki on my frames and it works wonderful! I used to do embroidery, but have strayed away from it so the embroidery functions are not my cup of tea anymore. I cant justify paying that much for a machine if I am not going to use the functions to the fullest. JMHO Buy what you can afford and the features your looking for at the time is my motto (but I own 8 machines....just saying ;) ) LOL

Susan, I have 3 machines (a 1953 Singer 15-125, my Brother, & the Juki) and my husband thinks that is overkill. Can't wait to tell him that Susan from the board has 8! I keep asking him "How many golf clubs does it actually take to play golf?"...ha. Debbie

I have often wondered how many different types of wrenches it takes to fix a car myself.. then he asks me how many spools of thread do you need to make a quilt.. ok, he wins this round! LOL

You payed the extra fee so she should not down talk your machine. I would approach them and let them know you are not comfortable with the way you are being singled out.

As for quilting and what sewing machine is best, all you need is one that you can get a good consistent 1/4 inch on and if you like wonky, all you need is one that sews a line. Enjoy your Brother machine. I bought a "mass" produced Brother quilting edition for a dear friend over Amazon and send it to her on the other side of the world. She is loving hers. I bought it because other people over all liked it very much.

AAAhhh, gotta love our dear hubbies, eh??..:) I have my quilting, he has his woodworking, fishing, and hunting.. I talk "quilt", he talks "shop", and we both are quite content...

This is the one that I sew with. There isn't anything that I have found from fine lace to leather that this won't sew through like butter. I'm in love if its possible to be in love with a machine :)

http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewin...0#.TyR1usU1_NU

Took a class at the LQS. Three ladies came with their super-duper highest end Vikings which they could barely get in the door. We spent the beginning part of the class with the instructor showing these ladies how to change the tension and do other simple things. They were so intimidated by these machines they were afraid to touch them.. I could not help but think someone oversold them.. They would have been better off with much simple machines of any kind.

I have the simplest Elna they make. I know other people who have much fancier machine. My sister has an old singer that if she bought a good machine like it today it would cost her over $3000. She never uses it.

I am tired of people who are like this. We went to buy a replacement computer last month. I have my laptop and all we need it a simple computer for my dh to do his emails and some small things, nothing fancy. The guy gave me all kinds of attitude because I wanted one of the simplest towers that they had. I just didn't back down. My sons who love computers agreed with me that this is the one that we needed in the house.

I know they are trying to sell the high end machines but don't get an attitude when someone knows what she wants.

Machine Snobs are directly related family members of Quilt Police. Don't allow either one into your life for a minute.

I have a Pfaff from the 70's that is an absolute workhorse. I've thought of getting a new machine, but my old one just WON'T QUIT WORKING.

So, when I got ready to buy a serger, I found one of the exact vintage and brand on Craig's list, and paid only $100 for it. Downloaded the book off the internet, and once I got the thing threaded, it works like a charm.

Not everyone has several grand sitting around with which to buy an expensive machine. And that snob at the store who made you feel bad should be fired. I own a retail store, and if I found out one of my employees made a customer feel bad, I would be very, very angry. Livid.

Sounds downright rude to me. Everyone there would know who she was referring to. Sounds like a case of making her product look good by putting the other guy down. I've never liked those kinds of sales tactics. If you're happy with your machine that's all that matters. Don't let it bother you.

Ok, anyone one near Richmond,va. All brands is the place to go: I have been going their a long time now.
You can use any sewing or sewing embroidery machine. They will bring it in & out for you for service or class, bought their or not. They work on any sewing machine, order parts, clean, etc. They also sell vacums & service them. You can take trips on a bus to Quilt shows with them & they stop at fabric outlets. Most teachers do not work in the store. Their are some free classes, how to classes, quilt, bags, shower curtains, embroidery,etc. They answer your questions, help you figure what you need, some classes like Diva day with lunch. I like it. They have PJ nights, classes for kids, kids camp in te summer, etc.

My DD just bought a new machine on Amazon, and she loves it.It's a Brother embroidery quilting machine, and it came with a DVD with instructions on the machine and how to clean, oil,and basics.She doesn't care what kind of name it has, it's what she wanted in a machine.

Shop elsewhere
 

I have had the SE400 for a couple of years and LOVE it. Before that I had the SE270. Although, I have to admit I've used it mainly for embroidery work. I also have made about 75 of the Craft Apple Patchfolois and have had no issues. I did want to take it in to have a good cleaning and the one big place that used to service Brother machines actually moved out of state for personal reasons. I visited one of the other local shops and inquired about a cleaning and the oh so professional lady told me "Honey we don't service those low end things. We only sell and service good machines." Not kidding, those were her exact words as she literally snurled her nose. Haven't set foot in the Bernina place since and probably won't. The other place I refuse to shop is one of the largest quilt shops in the area. The first time I shopped there, a lady kept following me around. First floor, second floor, back to first floor. Made me very nervous because she wasn't looking at any fabric, just watching me. I finally got some nerve and asked her if I could help her. She said to me "We have to keep an eye out for shop lifters". :mad: What tha? Yep she was an employee and basically told me she thought I looked like a thief! Needless to say I was absolutely livid and told her exactly what I thought before leaving. I don't care if it is the largest fabric shop in 50 miles. They will NOT get my business, ever.

I finally found a good local shop. First time I went in they were extremely friendly, helpful, and not the least bit snobbish. I told the owner about the machine I had and asked if they offered classes to those with Brother machines. She actually giggled and said that a teacher worth their salt can teach on any brand of machine, even a manual model. Explained to me that quilting is the skill of the person, not the machine. Said she knows a woman that makes absolutely awful quilts on a top of the line machine and another woman that makes perfect quilts on a machine older than I am. This is my new favorite shop.

I recently decided to purchase a machine just for sewing and quilting and keep my SE400 for embroidering. Did I look at the popular expensive machines? Yes. Did I buy one? Nope! Went with another Brother and bought it at Wal-Mart. I could afford one of those fancy machine with all the bells and whistles but I prefer to look at it like I look at my car: I could afford to purchase a new car but I prefer to keep my 13 year old car with 250k miles on it. It runs just as well as when I bought it and still gets over 35 mpg. And the seat is molded to my rear! It may not be the prettiest thing or have all the bells and whistles of the new models but it does exactly what it is supposed to do and I am extremely comfortable with it.

Auntnana, I loved your whole note-you sound very wise.
I love Brother machines, from low end to high end, they are all great. I have a Brother low end from Walmart that I keep at my youngest daughter's home & whenever I visit I catch up on their mending, do projects when I'm there for a long visit, etc. Love it & always excited when I get it out again. I also have a low end Walmart Brother here that I use for classes, charity projects at the church, also does great. And I have a Brother TOL from a dealer & a couple more in between Brother's. I love them all. My local dealer has never put down my Walmart Brother's, in fact I take one to classes at her shop, never a negative word. Of course I do spend money at her shop & she knows I tell others about her shop & tell others how great Brother machines are.
A wise dealer never puts down other machines, it keeps customers coming back.

I love my Brother machine. It sews like a dream.

I am glad my dealer is not like that I buy what I can afford and to buy a more expensive machine prove to me that its worth my money or just show me how to use what I have and sell me lots of fabric and notions

I had the same experience, but not with a machine - it was just by striking a conversation with a shop owner on Long Island's north shore - not even a ritzy area! The woman was a total snob when she realized that I was asking 'beginner' questions. I have always sewn and crafted, but had only started quilting just before my visit to that shop. She made me feel like an intruding lower class citizen and have never returned there. A shame really, for her, because I spend A LOT OF $$$ on fabrics now!!

Since this post I have bought a Bernina and not from the local dealer. She was excited for me that I had a Bernina and not snobby at all I didn't buy it from her shop. It was a one time buy I couldn't pass up and she understood that.

I have had a similar thing happen to me I bought a Bernina 440 of ebay. I read the description very carefully and when I went to collect it I knew it had hardly been used and was a great bargain. When my DH went to the local sewing shop to buy me more bobbins the shop owner was very short with him. Went on about no guarantee etc. I knew all this and took my chance. I think he was a bit cross that I had not bought it from him. I am very pleased with my machine, don't care that its not brand new, but know that the previous owner had looked after it. If we are happy what does it matter what other think. Just enjoy your machine and don't worry.

I agree, Jackie. If they were the owner and made a 6 figure income would your reaction be different?

I agree with you 100%!

I agree here as well! Good point as the person giving the class didn't make any sense--mass produced? (as if all machines weren't produced in a factory? They aren't hand-made are they?) :)

Thirty some years ago I bought a top of the line machine (New Home- now Janome) as I love sewing in High School but my mom knew nothing about machine sewing so I was on my own. My SIL told me she bought a new machine and, you guessed it, it was a Bernina. When I told her I had a new machine too, she told me I had wasted my money, that Bernina was the only machine worth buying. When I started to have problems with my machine, which I now know was due to not cleaning it or replacing the needle (I really didn't know better then) I thought it was because I bought an inferior machine. Years later I discovered that my machine really is a gem and now I know how to take care of it. It has NEVER been in for service, runs like a dream, and does so many things that modern machines boast of. My SIL has had several Berninas, trading up over the years. I do not blame her for her snobery, although it did and still does exist. I blame myself for falling for it, for being too inexperienced to know that a machine had to be cleaned (okay, read the manual) and needed new needles from time to time. Years lost in sewing. But now this is a valuable experience as I realize that it is necessary to have strength in our convictions. That how you react to a situation is up to YOU. For example, if I'm stuck in traffic I can either be angry about it or take it as a part of life. I can't control the traffic but I can control my reaction to it. That is the lesson that I learned and the best lesson you can take away from this awful situation. Yes, that teacher is a fool. Hopefully, one day she will see herself in this situation and realize what's she's done. But regardless, YOU are the one who controls how you react to it, so I encourage you to say, "what an idiot", smile, and enjoy your wonderful machine. Imagine yourself laughing when she made that remark rather than turning red and shrinking in your seat. :)

Thank you for the refresher course.

i bought a se400 brother on amazon for 310 dollars. I love it! I do alot of different embroidery projects on it and they turn out beautifully! I'm keeping it! i hope you have fun on yours like i have fun on mine.
joan
jjmmhh

Been there had that.

I have a high end machine that unless the stars are aligned can give me trouble. But my little 4030 Janome purrs along and never let's me down. Because of this I always take her to classes and smile politely as The Them (as I call them) brag about their flash machines until something goes wrong and the tutor has to fix it for them. It Always happens. And my little 4030 gets another gentle stroke. I wish in fact that the Beach Boys were still around to write a song about my little machine she deserves it. I will post this question now.

It doesn't have to be a dealer to have an "attitude" about machines... owners can also have "attitudes" ... When I bought my first Viking, 32 years ago, it was not top of the line but the fact that it was a "Viking" put me in a higher standing with other seamstresses... yeah... just owning a Viking was a status symbol... so stupid. I just wanted a good machine and after trying several different brands over the course of about 2 years (I had my Featherweight that I got at age 12) so I wasn't in a huge hurry, I decided to go with the machine I'm still sewing on. Oh and I still sew with my little 1932 Featherweight :D...

Somebody without brains...:)

my local quilt store is a viking dealer, and their classes are for all no matter what machine you use. I have attended classes from a bernina dealer and nothing I had was good enough, including thread , batting and of course my machine. If you like your machine like I like mine no not let it bother you.

YES!! Exactly! I cannot stand machine brand snobbery, burns me to no end! I made a point at my last quilt class to compliment a newbie quilter who was using a "mass market" machine - her piecing was much better than some of the seasoned quilters using Berninas! It is the HUMAN who makes the quilt, not the machine!

I've done instruction in heirloom type sewing. As long as a sewing machine had a basic zig-zag stitch, it was usable and welcome in class. I learned heirloom and cutwork before embroidery machines so older techniques could be applied. You can needle paint with a straight stitch machine, a hoop, and some patience.

I would assume that anyone who learned to quilt before automated machines should be able to teach on any machine.
There are generic outlets for machine parts - so some machines might be able to be fitted with a special foot or single stitch plate if necessary. I remember reading about those with zig-zag plates and nothing else, blocking off part of the needle opening on the plate with tape! Where there's a will, there's a way.

If the store also sells fabric, the store is doing themselves a disservice by limiting machines for quilting. I've hauled my Pfaff 2170 to stores that sell other machines.

FYI - I have an old book on machine embroidery done with the first non-treadle Singers! The stuff is fantastic. All kinds of lace.

I love this thread, and didn't read all the posts, and may have already put my two cents in, but even though I have a Featherweight, treadle, and Singer 66 electric, plus another vintage singer (turquoise) and a vintage Elnita, my "go to" machine is my Walmart Variety Brother - it sews through anything, will take any kind of thread, needle, plastic or metal bobbin, etc. It is about 10 years old and other than when the needle holder fell off, has never been to the shop. They say it doesn't need to be oiled, but every once in a while I take the cover off and put a drop or two of sewing machine oil on the moving parts. I also clean it regularly. I am guessing there must be the dreaded plastic in there somewhere, but I can't see it. I also have two other basic Brothers, one at each of my sons' houses and they both sew like a charm. I can even do FMQ on the Brother. It is getting better with practice, but not because of the machine, but because of me. It always hurts my feelings a little (well, okay, a lot) when people say "Stay away from the Walmart variety Brothers". I am glad we can all have the machines we want and like. I want and like my dinky mechanical Brother. End of vent. Thanks for listening!!!!

This is a expensive hobby so always start out with what you can afford I started with the Walmart Embroidery machine 4X4 hoop Brother PE150 there were no classes near for me lucky I had the internet and joined some groups learned a lot and after 2 or 3 yrs Husband got me the Brother 2003D ULT in 2004 Love this machine bought from dealer but they were too far to take lessons again I taught my self the only Software I had purchased was Embird and I love it for edits and Merging designs now I have a Janome 11000SE and a MB4 so I am hooked just search Internet and try out all the techniques they show you you will be amazed

Hmm I wonder if that womans big mouth would fit under your presser foot so you can stitch up her mouth, that was very rude and insulting not to mention unprofessional of her to make those types of comments. I would go somewhere else next time. A shop owner is there to cater to the customers and their needs, she should keep her opinion to herself and bend over backwards for the customer, you are her bread and butter.

My local repair shop, looks down their noses because I bring in my singer for tune ups. Mine didn't cost a fortune but it works well and has been working for 15 years. They sold me a viking, and it was trash. I don't have to bring my machine in for repairs like the more expensive ones. I am sewing while they wait for their machine to be fixed.

I had the same thing happen to me when i was researching what to buy

I purchased a Babylock Ellure Plus at a local sewing shop. When I took the class to learn more about my machine, one other lady and myself had a Babylock, the rest of the girls had Huskyvarnas (sp) which is their main seller. The lady was not the most helpful, she really focused on the other ladies. Funny thing though, they had alot more trouble working with their machine than I did. The Baby is very user friendly, which I am told so about the Brother. I also seem to learn much better with trial and error by myself. There are some great books on the market, one of my favourites is Nancy Ziemans Machine Embroidery With Confidence.