Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

My machine is a little Wal-Mart cheapie Brother XL2600. So far my only real quilt has been a Fun and Done type thing. I really want to do a bow tie with some great charm squares I have but am very intimidated about trying to quilt it on my machine.

Can any of you out there with little cheapie mahines give me some specific pointers on how to handle the quilt when quilting?

BellaBoo

If a machine sews a good stitch I don't see a problem using it for machine quilting. Start with stitch in the ditch. That will be easy to start with. Straight line quilting is just as nice as free motion quilting. A walking foot will help keep the backing smooth.

Maride

I support Bella. I did it for years on a little cheap Kenmore. My problem began when I tried to branch out into free motion quilting. Some machines will be a problem with tension issues and thread breaking. I also find that many (not all) cheaper machines can not handle well threads with lower thickness (higher weights). You get knots or the thread breaks. Good luck with yours. As I said, this is my experience only. I am sure there are some cheap machines that do well.

Maria

justwannaquilt

Lisa, I have the same machine! right now I have two quilts going , both are wonky log cabins and I am just quilting square after square after..... well you get the point one measures 48x60 and the other is 50x62
I have done several baby blankets on my machine most are about 40x48 or so!

How large are you wanting to go with the quilt?
I think now that I have gotten use to managing a "larger" (than just a baby blanket) quilt I could even go bigger on my machine! Its all in learning where to put the excess fabric that you don't need in the machine! and knowing what fabric has to be where for it to work and what way you can turn the quilt to get closest to the part you are working on and have the least amount of quilt bunched up in the throat space!

Lostn51

Oh that statement is so true!!!

Billy

amma

The machine that I use for piecing is a lower end Singer...I am still a SID quilter, but it works very well for that. I believe I can FMQ too, just have not taken that leap yet. As long as it will sew well through your quilt sandwich you should be ok... as far as wrestling it...try different ways until you find the one that works best for you!

MollieSue

I have the cheapy Brother from Walmart too! lol!!! I used to SID with it, until my DH made me the quilt frame. Now I use an equally old cheapy White with that, as it has the darning foot and I can drop the feed dogs.
I remember someone saying they sat their ironing board next to their machine, to help hold up their quilt as they quilted it...

mumtoliam

I have a cheapie machine - it is called a toyota... the main thing I have found is make sure you have a new needle!!! It makes a big difference... I have tried FMQ but just haven't gotten the hang of it! It is possible, and no one knows that it is a cheapie machine unless you tell them. The finished product could have been produced on a much more expensive model.

renee765

No kidding - I have that same cheapie Brother from Walmart - the XL 2600 - and it works great as far as I am concerned. When I do a larger quilt, I divide it into three segments lengthwise, then sandwich and quilt those segments individually, then sew them together. Otherwise, trying to deal with all that fabric would drive me bonkers. But the machine works great and has never given me a bit of trouble. (Knock on wood)

The sisterhood of the Brother....

Renee

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

The bow tie quilt I'm getting ready to cut fabric for after I type this is supposed to be 48 x 60 or some other thing divisible by 4 inch blocks. I'm just trying to make a nap quilt. I guess if you ladies can do it, I can too. It's just a matter of figuring out how to wad it up.

In case you are wondering, the cheapie Brother will do FMQ. I've been practicing. I don't have a foot so you have to watch your fingers. The fabric wants to climb the need, but that should be solved by getting a foot.
Here is the link to some pics I posted of my FMQ practice.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/27167.page


Maybe you all could post a pic or two the next time you start quilting. I'd appreciate the visual. :D