What are some good sewing machines for quilting?

Question

I have recently taken up quilting... I am about to finish my first quilt, which I have done entirely by hand, but I am getting antsy wanting to begin a new one. I've decided to start machine quilting to speed up the process, but I really don't know what machines would be best for a newbie like myself. I want something that is easy to use and reliable. Any suggestions? If possible, please include pros and cons to the machine you suggest, and also the approximate price. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Oh boy, I lust for a long arm quilter. If you haven't seen one in action check this out. these are more expensive than a regular sewing machine that will quilt. You've got to see this in action.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VItvT2Gk034

For a real treat, New England has several quilting camps. You go stay in a lovely bed and breakfast for a week or two and quilting classes are taught everyday. I met Alex Anderson at a craft fair several years ago and she had just come from what sounded like a glorious experience. Alex used to have a show on HGTV but I don't think it's on the air any longer. She does have a website alexandersonquilts.com, that you may want to check out. I believe she keeps a list of quilting  events, you might find something in your area.

I have a Pfaff that I love for quilting, theiy're excellant all around machines. If by any chance you have $1500 I seriously recommend a long arm though. When I had to send my Pfaff away for service i was in the middle of a project and impateint to get back to it so I went to Target and got a $150 Singer and had no trouble finishing the quilt. You can spend any amount of money. I would call your local fabric store and find out who teaches the quilting classes then stop by for a chat or ask if you can sit in on a class. I wouldn't buy your machine there but it's a great place for info. I would decide what you want and then start price shopping on the internet and by phone around town. I recently overheard a couple of quilters talking about using a Baby Loc machine for their quilting and being very happy with it, Bermina is another good brand. And within each brand you'll find you can spend anywhere from a couple of hundred to over a thousand dollars. some people swear by one brand and some another. I wouldn't trade my 10 year old Pfaff for anything, well, maybe a new Pfaff:).

EDIT

By the way, the dictionary defines  a quilt as " : a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs ". Quilts are an art form. I have seen some amazing work. If you're interested you can google "quilt gallery" and find tons of links. Here's one. At the top of the page click on "exhibitions", youre in for a real treat.

http://www.quiltvisions.org/gallery.asp

Answer 2

Quilts do NOT by definition need to be hand quilted. Our foremothers began using sewing machines widely in the 1860's to piece their quilts. Some are hand quilted...more of a social activitity at the time. I learned hand piecing first and hand quilting. While I like it best, 3 back surgeries prevent me from hand quilting. I quilt with my Viking Quilt Designer and I love it. It is a moderately priced machine. Find a Husquvarva/Viking dealer and go see the machines. Many people "trade up" as they get new machines, and you can pick one up used. My dealer sold me a machine that had 10 hours of sewing time (you can tell by the computer inside). They cleaned it and gave it a year warranty for one year. I paid $850.00, and the machine new can be $1500. I got a bunch of "D cards" with it. These embroidery card slide in the front of the machine to do some specialty stitches that would appeal to you as a quilter: stippling, blanket stitch for applique, applique stitch. Also flowers, leaves and letters etc. One stitch is a "mock" hand quilting stitch. If you get a machine, there are always d-cards available online for sale. Mine I bought 2 for $50 instead of $75 ea new. Your machine used should come with 4 or 5 new. Anyway: Pros - feed dogs drop for free motion quilting, specialty threads like metalics feed great. There is a sensor that "feels" how thick your fabric is and adjusts etc. I have pounded out a ton of small and large quilt projects on this machine. Oh, the best is that when you take your foot off the pedal, the needle stays down, so if you are turning a curve etc you dont have to lift the presser foot. Check for a local dealer and for their website. Good luck. IMHO, I prefer the machine to the infamous "Bernina" which is wonderful, but I think overpriced for what you get.

Answer 3

Long-arm sewing machines cost about as a much as a used car.  Many of us who make quilts do so without a long-arm machine.

A basic machine is all you need to piece blocks together.  With a basic machine and a walking foot, you can do machine quilting as well.  The Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine is about $200 and has a large table for quilting, a walking foot, and several stitches designed for quilts.  If you want to try free-hand quilting, you can drop the feed dogs on  this machine and go to it.

Answer 4

quilts, by definition, are hand made, just so you know

Answer 5

That's an easy one. Use the machine you have. When learning a new technique you really don't need the added stress of trying to master a new piece of equipment as well.

Get yourself a good book on Machine Quilting from one of the authors who specialise in it and follow the exercises.

Decide first if you actualy like machine quilting. If you decide that this is for you then try as many machines as you can. BUT remember you may still be happier with your original machine as you are familiar with it.

Answer 6

I have had 3 different Pfaff machines over 20 years and absolutely love using them.  I got my newest one - a 2056 - a couple months ago.  They are all computerized machines and they have integrated feed, which is like a built in even feed foot and  which makes piecing accurately so much easier.  It feeds both pieces of fabric through the machine at the same time so that neither piece slips. It assures that both pieces of fabric are even at the end of the seam, no matter how long the seam is.  Check the Pfaff website for a much better explanation.  The 2056 is amazingly easy to use.  It has a touch screen to choose the stitches and to modify them.  I love this machine.

I also have a Janome Platinum 760 that I take to classes and workshops because it weighs only 15 pounds.  It has many of the features of my Pfaff and was very inexpensive.  It sews like a dream, too.  I find that I can make accurate seams with it even tho it does not have the integrated feed.  

I have had a Bernina 440Q for two years and  it is a great machine also.  It came with an even feed foot and the stitch regulator for machine quilting.  I like it a lot, but not better than my Pfaff.  It is easy to use, but it is noisy.  It cost twice as much as my new Pfaff.

The best thing to do when choosing a new machine is to take pieces for a block to the shop and actually try out the machine by making a block.  You can get the feel for how the machine works this way.  You will find that it helps to take notes to review when you are finally ready to buy.  

Most of my friends have Janomes, Vikings, or Pfaffs.  The Vikings seem to be the most tempermental and the most difficult to get adjusted, but the girls love them.

To summarize -- I like the Pfaff and Janome for piecing and the Bernina for machine quilting.  I hope you find the machine that is right for you! Good luck!