I am a beginner quilter and plan on doing most of my projects hand pieced. However, I don't wanted to be limited to hand piecing so I am taking a class in machine piecing. The only catch is I don't have a sewing machine! I have very little money to spend. Any suggestions on what sewing machine I would meet my needs?
You can use any type machine to sew your quilt squares together. It's when you do any finishing of your top, such as stippling that the machine type may make a difference. I have a old machine I use to sew may squares together, and a Bernina with emb. and quilting for my finishing work.
Annelee...if you're on a tight budget, try looking for a refurbished machine. I know my sewing machine store in Madison sells refurbished trade-ins very inexpensively just to get them out of the store! What's left gets shipped to Guatemala or donated to another charity. You might also try a Good Will or St.. Vincent de Paul. Just be sure to test run the machine while in the store. If nothing else, it would get you started.
Hi Anne, Look for a name brand used sewing machine such as Singer, Kenmore, Bernina, Viking. Make sure it runs and sews a good straight stitch. Check the top and bottom of the stitching. I have purchased used machines from gargage sales, auctions, thrift stores and sewing machine stores from as little as a dollar to $100. and all have worked until I could afford the Bernina of my dreams. I routinely machine piece on one machine and finsih quilt on another machine that has more features. Nancy
ALWAYS check your local newspaper ads, 1st ~ because then you can actually go and see the machine...take some fabric samples, a spool of thread...and ASK the Seller to let you try the machine. Try to buy it WITH an instruction book included. I bought a GREAT serger at a Garage or Estate Sale, hon for LESS than $50.00! If you can't find 1 at an estate or garage sale thru' local ads...then go to a local reputable dealer who sells either refurbished, &/or cleaned trade in machines...MOST dealers who sell new, have a STOCK of TRADE - INS in their warehouse or ''back rooms''....just ask, it doesn't hurt to ask! My sister bought hers like that for under $90! All you need is a machine that works well, and does a straight stiching! I have Jinny Beyers' book on Hand Quilting, contact me through eBay if you need any more advice about hand quilting, if I don't know it off the top of my head, I'll look in her book for you! Happy Quilting, DearieGal! Be Blessed! :)
The first machine I used to quilt was a very old singer that sounded like a freight train. But it sewed a good straigt line and that is all you need for pieceing, as other said it is only when you get into doing the quilting by machine that you need to look at a more expensive machine. We where in Turkey when I had this machine and I had a lady who came to my house and made clothes for me, she did the most amazing embroidery on the machine, things I could not do even now on an expensive fancy machine. Jo
Hello Annelee, I am a returning quilter you could say...I grew up with my mother and great/grandmother quilting...I to do alomost all of my quilting by hand, only have one started on a machine..I am using a New Home machine...vintage... ALL stainless steel...removable disk to change stiches..lol...It was my Mom's it's from the 60's...Even though I am only 43 I learned on a treadle....Still have it and it still sews!! My point any machine will work! My grandmothers never had the choices we have today and they have made Beautiful Quilts...Keep sewing by hand it seems to be a lost art! I do it and it drives my Mom nuts...Good Luck Stephanie
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