wishfulthinking

I started quilting on my old Kenmore. I'd read all the quilting blogs and see the gorgeous work others were doing on their expensive, fancy machines and I longed for one so very much. I just knew that if I had one like that, I'd be an incredible quilter and artist. A couple of years ago, I got what for me is an expensive machine. It does have a few features that are very convenient, mostly for free motion quilting, but more and more I find myself appreciating the old Kenmore. It's basic and it does the job. The new machine is finnicky and choosy about threads. I have to keep stopping and correcting settings when what I want to do is just power on through. Anyway, I hear great things about Juki machines and I think they aren't too expensive.

abdconsultant

Don't fall for that line! if she really wants to sew she would use anything including her own two hands.

lclang

Nab the lady she quilts with and have her go with you to any local shops that handle sewing machines. Perhaps they have a used machine that will provide all the features she thinks she needs. It is a mistake to think you have to have the latest and fanciest machine to make quilts, remember the old timers made fantastic quilts with treadles that only sewed forward and maybe did a backstitch. I am 80 years old and have sewn with many different kinds of machines and I now have a couple of fancy ones but I still love my little featherweight and it makes a wonderful tight stitch that is hard to beat. Look on e-bay. I bought a new Babylock, everything still in the plastic packets and packed in the original box for half what it was selling for at the Babylock web site. Take your time and really find out what she wants. It can be done without a great expenditure!

sparkys_mom

I bought a Brother CS6000i from Walmart for under $200. I used it exclusively for about three years and then I bought a more expensive machine. I still take the Brother to workshops as it is very light and easy to carry. It also makes a nice backup when my bigger machine goes in for service. She should not be lured by expensive machines. The result is in the maker, not the machine.

I bought a machine that was around $2500 at the time. If I had it to do over, I'd buy a less expensive one. The Juki can be had for about $1000 and it is a workhorse.

I'm always amazed at the work some people turn out with small, inexpensive machines.

Buying a big expensive camera will not turn anyone into an Ansel Adams but I'd bet anything that Ansel Adams could have produced magnificent photos with a Kodak Brownie.

Good luck!

Ellietow

I love my machine... It's janome made, and janome markets one exactly like it for several hundred dollars more...it sells for $299 new at allbrands, and I would get it again... Needle up-down, which people like, computerized...
http://www.allbrands.com/products/32...s?img_id=45521
good luck... Hope your wife continues!

cjaneky

There is a nice Brother machine at Walmart for $199. has several different stitches and is a quilting machine...or check with sewingplus.com they have a lot of different machines , some on sale, for reasonable monthly payments...i started with my mothers 1968 White and still use it and also have a high dollar Janome 7700 machine so either way i get the job done...your wife should realize most people start small and go from there.....my husband has been very supportive and has also helped me pick our fabric and then my new machine...you deserve a pat on the back for the encouragement you give her....

Aurora

I use and love a $50 vintage machine. It has the power I need and sews more consistently than several of the newer more expensive machines of my friends. When I began sewing over 30 years ago I purchased an inexpensive machine to be sure I liked sewing, after two years of making all my own cloths I purchased a higher end machine; but I wanted to be sure I would use it first.

maviskw

I think the important word here is "can". A lot of the basic tools and good fabric can be had for little money. If you are looking for fabric, there are lots of hints on this board for getting it. Estate and garage sales, thrift stores, old clothing, friends. A lot of quilters throw out their scraps, which we find has very large pieces in it, and only needs a background neutral to make a very beautiful quilt.

Glenda Kay

You might remind her that many, many beautiful quilts were made on treadle machines or totally by hand. Quilting is an art, hobby, passion, obsession, etc. I am 70 years old and making all the quilts that I can now that I'm retired. I've never had a sewing machine that cost over $350. And I only got this one a couple of years ago. Where there is a will there is a way. In my opinion, a beginning quilter would have trouble learning to use the fancy machine when she should be learning to make quilts. Happy quilting to her!

ShirlinAZ

I just started teaching my granddaughter to quilt. Since I don't want her inexperienced little hands in my expensive Pfaff, I am teaching her on an inexpensive little Brother brand machine. Doing this, I realized that what I truly love about my Pfaff is the way the 3 layers of fabric feed. Pfaff has a dual feed function that makes this happen. In our next session I will put the even-feed foot on the Brother machine so she can get the same results. Make sure she has an even-feed foot for her machine - these feet are available for all brands of machines. To encourage her, buy her quilting tools, fabric, or gift cards to stores that sell them. Your gifts don't have to be big or expensive, just meaningful. Talk to her friend that she sews with to see if she can give you some ideas. And by all means, compliment your wife's work. You're a good man to be so supportive and caring.