pollym44

Ladies, my son is buying me a new sewing/quilting machine. Don't know the best one to buy. I love quilting, but can't afford a long-arm. Need one that is easy to quilt on, any suggestions?? HELP!!!

knlsmith

Use the search function. There tons of threads on machines.

Prism99

What is the price range? That will narrow down suggestions quite a lot!

Scissor Queen

Talk him into a Janome Horizon 7700. It has an 11 inch throat and tons of stitches.

JanetM

Husqvarna Viking's Designer Ruby is also a possibility. It has an extra large throat for quilting. I really like my Designer SE.

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/19211.htm

quiltmaker

I would suggest going around to different shops and trying out machines that fit your price point. Everyone can advise you on the machines they love but you will be using this machine and you need to meld with your machine sort of become one with it.

Make sure whatever shop you go to will provide lessons for you. Most of them are free of charge when you purchase the machine from them. Also check out the warranty, the friendliness of the shop/staff. Browse around and see how they relate to other customers. You want to do business where they will take care of you before, during and most of all after the sale.

Take in some squares of muslin & batting so you can try the machines and check the stitches on them. Write on the back which machine and any thoughts you may have. That way you can refer to them before you make your decision. Don't make a rush decison nor allow them to make you feel like you have to decide right this moment.

Make it an adventure and you'll have the time of your life especially knowing you took your time, looked at a variety of machines and chose the one that worked best for you.

pollym44

Thank you all. My son is leaving soon [the next 2 days] to go back to Iraq, so I trying to get it done with some degree of speed. I'll be happy knowing he bought it for me, whatever it turns out to be. Thanks again and BLESSINGS!!!

Prism99

Well, whatever he gets, please tell him you don't want a Singer.

Ask for Sears Kenmore, Janome or Babylock. Sears machines are good. Babylock is widely available in places like Walmart, Target, Fleet Farm, etc.

sewwhat85

that is such a great son

Charming

Bless his heart. What a good son. I just bought today Mega quilter from Viking. I don't know much about it but i know three people who had it for years and they love it. It is not long arm but still very strong with no problems at all they told me. It still goes on a big frame (my frame is 120" wide). Also the price is really fair compared to others and this weekend they have the president's sale and I am not sure if this location only, but the dealer gave some people extra 10% senior discount (There was a couple buying one at the time and i was asking the dealer if they can adopt me for 10 min so i can get their discount.....lol).

Hope that helps