Ignore her, there are rude people all over but, I haven't encountered a snobby quilter (yet). I'd hate to see her expensive machine if she drops it getting it out of the car. I go with my basic Singer, no electronics. It has only failed me once, I took an applique class that wanted us to use a blanket stitch, alas, no blanket stitch, so I waited till I got home. I am a Sulky thread person so, I usually go with that because it's what I have. I don't buy expensive threads because they just aren't available around here.

Next time ask her where her badge is, if shes going to act like the quilt police you should be able to see it!

I *might* listen to suggestions on threads, but as to the machine I use? I'd ask just what it is that I needed the machine to do other than what mine does?

My Viking Sapphire takes any thread. Used Coats and Clarks and Connecting Threads threads and both work fine.
Very happy with my machine.
Also have 2 cheap Brother machines and no thread trouble with them either.

I went to a retreat after only quilting for about 30 weeks. " I was in the group I didn't want it was painting on fabric I really wanted the log cabin group. I took my brother which was okay and sat at the back. I wax terrified but the lady opposite kept telling me what to do in a low whispe she was great. Also a lady from somewhere told me I was using the wrong foot. I did enjoy at the end but the retreat was has not happened since. I did a workshop 3 days at NEC where you find your own accommedation.loved it. Sometimes I have noticed you need to take even the kitchen sink especially when the tutor is coming from somewhere else and only sees the setting when they arrive. The NEC was one small room with 16 in machines supplied , but no room. Luckily we all Worked together ie the ruler we needed only a few of use had one I shared mine with 3othesnand we just sorted ourselves out by working at different speeds.
So friendly classes for both and helpful . Looking at the price sit some of these lately I have thought they are too expensive and not gone.
Enjoy next time and what you sew with is not important. When taking a sewing machine it is always my lightest. Purchased for classes. I'm not a strong man. With one class we jelled better after a fire drill where we had to wait in a closed pub for an hour until fire brigade let us in and we had to talk with no sewing.

I am proud to take my Singer 301 to any group/class. So far nobody has criticized it and many have admired it. If people are making suggestions about thread and other things, I would recommend asking the teacher as long as you are finding her attitude to be positive and you respect her opinion.

To me, sewing machines are like our bodies -- if we have used them for years, we know them better than doctors and quilting experts. That doesn't mean that we don't seek advice from professionals (and sometimes from friends), but we consider it along with our own first hand evidence before doing anything drastic.

I take my FW an assortment of thread, and projects I want to get done. Take the equipment you like and projects you want to work on. Just enjoy yourself. Sounds like you need a different table partner. There are so many things to do and learn at quilt camp, a picky table partner is not worth stressing over.

There are a variety of quilters with a variety of social skills. Use the machine and thread you like. My typical response to comments like you had..." Thank- you for the helpful information". When said with the appropriate intonation and proper facial expression,folks usually get the point!

Ditto what dakotamaid stated! Your quilt not theirs! Women from the wayback machine used all kinds of needles. They made do with what they had. If it works for you that's all that counts.

I have not read any of the responses yet, so I am probably repeating what many have said.

The best machine to take to a quilt camp or retreat is the one you feel most comfortable with. I sometimes take my Bernina 440QE, depending on what projects I plan to work on, but I also take my Singer 221 Featherweight, which I love for straight piecing and is at least 10 lbs. lighter than the Bernina. The FW is much more portable and makes the best straight stitch of any machine I own. However, I know many quilters who only have one machine, so be glad you have a choice.

I don't go to a quilt retreat to impress others or to be impressed. I go to sew. I enjoy laughing, talking and looking at the other ladies' projects. I always manage to learn something new and to teach something to someone else. Needle and thread sizes are dependent upon the project -- for piecing and paper piecing, I usually use an 80/12 needle. For quilting, I use a 90/14. I pretty much stay with one thread, 100% cotton Prescencia 60/3 in neutral colors. Most of the quilters I know piece with a 50/3 thread, which is what I used until I fell in love with the Prescencia. I was taught to match fabric and thread -- if you use 100% cotton fabric, use 100% cotton thread. But there is nothing to stop anyone from using C&C all purpose, which is cotton wrapped around a poly core.

There is nothing wrong with being a piecer. There are many in both guilds I belong to who "quilt by check". I myself was one until not too long ago, because I was intimidated by FMQ. I have taken several classes for quilting on a DSM, and have stepped out to quilting my wallhangings, tablerunners, placemats, etc. However, I haven't quite worked up the courage to tackle a bedsized quilt yet.

Remember, there are no quilt police. Don't let anyone tell you there's only one way to do something. Likewise, don't turn your nose up at anyone else, either. Quilting should be a joy, not a competition.