Encouragement
11-08-2013, 08:43 PM
#61
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 10,357
I agree with Dolphyngyrl. I'd love to have a Porsche . . . but my little Civic will take me anywhere a Porsche would.
I've been sewing, for over 50 years (started as a young child) and most of my adult life, sewed on a Sears Kenmore. I made my first quilt on that machine, as well as clothing and hundreds of craft items. A few years ago, after my trusty Kenmore developed problems, I finally decided to upgrade to a new Janome (by that time, it was within our budget). I have to admit I love that machine and it's more 'fun' to sew on it . . . BUT it hasn't improved my actual skills. Whether or not I sew a straight line is up to me, not the machine.
My advice is to just have a heart-to-heart talk with your wife. If the machine of her dreams is not in the budget, then encourage her to cut back on something else and start saving for her dream machine. If she doesn't want to quilt until she has that machine, then she doesn't really want to quilt.
I've been sewing, for over 50 years (started as a young child) and most of my adult life, sewed on a Sears Kenmore. I made my first quilt on that machine, as well as clothing and hundreds of craft items. A few years ago, after my trusty Kenmore developed problems, I finally decided to upgrade to a new Janome (by that time, it was within our budget). I have to admit I love that machine and it's more 'fun' to sew on it . . . BUT it hasn't improved my actual skills. Whether or not I sew a straight line is up to me, not the machine.
My advice is to just have a heart-to-heart talk with your wife. If the machine of her dreams is not in the budget, then encourage her to cut back on something else and start saving for her dream machine. If she doesn't want to quilt until she has that machine, then she doesn't really want to quilt.
My husband just got me a 1989 Nissan S Cargo, because I complained my station wagon was costing too much at the fuel pump. I quilt using a vintage machine. I do admit to being quite keen on a sweet sixteen....but it's not going to stop me quilting if I don't get one. Tell her to come by the board here.....the machines and methods are diverse and the quilts amazing - and there's always handwork - some quilters don't use a machine at all.
11-08-2013, 10:03 PM
#62
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,602
I didn't read all of the responses, so if I'm echoing someone else's suggestions, I apologize.
I'm wondering how possible it would be for you to enlist the help and expertise of her friend who has the higher end machine. Ask her for help in determining what your wife wants, what she really needs, and maybe some recommendations for machines and dealers. You may find a great deal on refurbished machines or machines that were exchanged for an upgraded model.
11-08-2013, 10:13 PM
#63
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 4,099
I have the cadalac. Most of my quilting is done on the Brothers Nouville 1500S. It's a semi industrial model with a good motor. Kensquilting has recently had it on sale for $540. I was real tempted to get another, I love it so much. It does straight stitch and great quilting. This coveres 98% of what I do.
11-08-2013, 10:19 PM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 309
I have my mums old Husqvarna Automatic from 1961. It pieces and quilts just as well as my Pfaff Creative from 2008 does. It's all metal and a slippery surface and is very, very robust.
The quilting is not so much in the machine as in the feet...
The quilting is not so much in the machine as in the feet...
11-08-2013, 10:29 PM
#65
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
Posts: 1,180
I do most of my sewing on a 1939 Singer 201 that cost $20. I do have newer machines with fancy stitches, but this one is my favorite. Most quilting is straight-stitch only, so all the fancy stitches are not needed. If your wife wants to do it badly enough, perhaps she'll be willing to make do with a used machine until you can save up for the one she really wants.
11-08-2013, 11:56 PM
#66
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Hi,
I'll start out and say I'm not a quilter, nor do I intend to be one. I'm posting for help for my wife. She recently started quilting with a friend and has become addicted. She has been using her friend's machine (a very VERY nice one from what I hear) and is now discouraged from starting to quilt on her own. We don't have the finances to acquire a machine of the caliber that she has been using (several thousand dollars), and she is now saying that she doesn't want to do it at all since we can't afford the machine her friend has at home.
My question is: how can I encourage her? I want her to continue since it makes her happy, but she seems convinced that she can't sew without a high end machine. I know nothing about sewing machines, but I do know that there has to be some sort of machine that can do the basics (which is her skill level at the moment). There's surely some sort of machine that can support her new interest and carry her through until we CAN afford a nice machine.
I would really appreciate some advice on this. I want her to continue quilting but I need advice on how to keep her going until we can afford something really nice. Is there something she could start on and step up to another machine later? I'm out of my depth here.
I'll start out and say I'm not a quilter, nor do I intend to be one. I'm posting for help for my wife. She recently started quilting with a friend and has become addicted. She has been using her friend's machine (a very VERY nice one from what I hear) and is now discouraged from starting to quilt on her own. We don't have the finances to acquire a machine of the caliber that she has been using (several thousand dollars), and she is now saying that she doesn't want to do it at all since we can't afford the machine her friend has at home.
My question is: how can I encourage her? I want her to continue since it makes her happy, but she seems convinced that she can't sew without a high end machine. I know nothing about sewing machines, but I do know that there has to be some sort of machine that can do the basics (which is her skill level at the moment). There's surely some sort of machine that can support her new interest and carry her through until we CAN afford a nice machine.
I would really appreciate some advice on this. I want her to continue quilting but I need advice on how to keep her going until we can afford something really nice. Is there something she could start on and step up to another machine later? I'm out of my depth here.
If she is just piecing, a $24 craigslist sewing machine works great. I've done probably 30 rag blankets since I picked up this winner. Plus over 300 tissue covers, several dozen pillowcases (including 9 today), a few dozen mug rugs, granddaughter dresses..............................
Piecing just requires a nice clean straight stitch-------------which a cheap machine can do.
If she's doing the finish quilting, I can't help. I don't have the patience to do it.
11-09-2013, 12:07 AM
#67
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
11-09-2013, 12:16 AM
#68
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
Maybe it's not the bells and whistles, as most quilters really only need straight stitch and a 1/4" foot as someone else mentioned.
Maybe it is the fact that her machine doesn't work well and is frustrating to use. If the stitches don't look good, then, you have problems with the tension, then sewing can be more frustrating than enjoyable.
So, my advice..find out why. If she just "wants" bells and whistles, then tough (as many people want that--many experienced seamstresses.) If, however, she just wants a machine that sews beautifully without frustration, I think we are all here ready to help.
Maybe it is the fact that her machine doesn't work well and is frustrating to use. If the stitches don't look good, then, you have problems with the tension, then sewing can be more frustrating than enjoyable.
So, my advice..find out why. If she just "wants" bells and whistles, then tough (as many people want that--many experienced seamstresses.) If, however, she just wants a machine that sews beautifully without frustration, I think we are all here ready to help.
11-09-2013, 12:20 AM
#69
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
11-09-2013, 04:22 AM
#70
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,103
Ask your wife about the features she finds so useful on her friend's machine. As someone suggested! have her start saving for the machine of her dreams. In the meantime, help her choose a less expensive model to "keep in practice". Once she gets used to it, she may see less need to spend thousands on all the bells and whistles.
Both Janome and Brother have some very nice machines in the $300 - $800 range that have lots of bells and whistles. I have a Janome that has more stitches than I will ever use, but I almost always use my 1948 Vintage Singer 15 that only has straight stitch.
Good luck!
PS I take it you have read the Ender' Game series as evident by your screen name!
Both Janome and Brother have some very nice machines in the $300 - $800 range that have lots of bells and whistles. I have a Janome that has more stitches than I will ever use, but I almost always use my 1948 Vintage Singer 15 that only has straight stitch.
Good luck!
PS I take it you have read the Ender' Game series as evident by your screen name!
Last edited by lovelyl; 11-09-2013 at 04:26 AM.
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