sewing machine questions
 

I'm new to quilting but have a moderate level of sewing experience, in general. I have a Singer Scholastic which I very much like for typical sewing such as clothing etc. I'd like to keep that one, but get one for quilting. I'm so
Unfamiliar with all the different types of machines and what they can do that I'm lost when researching them. I thought that maybe if I listed what if like in a machine you ladies, and gentlemen could help me out. :)
My wish list: a machine that doesn't need a frame to be used to quilt
(Hopefully there is such a thing)
I don't necessarily need a programmable one, but if that's what it takes to be able to move the needle sideways to quilt then that's fine. I'd like to be able to quilt designs, right now I can only do straight lines.
I don't even know enough to know which questions to ask, lol.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Kelly

You'll want one with a large throat or harp or whatever term is used for the opening to the right of the needle. That way you can stuff quilts through for quilting them. I have the Janome 6600 which has a 9" opening but there are some that have an 11". Other helpful things are a built in walking foot (or one you have to put on will work too) and a "needle down" feature which makes your machine have the needle down when you stop sewing. Happy shopping!

start by looking at all the major manufacturers' websites.
you won't find prices there, but you will get an idea of all the features available.
you will also need to set your price limit.
then look around at online dealers - including amazon and the big-box department stores.
that will give you some idea of how much you will need to spend in order to get as many of the desired features as will fit into your budget.
if there are dealers within a reasonable drive i recommend you check them out, too.
walk out if anybody tries to pressure you into buying that day.
walk out if the sales rep talks trash about any of the brands they don't sell.
walk out if they won't let you sit down to test the machine(s) that interest you.
there are many very good brands on the market, so neither brand is an absolute best for everybody.
but if you take your time, you will find the one that's best for you. :)

I was in your same boat about 18 months ago. Wanted a new machine, but had no idea what to buy. Do you have local quilt shop? I went to a couple and "test drove" machines. I ended up with a Janome 6600 and I love it - - but never would have thought that I would spend that much money on sewing machine.... very, very, very glad that I did. The only thing that I would change about my machine is the bed is big and it doesn't allow to sew sleeves very well... google sewing machines and check them out good luck have fun

First of all you can quilt on most any machine. You don't need a special machine. I love my Featherweight for piecing and I have a walking foot for it and have quilted lap size quilts and smaller on it. I have a 37 year old Viking that has been my primary machine until recently. That machine has sewn so many miles over the years and it was having some issues where getting replacement parts was an issue that I decided to get a new machine. I did get a Janome 8900qcp with the large throat. That has some nice features in addition to the larger throat/harp area such as needle down, thread cutter however if you don't sew or quilt a lot I'm not sure it would be worth the investment.

If I was just beginning quilting I would use the machine I already have if it is in good working order. Forgo the king size quilts for the quilting part or do quilt as you go method. Make smaller projects and have some fun. See if you really enjoy quilting before investing in a newer expensive machine.

I am glad you have taken up quilting. I hate to keep repeating myself but what is wrong with trying hand quilting. It can be very relaxing and can be totally portable. I don't machine quilt anything but Linus quilts and small items that will be washed constantly like potholders etc. The idea of having to roll up the quilt and force it through the throat of any sewing machine drives me crazy. I occasionally do commissions and the last one I did was a T shirt quilt for a teenage boy. It had to be machine quilted because it would be roughly used and washed to death. My husband had to stand behind my sewing machine set up and hold up the parts of the quilt that was not under my sewing machine needle at the time. It was a full bed size quilt and rather heavy as each T shirt had to be stabilized which only added to the bulk and weight of the quilt. The boy's mother was delighted with the results and said she had another son who would be needing such a quilt. I am praying that she looses my number and changes her mind. I don't think I would attempt that again for double the money. I own several different quilting frames. I have been able to hand quilt a queen size quilt on a 36 inch round frame while watching TV with my family and carrying on conversations. My favorite part of sewing and quilting is handling the fabric and turning it into something beautiful and or useful. Hand quilting full fills both of those.

I have a Singer 7470 which is a fairly basic machine. It was a gift when I retired 6 years ago. I took a basic quilting class which happened to be a wonderful group of quilters and I've been repeating the class ever since. My basic Singer machine was enough for me to learn to quilt. That includes piecing and quilting, including free motion quilting. You can probably do it all on your current machine. There are Craftsy classes on quilting, classes in Adult Ed, classes at most of the local quilt shops (including JoAnn's). Give it a try before you even bother investing in a new machine. The basic features should be needle down when you stop, walking foot for quilting. That's about it. Straight stitching is pretty much all you need for piecing.

My first machine is a Singer 15 Clone. Just a old black straight stitch machine. Made in the 40's. It has a bigger harp than most modern machines, is very quiet, very heavy duty. I've got it set up just for the FMQuilting. These are simple durable machines, easy to use and fix yourself. Can be found on Craigslist for a good price. You don't need a fancy computerized machine for quilting.

I would love to become proficient at hand quilting! I actually started the other night and got frustrated right away because I could n't figure out how to properly make the knot and pop it through the fabric to start out! I also didn't know exactly which needles to use and whether I had the right kind. The ones I have weren't clearly marked. I'm hoping the guild will be helpful with that when I get around to joining. I 'love' busy work with my hands, so it's perfect! Thanx for the encouragement. :) lovetoToTo

Thank you, Ann. I will keep my eyes open for one. I love old things, especially when they're useful! I love the nostalgia! That would make me very happy. Although, what exactly do you mean by Singer 'clone'? I want to make sure that if I get an old one like that I get the right kind. :) of

For hand quilting, I just make a not - nothing special - and give it a good tug to pull it through the top fabric and batting. Just a single knot will do. One of the many reasons I like quilting is I can machine piece -which I like- and hand quilt so I have something to do while watching tv and keep my hands busy.

I second the advice about shopping around and 'test driving' machines. If you are looking for a large harp, basic straight stitch machine that stitches beautifully, consider a Juki TL2010q. Only straight stitch, but has speed control (a MUST for me), thread cutter in foot pedal and knee lever lift. No bells or whistles, just a fabulous workhorse of a machine. About $1,000.

I love hand quilting and machine quilting. I was absolutely terrible when I started hand quilting. I really struggled with getting the knot through the fabric too! What I do now (which works most of the time) is to hold the quilt behind the knot as I pull in the other direction. I am currently doing big stitch quilting using perle cotton thread, which is thicker than normal thread, so the knot is bigger too. I haven't had any problems so far! I also sometimes get a problem with the knot at the end, so when I try to pull it through, the thread breaks off at the knot. Very annoying because you have to undo enough of your stitches to be able to try again. My advice for that is to make the knot slightly smaller than the knot you used to start off (eg. I usually make a quilters knot with 3 wraps around the needle to start off, and will just use 2 wraps for the finishing knot) and this usually works pretty well!
I got a lot better at handquilting after I found "thimblelady". I bought her book and thimbles and worked through it on the practice square that she sent with the book. Went from massive, wobbly stitches, to nice even ones in a couple of hours. My stitches still aren't perfect, but I'm happy with them! Her thimble is the first one I've actually been able to use as it has lovely deep holes to hold the needle! You have to order it from Australia, but in my opinion it was totally worth it!
Sorry, haven't got much advice on machines but thought I might be able to help a bit with the hand quilting!
Good luck!

You cannot go wrong with something like a Singer 301 or 301A. I also have a nice Singer 15 in a cabinet that I picked up at an auction several years ago for $17.50. They are out there, you can have lots of fun looking for them. My brother in California found a Featherweight at a flea market on a pile of scrap metal for $25. Took it home and worked on it, now my sister-in-law uses it for quilting. They are out there, have fun searching, but be warned you might be bitten by the machine collector bug.

As far as handquilting...burying the knot......when knot gets to fabric, scratch the fabric with your nail while gently pulling and the threads will separate enough to let the knot pass thru into your batting....hard to really describe, but it works....

Buy the very best you can afford. I had a problem with one of my machines and the repairman came to my house as he lives close. He told me Bernina and Janome are the best machines being made today, he works as a repairman for a company that sells BabyLock. Buy a large throat and harp, automatic cutter and threader are ideal.

I love my Viking Sapphire 960Q, lots of quilting stitches and does a beautiful job sewing in general. Very user friendly with a lot of features. I have only ever had Vikings so I might be a tad prejudice but not one of them has ever given me trouble. They are pretty much maintenance free if you clean regularly and they never need oiled. Just shop around and see what works best for you with a dealer in your area who you can trust to be honest about the product. Use it at the shop and see if it has what you're looking for. I used to sell the Vikings and I can tell you the best customer is one who comes in with questions and tries out everything in the price range they're looking for. Most of them go to another shop to try their machine also before buying. It's a big decision and you don't want to regret your purchase.

Here's another bit of advice : if going for a higher-priced sewing machine consider the higher cost of additional parts you'll want to have. It's like buying a foreign car: everything is more expensive to buy additionally or to repair.
I'd like to have a Bernina, but from what I can see additional "anything" is costly.
Good luck!

Kelly,
I like the Singer 15 and 237 for machine quilting of all kinds. To quilt successfully with a home sewing machine, you need to support the quilt all around. The picture is of me sewing binding on a baby quilt with a Pfaff #60 treadle. You can see how the quilt is supported with the table to left and behind, same thing when quilting.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39168443@N06/14149401823/

Sharon in Texas

Hang in there...this is why we have this board...to help each other. What budget do you have? If can afford a Janome 6600, it is great! You can contact dealers to see if they have a trade in or floor model that they will sell discounted.
Floor models, or show models are best, since they come with a warranty. The harp is large enough to "puddle" a quilt to the right of the needle for free motion quilting. I suspect freer motion quilting is what you are referring to in moving the needle sideways, actually, it is you moving your quilt all directions under the needle, you needle is always stationery ...at least we hope so. You can, of course, do this with a machine without a large harp space, but you do need to practice. I would start with some pot holders as a project, or just put two layers of muslin under your needle after setting your machine up for FMQ. There are lots of online instruction for FMQ Leah Day has a lot of free videos on her site for all kinds of designs to play with. Welcome to our board and to quilting...a life time of enjoyment.

Take a look on ebay. I got a great deal on my Janome 6600 and love it.

I think I was reading something else with this entry--sounds like you'd like the quilting action to allow you to move the NEEDLE, not the fabric. With a domestic machine (regular one like you have) if it will allow you to use a darning foot/free motion hopping foot, then you move the fabric as it sews and that is what most of the posters are talking about. Now, if you want to move the machine needle while the fabric stays still--then you are talking about a long arm frame/machine set-up. I suggest you find out if your current machine is able to work with a darning/free motion hopping foot and do some experimenting with it--check out Leah Day's website for ideas. As you become more proficient/involved you may decide to move up to a Janome, etc(by the way, Elna is made by Janome!) with a bigger harp(more space to move that quilt top) programmable needle up/down (my favorite feature), etc. These machines can run into the thousands, btw. At that point , you may want to think about where you are going with your quilting and go to a major show and visit vendors and try out some type of long arm--the sit-down ones seem to be gaining popularity due to price and the sitting option--but keep in mind that they still require you to move the fabric.
So glad to hear you love quilting--I got bitten by the bug 4 years ago and totally addicted. I would add that I learned to free motion quilt on my $90 Brother bought at Walmart and finally moved up to a nicer machine and a year ago bought a used Gammill--which I love!

LOL, I was going to go there, but you beat me too it. I love my hand quilted quilts. You can feel the love!! No special machines necessary! I do hoopless hand quilting, don't even need a hoop, just a lap! There are many videos on hand quilting. Give a look, you might like it!!

Ditto that Marie4403!

I'm not sure what you mean about moving the needle "sideways". I quilt on an old Singer Genie. All I needed was to get the right size needle to match my machine quilting thread, a feed dog cover (since my machine doesn't let me lower the feed dogs), a walking foot (for straight line quilting) & a darning foot (for all other quilting -- "Free Motion Quilting").

As far as I know, the needles just move up & down unless maybe it's an embroidery machine. You are moving the fabric right or left to get the needle to hit in the proper place. I also would recommend buying a pair of Machinger's gloves if you are going to be Free Motion Quilting (FMQ'ing) because they really, truly do make it so much easier to move the fabric where you want it. After that, it's just a matter of practice. All those items shouldn't cost you more than about $25-30 & that way you can be sure you really love quilting before investing in a new machine. :)

Good luck & happy quilting!

I'm thinking about the moving needle that OP meant on the newer machines you can move the needle left or right a few threads.