sewing machine for beginner

[jbaird]

Hi I am about to buy my first sewing machine to make quilts. I am amazed by the amount of different machines out there. Can anyone recommend a suitable machine?

[jcdeem]

I personally prefer the older machines, I have two Singers in cabinets, one is a 15-91 that was made in 1946 works perfectly and my other one is a 404 Slant machine that was made in 1959 and it too works perfectly.

you might try to see if you can find a older working machine somewhere and have a sewing machine repair shop look it over and make any necessary repairs.

there are others on here that have preferences on the newer machines, if you would rather have a new machine, ask yourself some questions on do you want to do only straight stitching or do you want to do fancier stitches as well, how often are you going to use it.

there are some on here that like Pfaff, Singer, Brother, Baby Lock, and so on, maybe they will weigh in to help you out with some advice to help you decide on what machine will be right for you, the more questions you have the better off you will be to decide on what sewing machine will work best for you.

jay

[quilterbee]

I like older machines too. They sew very quiet, smooth. I have many machines(19) and I have new and old. For my everyday sewing I use my Janome 6500, it's made specifically for quilting. Has a longer arm and built in scissors, leg lift etc. I also know of several ladies who have bought the Brother 6000i for around $150 online and love love love them. They call it a 10 pound dynamo! Just look around and weigh in your budget. If you want a TOL machine though, used is ususally your best bet. Amie )

[sadiedaisy1]

My first machine was an older machine, a Pfaff 1222E. My MIL bought it for me at an estate sale for $100. It sews great and is a work horse of a machine-all metal and pretty heavy. It has the integrated walking foot that fits on to most feet so I never had to have a separate walking foot for it. It's put away right now as I found a newer Pfaff (model 7550) on Craig's List and I love it! It has all the newer features that my old one didn't like needle down and a bobbin sensor. I also have a Viking Designer 1 that does embroidery, which I bought used at a sewing machine shop when the newer model came out. All of my sewing machines have been used and I've been very happy with all of them.

[campbellkid]

My suggestion would be to buy from a dealer, whatever brand you decide on, used or new; because they will stand behind the machine and offer you help if you need it. Many dealers also offer classes for the machines they sell.

[scrapquilter48]

J Baird,,

My older $10.00 singer machine with cabinet-yard sale, very good!
2nd machine: White/elna (good). Broke fan belt, then burnt motor from overuse. Sewed huge children's inventory for re-sale, machine had is full use..
3rd machine: Pfaff very sturdy, solid and strong, would compare it to old singer.

4th Were sergers White and Babylock
5th Bernina Deco very good, but damaged it at 1st session, not familiar with this embroidery. Don't like, cz limited to tiny logos only, and can't obtain anymore disc for the machine.
6th Running out of moolah, trying the Wal-mart, Zeller's for under $120.00 dollar machine, they have 1yr. warranty.

Some good used machines can be found on internet sites, for $25.00-75.00 but try them on site before bringing home, ask the owner if you can teach you how to use it! If they refuse, probably doesn't work best.

I sold some of dislike machines on radio-garage sale program. Approach local quilt quild in your area, maybe some ladies want to upgrade and will be glad to help you get started, throwing in alot of supplies for you to try...

Another, place for finds is in person, meet fabric production plant managers if any endbolts, they will never use or sell for you to practice.

I have worked in retail fabrics, wholesale fabrics, and manufacturing, found some fabrics for next to nothing to build my stash. I went through many types of beginner machines, one that stand out for me is the White/Elna, and Pfaff..Having said that the White has changed for the worse, wouldn't recommend it anymore..

At present, driving the brother/singer from Wal-mart, not the greatest but until my next rise in income this will have to do..

[Mamafitz62]

I had a Kenmore for 40 years. It was one of the last with an all metal head. A year and half ago my husband bought me (I had checked out numerous machines) a Baby Lock Espire. I love this machine, dearly love it. My husband made a machine quilting frame and put my old Kenmore on it. I live in Tulsa and went to BSewInn. They are the best. Whatever you choose, check it out. For me and my quilts I just love the Espire.

[B-LYN]

I just bought a BabyLock BLQC2 from a quilt shop that does classes, it was a class machine so I got it at a fair price. It is easy to use and I like it for machine quilting although I have only done a small quilt on it. I am still learning to use it but so far I am happy with it.

[TooMuchFabric]

The other day I was at my favorite sewing machine store and the clerk was telling a woman about a great deal for beginning stitchers. They offer beginning sewing classes that last 2 months and meet once a week on Mondays at either 2 pm or 6:30 pm (your choice) and it costs $199 but at the end of the classes you receive a "free" Baby Lock machine.

[1quiltinnana]

Visit dealers and Quilt Shops that sell machines. Test drive them and ask a lot of questions. Look for the features you want and know you will use. I have 2 machines currently in use, and, an old Kenmore that served me well for many years. It was my first basic sewing machine with a cabinet! I was thrilled to get it and I made my clothes for work and then later my little girl's clothes. Fun times! Now, I make quilts on my machines.