TanyaL

No, you misunderstood. When a beginner has asked in different threads what is needed to begin quilting; what should they have, what should they be wary of, etc. Many members have recommended buying the best sewing machine they can afford; buying the best fabric from a LQS as many members are very vocal that big box stores do not carry fabric of sufficient quality to warrant the effort involved in quilting. There has been much advice offered by some members along that line while some members offer more practical advice. But most of the advice is geared to buy what you can afford to spend implying that if you can afford to start with a $5000 sewing machine then get it, if you can afford a $300 machine get that. My question implied that the beginner status would have nothing to do with what person could afford, but what would do the job. And when the skill level exceeded the tool then a more expensive tool with more capabilities was a practical consideration. No one seemed to consider the poor beginner who could afford the $5000 machine and got and discovered quilting was boring for her. And the questions were geared to the artist quilter not the hobbiest. The hobbiest will spend anything for the sake of the hobby. The artist will spend what is needed to further the art. The art for the artist is the main thing and the striving to achieve something different and original and compitive is a driving force for an artist. That's why galleries are so full and the field of fine arts, fiber arts, etc. is so popular.

JulieR

I understand what you're saying. My husband is a musician, and he would never recommend buying the caliber of instruments he owns to a beginning payer.

However, what I think you might be missing is the rest of the sentence: "Buy the best you can afford"...to spend on a new pursuit, something you aren't sure you'll continue past a year. Most of us just assume the reader has enough common sense not to spend $5k on a lark -- unless it's a negligible sum for HER, since budget is a relative thing. If it fits her budget to try something new in an expensive way, why not spend the money if she wants? In the vast majority of comparisons a more expensive machine really WILL be better than most cheaper ones, and she can always sell it later if she decides not to continue quilting.

Yes, some people are brand snobs, true of ANY type of group. Everybody has their thing, some with good reason and some not. But for the most part we're a group of people who've been through the fires and know ourselves, and trust others to know what's best for themselves, too.

Mcflower

TanyaL, I'm not at all offended......You brought up some good questions and it was interesting to get the feedback. I feel that quilting was born out of necessity and is now considered a hobby by some and an art form by others. I feel that either way your quilt is created it is a part of, and an expression by the person who made it and it matters not how it was created.

I have learned soo very much from the members here and am totally impressed by their willingness to share their knowledge. I also think that what you experienced was not members being offended, I think it was people being passionate for a hobby/art form they love.

TanyaL

I am so sorry for beginner quality tools to be equated with inferior tools. I am sure you would not advise a beginner woodworker to buy a Delta Unisaw for $3000 and probably not even a table model for $150 but would pick a model more in $500 range -prices going up every day -. I never meant to suggest a beginner tool should not do its job adequately which would be safely, with ease and have a quality to last- but still not the tool that a professional would pay for and need. I find myself having to apologize to all the good quilters who have bought TOL machines and use every feature they have built into them, and the the quilters who have simply been able to afford and wanted to own those TOL machines. I didn't mean to imply you shouldn't have them, only that they weren't beginner's tools and most beginner's didn't need to have the TOL included in the list of what they needed. I think now that some quilters are like some hunters. Before they go on their first hunt they have purchased what they need: guns, dog, wardrobe, lease, pickup truck, etc. and perhaps reserved a place to have the kill mounted. LOL To each his own.

MrsWiggs

You go, girl!! Right on!!!

Aria

I am a violinist and teacher. When a student asks what kind of violin should I buy, I advise them to pick the price range they know they can afford, and try out several violins. Most of the time they end up picking the more expensive violin. They sound better and are easier to play. There are exceptions, of course, but on the whole, the more expensive violins are easier to play and have a better sound. A person can spend anywhere from $100 to thousands for a violin. Even when buying a violin for a beginner, I urge the parents to buy the best they can afford. Children are much more willing to practice on an instrument that has a pleasing sound, rather than one, that no matter what you do, it sounds terrible.... even when the teacher plays it!
As far as buying a more expensive sewing machine, I feel one should buy the best they can afford... and definitely try them out... as with violins, they are all different.

lots2do

I am really grateful that when I took a graduate printmaking class, my professor encouraged me to experiment printing on some lovely handmade paper she had in her supply closet. I may never have the chance to do so again and now I have four beautiful prints to display in my home. It didn't matter to her that I was a beginner or that my skill level might mess the paper up. Not sure if this has anything to do with this discussion and am certainly not trying to stir anything up but I am truly grateful Think I'll write her a note and pass that thought along.

TanyaL

What do we say to all those quilters who are using older mechanical sewing machines who sew such beautiful 1/4 seams? My Pfaff zig-zag 360 bought new in Germany in 1964 and my new Brother embroidery machine using a 12 inch hoop can not sew a straight stitch as well as my Singer 201. And it has never since 1947 been in the shop for a repair. But it is not the best that I can afford; but certainly the best for putting a quilt top together. And I send the tops out for quilting by choice. There's room for all of us.

petthefabric

I agree that the difference between student grade and professional grade tools, equipment and supplies is more prevelent in fine art than fiber art. In whatever I'm doing I don't want to be frustrated by what I'm working with. So I buy the best I can afford. I think most quilters aren't doing it to make a living, but because they enjoy it. And most quilters aren't "students" (whatever that emplies) when they start quilting, they're experienced adults. Many women are/have been part of the work force + mother/wife/partner and know the value of their time. And then, most quilters are women.....does this make the discipline different from a male dominated field? If this were a male dominated discipline what would the sewing machines be like? I think they would have faster speeds and be a work horse. And each machine would do one thing exceptionally well. An embroidery machine would be an industrial model, no horsing around. For what it's worth.....some of my brainstorming.

Weezy Rider

Some are confusing "best" with "cost" - The most expensive isn't always the best. Sometimes the name is just snob value. Check reviews on some camera lenses.

The TOL machines cost more - some are mini computers. If you blow a circuit, that's it - major $$$ for a new board.
Those that use the older mechanical and newer quilting mechanical machines have a fighting chance of getting it fixed for far less expense.

It also depends on how you feel about challenges. I can do quite a bit of the fancy stuff like cutwork and a lot of heirloom on a plain zigzag machine. It's more work, but also satisfying. (I collect old books)
I have an old book of the most fantastic machine made lace - made on the first electric Singers. This was an art form.

All mfg would like you to buy the TOL. Those are the most usually reviewed machines. There's good machines and lousy machines manufactured, and there's good machines and lousy machines from your point of view. If you don't want to be bothered with having to adjust a machine almost every time you turn it on, the best tool for you would be a non-computerized model, where the default stitch is where you left it. Just because you are paying a lot less, doesn't mean the machine isn't "quality" if it's well made.