I am in the market for a new machine. What do people suggest. What is the one feature you think a quilter should have on their machine.

I think the larger the throat the better. But that's because I also do machine quilting on my sewing machine. I have a Bernina and LOVE it. Would have NEVER considered trading... until I saw the Bernina 830, now I need to come up with a way to be financially independant so I can own one. tee hee

Needle up/down,
Needle position,
Low Bobbin Indicator
GOOD LIGHT!
Built-in Walking Foot.

Those are my must haves. I added the light because my new machine has weak light.

Great suggestions. I would want some one in my area that can work on it too.

I only use treadle machines but if I was going to pick options that were "built" in the machine it would be a zigzag, lots of decorative stitches, free motion quilting foot, and like Martina stated a GOOD LIGHT!!

Billy

Sounds like a Pfaff to me!! I love mine.

I love my Bernina Aurora 440...no low bobbin indicator though. Everything else is wonderful...love it!!!

Any future machine that I buy will have to have the needle up/down feature and also the needle position that can be adjusted.

HI. Madquilter I have a question also, whats so important about "Feed dogs"? thank you for answering- I have been all over this site and I cant get an answer. ps my name is Bernadette Byrd

I am quite satisfied with my cheap Brother computerized machine but would have loved to have a deep throat one. I do wish the light was stronger on mine tho'.

I love my Janome's. They have most all of the features mentioned above, and there is so many styles and price ranges I would go to my local dealer who will be the most important person to you when picking a machine. Try them all out. There are a lot of good ones out there and Good Luck Marge

I love my Janome 6600 P and it has a 9 1/2 throat plate

Hi Bernadette,

I'm not sure I understand your question exactly. For regular sewing, the feed dogs move the fabric. A walking foot helps keep the top layer and bottom layer of fabric together and moves it under the needle at the same time. THis is important to match seams and match patterns. Without the walking foot, the sewing foot pulls the top fabric at a different speed than the teeth of the feed dogs. The shift can be quite noticeable.

When you quilt in Free Motion Mode, the feed dogs must be dropped, so the quilt can move freely.

I have a Pfaff with a built-in walking foot. I have the option to engage or disengage this feature. Here is a picture:

http://www.pfaffusa.com/195.html

Did I answer?

exactly what you said Rachel! except I want the Bernina 820!

this machine might have to be my second choice after the Bernina 820...

YES! THANK YOU-you answered it very clearly and with lots of detail-I finally know what I have been asking for a week - what machine do you recommed for beginers?

Yes great ideas.

community benefactor, tell me more about the table you're using for your 6600. is it custom made? there was another thread today on using auto threaders, what do you think about the 6600 threader?

I have exactly the same machine and also love your table, Dora. I have a Janome table, but have to re-arrange for quilting because it's too small.

Peabee, the needle threader works well. Sometimes I use it, sometimes not. I usually don't have trouble finding the eye so it's quicker to just poke my thread through.

Features I use the most are:
- needle up/down
- needle position
- machine speed

Features I love that are like super-bonus:
- the wide top feed dogs that are removable
- thread cutting at the needle

These definatly are the MUST Haves - and try before you buy. Take your own fabric to the shops as well. Any machine would sew well with the material they demo with.
I wouldn't worry about the quilting aspect - I've quilted up to a queen size on my regular machine (Janome also Pfaff and Singer) fairly easily.Both of these were quilted on my machine.

I hope I'm not breaking rules. On my website I've got a page about features that I like on my sewing machine and also have a survey for quilters to give input on what they think is necessary.

I second the thought of visiting the sewing machine dealers. Test drive the machine on things you'd work on with your own fabrics. Not only will you be test driving the possibilities, but also test driving the dealer. Are they helpful? Or was it a nuisance for them to work with you? (Not a good sign, especially if you're ready to spend money!) Did the person helping you understand the workings of the machine...she/he may be the one giving the lessons on the machine. A lot can be learned about not just the machine at these visits.

Good luck to you, hope the information helps!

Julie Baird

I got my Bernina 730 2 yrs ago. I previously had a Pfaff 1222, which I loved. The only reason I went to a Bernina was because it is sold locally. I would have had to drive 50 mi. to take the lessons on the Pfaff. I am very happy with my Bernina, but if I had known how much I was going to miss the built-in walking foot on my Pfaff, I would have stuck with the Pfaff. I believe the new Bernina has that feature. If I had only waited a few months to buy my machine.......Story of my life--too late or too early! :? Good luck and a word of advice--take your time deciding. Another thing--I really kind of wish I had gotten two machines--one just for embroidery and one for all other sewing. Now I want a light-weight reg. machine that I can take to class. I'm considering a Brother 2600.

I too love my Janome 6600P. The only feature it is missing is a sound when the bobbin runs dry, but I can live with that. Marylou

What is needle up/down? My machine is 45 yo and all I can make go up and down is the presser foot....thx!

Needle up/down is a feature that allows you to select the position the needle stops in when you release the foot pedal or gas, i.e. if you select "needle down" when you take your foot off the "gas" the machine stops with the needle down in the fabric...always, no extra tap on the foot pedal.

When I got my Viking D1, that feature in combination with a pivot feature was absolutely amazing. With a pivot feature, when you take your foot off the gas, the presser foot lifts up about half way, making chain piecing even faster. Add the "needle down" to it and its like having an extra hand. Cool beans!

Those two features are "must haves" on my list if you were to buy a new machine.

Julie

first question to ask yourself is what is your budget?
Each special item increases your price point. I taught my nieces last year to quilt, and helped them buy their first machine. katie who used my elna, wanted the variable speed button, and think everyone should have the needle down option. They went with a Janome Gold, perfect for taking to class, way to small for me:)
The Janome 6600P is my dream, but I think I will forgo. I have the Elna Quilters dream (approx 10 yrs old?) and brother innovis 4000D:)

What model do you have? I am in the market to get a new machine, love my old Pfaff but it IS old so would love your recommendations. Thanks

Thx for the explanation...sounds like a good feature if I ever get a new machine! :lol:

I also have a Pfaff, and love it.

I have the Pfaff Expression 2038, and I've had it for two years. there is also an Expression 2048, which has more quilting stitches, but I get along just fine with the 2038's features.

I got the poor man's version of the Bernia - the Bernette 82. I got it on sale and it is a good little machine. It isn't computerized but it does have

Needle up and down
Drop in bobbin
Speed control

And the best thing you do not have to use Bernia feet, needles, etc it takes the general items which is much cheaper.