Hi there,

I am eager to get started on a quilt for my children. But I have a horrid cheapy machine that I think people buy for reparing rips and putting on buttons, I just really don't think it will cut it for a quilt at all. I would love to hear which machine people find best and why.

Thanks so much!

Really like my babylock quilter's choice but if I were to do it all over again, I would go for something with a much bigger harp space/throat. Mine is only about 7 inches.

My suggestion is to look at the harp space/throat space, find one that comes with an extension table, self threading needle, walking foot and darning foot, and possibly a stitch regulator and the ability to drop the feed dogs.

I have the Brother cs60000i its awesome but throat space is to small.Im going to get the Janome Horizon for the bigger throat

Depends on what you're looking for. If you plan on machine quilting than do as hopetoquilt says - look for a machine with a large harp/throat. I machine piece but hand quilt. The only things I machine quilt are charity quilts that require machine quilting. Ergo, throat space doesn't really matter to me. I have a Viking Platinum and love it. I also have a FW on which I've also done piecing and I have another vintage singer that I'm in the process of getting into my g'grandmothers old base. Haven't done much with it yet. My Viking has needle/up down - which I love; speed control; a host of embroidery stitches that I rarely use as well as a host of other wonderful features. I did alot of research online as to which machines had the features I wanted; costs; service availability and then tried them once I narrowed down my list of wants/needs. You'd be surprised what you can get your most basic of machines to accomplish. Give it a whirl.

My 401A Singer and the 301A; both are workhorses and can sew perfect stitching.

LOVE my Janome!

I guess I would be doing machine quilting...I really am just starting out..I am at that point where I can't really imagine myself actually quilting(I have moments where I think I'll get a professional to finish the quilts off for me) I know it sounds bad, but it looks so intricate and hard! I need to join a class. So basically at this point I have finished a top - but haven't acutally done anything else.....do you think I should just stick with my cheapie machine for now? I have been collecting gorgeous fabric for 5 years now....I have heaps and I absolutley have to use it or my hubby will freak!! :)

For newer machine look at the Husqvarna Vikings since they have a sensor foot that lifts when you take foot off peddle.
If vintage my 301 and 301A are great for straight and FM stitching...better then newer machines.

Hi Beebs. When I started quilting about a year ago, I went out and bought a great Bernina on the advice of my good friend who has been quilting for years. It has all the bells and whistles. Then I discovered vintage sewing machines. :P

It's now hard for me to decide which I like better, my Viking 6570 (made in 1979ish) or my Singer 301A (made in 1951). They are both all metal with no plastic gears and sew beautifully. The Singer is a simple straight stitch machine and light enough for me to carry to my Quilts of Valor group. In fact that's why I got it. The Viking is heavy, but it has the capability of doing 32 decorative stitches. They are both workhorses and neither is computerized which can be a bonus, believe it or not. So for well under $600, I have two utterly reliable machines that sew quietly and lovely to look at too!

My favorites are Viking Quilt Designer and Singer 401A.