RelicStitcher

If you have the space, I got started on a singer model 27 treadle. That or a number 66 singer are both solid lockstitch machines, I do costume and reenactment work on my 66, it uses common needles and is what got the common 66 class bobbin started. more than qualified for quilting and if you have the space for a treadle and non-electric isnt a deal breaker (It actually isnt tiring or requires much effort, provided the machine is lubricated, and I actually find i have more control but ymmv.) Often these machines turn up at flea markets, craigslist etc for $100 give or take.

Jeanette Frantz

I am a Rank Amateur when it comes to quilting. I have made three total quilts in the past 6 years, only two of which were pieced-block quilts (Log Cabin Quilts), and one was a whole-cloth embroidered quilt with deep red borders. I learned almost immediately (before I ever cut the red fabric for my first quilt) that red fabric (and not only red fabric) can bleed. The bleeding can be prevented, but you have to treat the fabric BEFORE YOU CUT it. The last quilt I completed was made for a US Army Veteran whose mother is a very good friend of mine. He was seriously injured in Afghanistan, and was quite thrilled with the quilt. I pieced his quilt with a 1954 Singer Featherweight machine, assembled it with a 1952 Singer 403-A, and quilted it on a Singer 201-2 (I'm not sure of the year, but it's an old machine). In fact, all the sewing machines I have are vintage (more than 50 years old), one or two are more than 75 years old. I will say this, I have absolutely NO complaints about any of my older vintage machines. They work like champs. I like them because they are all-metal machines, and do not have plastic gears (which will break). So, I advocate a vintage all-metal machine. They are so easy to maintain that most of us who use them maintain them or fix them ourselves. The vintage machines should have a very nice straight stitch, which is what you need primarily for piecing quilts. However, I have been sewing all my life -- ever since the 6th or 7th grade in school (at that time I made my own clothing). I had never made a bed-size quilt until 2010, although I did make a baby quilt and hand-quilted it myself (I was working full time, so it took me 5 months to make the blocks, applique the blocks, and assemble them with the sashing and borders, and quilt it. You have some great recommendations above, so I wouldn't push you to buy a vintage machine. I've had my Singer 328-K since Christmas of 1963, when my husband bought it for my first Christmas as his wife. I have found the vintage machines to be very well-made sewing machines, and they work very well for me. Good luck! (My avatar depicts the red and white log cabin quilt I'm in the process of finishing)!

Jeanette