Mary Bird

Industrial machine for your horsey stuff...don't use a more 'delicate' sewing machine. Consew industrial for sale at Threads of Time in Danville IL for $1000. Long harp, sit down table, good for all sorts of heavy duty work.

yonnikka

With Horse Blankets and Upholstery fabrics you want a Heavy Thread and a Big needle, and Longer Stitches. Put your sewing machines to the test: How big of a stitch can it make? What is the biggest Needle available for that specific machine?

dottientx

Thanks for all your helpful tips! That's what I needed. I have decided I'll not be buying this machine for the heavier and, in the case of the horse blankets, dirtier things. In the meantime, I'll check out the place in Danville

Buckeye Rose

Exactly.....I really don't think you want to mess with your quilting machine and try doing things that it isn't designed for. A second and much cheaper machine will do the job for the horse blankets!

dphelps

I know that there are a lot of machines (Domestic) machines that can handle heavy duty sewing but for their purposes, I would suggest a good used commercial machine.My mom used to be in the reupholstering business and trust me, you do not want to use your good sewing machine for reupholstering (even though it can be done). Industrial machines can handle greater stress and use heavier thread to make the strength last longer.Maybe you could help them search one out.
Just decide on a machine that you feel comfortable with for yourself. The only way to know is to have someone demonstrate and you try it out for yourself. Another thing I feel is important is the service the dealer or maker provides. Do they offer free classes on how to use the machine? What is their service policy? How easy are additional parts procured? Are they expensive? Just a few thoughts. I personally stand by Bernina and Viking and have heard a lot about the new Janome but ultimately, it is up to you.

jaciqltznok

I was going to suggest a Juki as well!

BarbaraSue

Good Luck. I agree that you should have yur machine for FMQ and not worry about doing horse blankets. Sounds like they wanted free sewing for a job they wouldn't/couldn't do themselves. I have kids like that!

patdesign

If you are not looking for a long arm, I would recommend the old Singer model either 15-91 or 201, they both have a direct drive motor, and plenty of heft to do all the things you mentioned. They are both straight stitch and can be had at a pretty reasonable price. Both have the ability to drop the feed dogs which is great with FMQ. Good Luck :-D

azwendyg

Speaking as someone who does a lot of FMQ AND sews up horse (mule) blankets on a regular basis, I don't think there is a perfect machine for doing both tasks. I use a Juki TL 98 for quilting and have a Chandler upholstery machine (any brnad upholstery machine would certainly work) that i use for sewing up those heavy, thick blankets. There's just no way a domestic machine can handle the thickness of canvas or cordura PLUS lining PLUS strapping PLUS that thick edge binding used on horse blankets. On the other hand, the upholstery machine powers right through it. You should also be using MUCH heavier thread and larger needle for horse blankets than you can/should use on a quilting machine.

So, my advise is get your dream quilting machine, and let them get what they need to sew up horse blankets!

Wendy

talkn58

How about using your old machine for the horse blankets-- and the sparkley new machine for delicious quilt fabric !!

Maybe the old machine could end up at the kids house and they could do the repair work themselves?

My other thought is a nice 'used machine' from a garage sale for the horse blankets. (-am a city girl and have no idea what it takes to repair them-- just an idea)

GOOD LUCK