| p>With the variety of sewing machines available, | | | | quilt top, batting and quilt backing evenly through the |
| making a decision of which sewing machine to | | | | machine as the quilt is stitched, reducing puckering and |
| purchase is much more complex than it was way | | | | unsightly folds. |
| back when..... | | | | Another consideration if you will be doing much |
| Today's quilters are presented with some interesting | | | | machine quilting is to purchase a sewing machine that |
| and fun options that can make their quilting more | | | | is ideal for machine piecing, and a separate longarm |
| interesting and relaxing. | | | | machine just for machine quilting. In the past, these |
| Many of the more popular brands, including Singer, | | | | machines were designed and priced for the |
| Simplicity, Janome, Brother, White and Necci sewing | | | | professional market. As with many things, the |
| machines feature an LCD display, dial-a-stitch selector, | | | | technology has improved, demand has increased, and |
| automatic needle threader, convertible free arm, | | | | now longarm quilting machines are more of an option |
| extension table, electronic speed control, drop in bobbin, | | | | for home quilters. |
| and computerized stitch selection, to name just a few. | | | | Once you have decided how you will use your |
| These machines sew not only straight stitches, but zig | | | | machine and what features are important to you, the |
| zag, button hole, and fancy embroidery stitches. | | | | next step is to ponder the particular brands available. |
| Several sewing machine companies cater to the | | | | Price is not always a determination of quality, so a visit |
| quilting market by including speed adjustments to make | | | | to a local sewing machine store - whether it is the |
| machine quilting easier. The White 1740 Quilter's | | | | community Sew and Vac, a Walmart, Sears, or |
| Machine has an extra wide extension bed to support | | | | something else - where you can "test drive" the |
| your work, and reduce pulling and stretching. The | | | | machines might be the next order of business. |
| Simplicity American Quilter sewing machine features a | | | | Trying several different brands with different features |
| convertible free-arm and snap-on presser foot. All of | | | | will give you an idea of what you prefer. A |
| that and they are lightweight, too - so you can easily | | | | conversation with a sewing machine repair person will |
| transport your machine to your quilting class. | | | | give you a hint about brands that need a lot of service |
| In addition to regular sewing machines, there are | | | | and those which last years with just a yearly tune up. |
| sergers and longarm quilting machines to consider. | | | | Once you have narrowed it down to a particular brand |
| Prices for sewing machines range from around $100 | | | | or two, and know which features are important, the |
| up to, well, in the thousands. | | | | next step is to do some research on price and |
| All of these choices are wonderful, yet how to decide. | | | | availability. The internet offers some great choices for |
| Before making your purchase, you should decide how | | | | saving money - eBay, overstock.com, |
| you will use your machine, and whether you might | | | | PriceGrabber.com, etc. While these sources offer |
| want more than one machine. Those decisions can be | | | | good savings, they may not provide a guarantee or |
| made within the context of your budget and lifestyle, in | | | | the service you may want for your machine. If your |
| addition to your commitment to quilting and the type of | | | | local Sew and Vac will service the machine once you |
| quilting you will be doing. | | | | have it, the price savings may prove worthwhile. |
| If you are going to be using your machine only for | | | | Used sewing machines may also be a consideration. |
| machine piecing quilt tops, and not doing any machine | | | | Some of the older machines are in excellent condition |
| quilting or fancy stitching, a fairly simple sewing | | | | and offer features not found on current machines. |
| machine will likely serve your needs. If you are going to | | | | Singer Featherweight sewing machines from the 40s |
| purchase only one machine and are planning to take it | | | | and 50s are still popular with quilters. These little |
| to quilting classes with you, weight and bulk may be a | | | | machines are like the Energizer Bunny - they just keep |
| consideration. In addition, it may be important for the | | | | going and going. They are lightweight and simple. Some |
| machine to come with a carrying case; and possibly | | | | have attachments, many just sew forward and |
| space in the carrying case for some sewing supplies. | | | | backward and are perfect for machine piecing. Keep |
| If you are planning to machine piece your quilt tops and | | | | them oiled and they will last many lifetimes! |
| machine quilt the completed project, a heavier duty | | | | Wouldn't it be nice if the decision were easier, and you |
| machine with the power to glide through multiple layers | | | | could just "call Sears" and order the machine? On the |
| of fabric and batting would be a better choice. In | | | | other hand, isn't it fantastic that the quilting days of 75 |
| addition, you may want to look for a machine that | | | | years ago are behind us and we can now create |
| offers a "walking foot," or something similar, or possibly | | | | quilts using technology that encourages our creativity! |
| even built into the machine. This feature will feed the | | | | |