Just getting Started (machine Advice)

[SarahBrowder]

I am just getting into quilting. I have always loved quilts, my grandmother used to make them by hand. My husband deployed agin so to pass the time i decided to try my hand at quilting, I am going to buy my first sewing machine within the next two weeks. I alwayed used my mother machine but i live in Germany and she lives in Alabama so that is not really going to work anymore. So i figured what kind of machine should i start with???? I need something for quilting as long as other projects, but mainly for quilting. I need one that i will be able to finish a whole quilt. Because it take s 3-6 just to ship something to the states so it would take longer than i would like to send in my quilts to have them finished. So are there any suggestions on what i should buy(at a reasonable price)????? PLEAE HELP!!!!

[Onetiredmomma]

Re: Just getting Started (machine Advice)

Sarah, I'm a newbie as well and here's my take on quilting and I hope one of the more experienced quilters will correct me if I'm wrong. With a regular machine you can piece your quilts, (and later bind it) and as long as you can lower the feed dogs and find the right foot you can even quilt it with your machine. However, once you start getting into bigger sized quilts if you want to quilt with a machine the weight of the quilt is too much to handle and is too bulky with a regular machine so you can quilt it by hand or you can use a long arm machine, Whig I can tell you nothing about since I've only seen pictures and videos of them. I hope this helps.

[Lola2Ace]

Re: Just getting Started (machine Advice)

If you can find a shop that is a licensed dealer of machines, that would be best. Try out all of the machines and decide what would work the best for what you want to do. If you purchase from a dealer, they usually offer classes to learn the machine and maintenance and repairs. Sometimes they offer used machines or floor models at a reduced price, that's how I got my machines and I haven't had a bit of trouble with them.
Good luck and welcome to the forum!
Lola

[shell.scraps]

Re: Just getting Started (machine Advice)

I have a brother mid-level machine (not the walmart or target machine but not a $1000 machine either) and I have been able to quilt a queen size with it. It really depends on your set up and the throat of the machine. I got one that is a "quilter" version, so the throat is a little bit longer and wider than if it were just a regular embroidery or sewing machine. I also have several tables that are all the same height that I can make a large level area for my quilts to set on when I am quilting to minimize the weight and pulling issue.

I agree that you need to go to a sewing store and test them out. Otherwise what you think will be a great machine just won't work out for you.

Good Luck!!

[Eaglefeather_Indiana]

Re: Just getting Started (machine Advice)

can you find a sewing machine repair place in germany? they may have a machine there. I suggest you get as much machine as you can afford. Buying a "good" sewing machine is like buying a car. You test drive a car before you drive it, should do the same with a sewing machine.

As far as throat depth wow this is important!!! I have a viking saphire 830 with a longer throat(the throat is measured from the right of the needle to the right inside of the machine's throat) sorry terminolgy may not be correct. but you get the idea. my Machine has a nine inch throat.

Also what about the power there? If you ship one from the states the power (from the local electric company) may not be usable on any appliance bought in the good ol USA.

Chris