Wanting to buy a simple quilting machine?

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11-05-2016, 07:23 AM

#11

salederer

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2012

Location: N. Nevada

Posts: 953

If you want one for free motion quilting, then you will need a fairly large throat. I just traded in a brother Q1000 quilt club model that had a nine inch throat. The dealer said he would probably sell it for around $500. I think you would be better off going the refurbished route and getting a nice wide throat.

11-05-2016, 08:01 AM

#12

UncleGravy

Junior Member

Join Date: Mar 2016

Posts: 181

I have a cheap smaller machine, I have found that the quilt-as-you-go method works great for free motion quilting. Even large quilts seem manageable now. Not familiar with the Laura Ashley machine you mention but mine was from target for under $300 bucks if I recall and that was over 10 years ago.

11-05-2016, 10:02 AM

#13

meyert

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: Southern Indiana

Posts: 3,111

I LOVE my Janome Magnolia 7330. I would buy another to keep a spare (to let my neice borrow) but I am a tight wad

I don't think of this as a "simple" machine because it has some nice features - - but as you grow a sewer/quilter later on you might be sorry if you bought too simple of a machine . I have not had luck FMQ on this, because I have another machine that I go to for that so I don't really have to try to make that work.

Here is amazon's link - - but I always support local shops for machines mainly so I can the machine in for service (I have never, never had a problem with this machine tho)

https://smile.amazon.com/Janome-Magn...+magnolia+7330

Last edited by meyert; 11-05-2016 at 10:07 AM.

11-05-2016, 11:24 AM

#14

Innov8R

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2016

Location: Belen, NM

Posts: 1,353

Kath12 is giving really good advice. A solid used machine from a reputable source may be your best bet. I own the Juki 2010q and it is fantastic. There are good used machines out there. Take your time and find one that works for you. Good luck.

11-07-2016, 02:01 PM

#15

letawellman

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Blacksburg, SC

Posts: 731

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kath12

I too work on a limited budget but wanted a good machine. I asked my local Viking dealer to be on the lookout for a good previously loved machine for me. She had three machines for me to try ranging from $150 to $300. I ended up purchasing a Viking Designer 1 for $300. It had been serviced and ready to go and was also able to take a free class on how to use it. The first class was on the basic machine as to what all the buttons and feet are for. The second class was the embroidery part of the machine (I didn't know that it was an embroidery machine until it was being carried out to my car and there was another case that contained the embroidery arm), I was the only one that came to that class so I got a private lesson. So anyway check out your local dealer.

I also got a used Viking Designer 1 (over 10 years ago!!) and it is still going strong! I really was not expecting to use the embroidery part, but I have done several quilts with embroidery on them.

these are great little machines, and I was able to FMQ queen-sized quilt on it.
It was a struggle, but I did it. A twin-sized quilt was no problem to FMQ.