New to quilting - need advice
06-05-2011, 06:18 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oak Ridge North, TX
Posts: 7,172
welcome from se TX -- I have the same problem about not having machine stitches so I do my appliqueing by hand, usuallly using Eleanor Burns's method with interfacing on the back of the applique -- enjoy your kit
06-05-2011, 06:28 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 851
Welcome! Your might want to use the search feature on this board to do some research on what machine to buy as well. I have a Bernina that my late husband bought me in the 90's before machines went "electronic" too much. It's great and does all I need it to do. My niece has a newer Janome that is really sweet to sew on. I also inherited my husband's late wife's Elna (70's era) and it will also do everything I ask trouble free. Finding a good service provider close by is just as important IMHO as your machine. I have a wonderful lady sewing machine repair person and she's the best ever!! Servicing and oiling will make any machine you use a better "person" when you girls sit down to "talk"!
I do occasionally need my machine to do button holes, edge stitch, blind hem, darn, and zig zag and (once or twice) I have played with some decorative stitching but a good straight stitch is your starting point. When you go shopping take a 15" quilt sandwich with you so you can see how the machines will handle that if you plan to machine quilting as well as piecing.
Hope this helps!
I do occasionally need my machine to do button holes, edge stitch, blind hem, darn, and zig zag and (once or twice) I have played with some decorative stitching but a good straight stitch is your starting point. When you go shopping take a 15" quilt sandwich with you so you can see how the machines will handle that if you plan to machine quilting as well as piecing.
Hope this helps!
06-05-2011, 07:28 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Leesburg, Florida
Posts: 817
I love my Brother Quilting Machine from Walmart - about $200. I also had a Brother that was a little over $100 that I really liked. Brother has been around for over 50 years and makes a good machine for a very reasonable price.
06-05-2011, 08:52 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Federal Way, Washington
Posts: 1,460
Maureen,
I would make a list of features you "must have" and ones that you would "like to have". Then start looking. I would not pay a lot of money for features that you won't be using very much, unless you have the money to afford that. As I stated in a previous post, I had just a few features that I considered "must haves": needle up/down position, needle threader, serpentine stitch (it waves back and forth and is GREAT for machine quilting). I have something like 88 stitches which are fun to use and it is a very easy machine to operate. The owner's manual is very clear. Only you can determine what is important to you. Figure that out and stick to it. Then you will have a machine that you LOVE to use and you will be a very happy quilter. Good luck:-)
I would make a list of features you "must have" and ones that you would "like to have". Then start looking. I would not pay a lot of money for features that you won't be using very much, unless you have the money to afford that. As I stated in a previous post, I had just a few features that I considered "must haves": needle up/down position, needle threader, serpentine stitch (it waves back and forth and is GREAT for machine quilting). I have something like 88 stitches which are fun to use and it is a very easy machine to operate. The owner's manual is very clear. Only you can determine what is important to you. Figure that out and stick to it. Then you will have a machine that you LOVE to use and you will be a very happy quilter. Good luck:-)
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