Encouragement
11-09-2013, 08:58 AM
#91
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
As GEMRM said - find out the features your wife likes on her friend's machine, then go to a reputable sewing machine dealer where you can find a machine that will do what she wants at a lower price, and they almost always have used machines for sale. Sewing machines are like cars - your first car doesn't have to be a Jag.
11-09-2013, 09:03 AM
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 334
Tell her not to be discouraged because she doesn't have a top of the line machine. I've been quilting/ sewing for over 5 years and I still use my $100 machine my parents bought me when I first started. Yeah it's not the prettiest and it sometimes doesn't sound very nice, but it does what I need it to do. I know some day I'll get a better machine, but for now this is what I have.
11-09-2013, 09:08 AM
#93
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: san diego, ca
Posts: 226
Costco has a very nice Brothers machine for under $200 it is a very good machine and has automatic threader and many decorative stitches. I have one and I also have a Janome 6600 that I paid over $1000 for it. If I could afford to buy only one machine the Brothers is the one I would purchase.
11-09-2013, 09:43 AM
#94
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
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.
11-09-2013, 09:49 AM
#95
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 6,958
I started quilting with a high end machine (Viking Designer 1 - turned out to be overkill for me), sold it, and bought a Pfaff with less bells and whistles. However, I use my 1950 Featherweight more often than the Pfaff for any piecing, but any basic machine with a straight stitch minimum will do.
As others have already stated, the cost of the machine and the bells and whistles do not make the machine nor the quilter. You do with what you can afford. The other option is go to hand piecing, which costs nothing but time and thread. Many people find that peaceful.
As others have already stated, the cost of the machine and the bells and whistles do not make the machine nor the quilter. You do with what you can afford. The other option is go to hand piecing, which costs nothing but time and thread. Many people find that peaceful.
11-09-2013, 10:00 AM
#96
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I just wanted to add that my first machine was an industrial machine I purchased from Montgomery Wards when they closed their factory in Portland, OR in 1975. It was huge, ugly, in a solid Oak cabinet complete with inkwell for marking patterns I guess, and I made all of my daughter's dresses with it and also my first quilt. It went forward and back only, but I could use it when I was in the mood cause it was MINE! I still miss that machine. The older machines tend to be much more durable and need way fewer trips for repair. Look around under 'vintage machines' here on the board for more info about older machines. Good luck sir.
11-09-2013, 10:13 AM
#97
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 724
"she is now saying that she doesn't want to do it at all since we can't afford the machine her friend has"
My thought is, if she loves quilting it wouldn't matter what kind of machine you have. She sounds young, and sometimes you get the best stitches from an older machine that does just straight stitches. and sometimes you can pick those up at yard sales or craigslist for $25.00 Those are very nice to learn on. It sounds like she learned how to use her friends machine, so she would be more comfortable with one like it. I think she could get any kind of sewing machine and she would find all the support and encouragement right here on the board to do some fabulous quilts, its not the machine that makes the quilts great it is the creativity of the operator.
My thought is, if she loves quilting it wouldn't matter what kind of machine you have. She sounds young, and sometimes you get the best stitches from an older machine that does just straight stitches. and sometimes you can pick those up at yard sales or craigslist for $25.00 Those are very nice to learn on. It sounds like she learned how to use her friends machine, so she would be more comfortable with one like it. I think she could get any kind of sewing machine and she would find all the support and encouragement right here on the board to do some fabulous quilts, its not the machine that makes the quilts great it is the creativity of the operator.
11-09-2013, 11:05 AM
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 433
i'm sure that you have gotten lots of good ideas from here. Possibly the same as mine: i know how she feels. My first machine was a new singer my spouse bought for me at the Navy Exchange. I didn't like it, it seemed like i was always fussing with it. I found a used demo machine at a Bernina dealership, bought the machine in 1980, we still use it today and i only had it serviced 4x. Each time after it made a wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. It it okay to go used, just do it with a good machine that has been serviced.
Your wife is blessed to have a spouse who wants her to have a hobby that brings her joy. I'm sure that you will find a way.
Your wife is blessed to have a spouse who wants her to have a hobby that brings her joy. I'm sure that you will find a way.
11-09-2013, 11:17 AM
#99
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
Everyone here is right on. It doesn't matter what the hobby/craft/profession is, the skill is in the person, not the tools. Good tools do make the job easier but what is really needed? Personally I like antiques and have pretty much fallen in love with vintage sewing machines.
If your wife likes antiques see if you can find an old machine she can test drive the next time you are together. She might find a lot of joy in using that vintage machine like I and many others here on this forum do. Singer model 15s and thier clones are highly thought of for both piecing and free motion quilting. Singer 201s were THE CADILLAC of the sewing world for many years. You've read many recommendations for Singer model 221 and 222 featherweights as well. They're beautiful machines and on my wish list. I have a Singer model 66 that I love, I bought it for $20 less than a month ago. The going rate for the featherweights seems to be around $250, the others can be had in good shape for far less. You don't need to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars for a high quality machine. Many beautiful quilts were made with nothing more than these basic machines way before anyone had heard of a long arm machine.
Rodney
If your wife likes antiques see if you can find an old machine she can test drive the next time you are together. She might find a lot of joy in using that vintage machine like I and many others here on this forum do. Singer model 15s and thier clones are highly thought of for both piecing and free motion quilting. Singer 201s were THE CADILLAC of the sewing world for many years. You've read many recommendations for Singer model 221 and 222 featherweights as well. They're beautiful machines and on my wish list. I have a Singer model 66 that I love, I bought it for $20 less than a month ago. The going rate for the featherweights seems to be around $250, the others can be had in good shape for far less. You don't need to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars for a high quality machine. Many beautiful quilts were made with nothing more than these basic machines way before anyone had heard of a long arm machine.
Rodney
11-09-2013, 11:36 AM
#100
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 926
Simply tell her that if everyone needed a fancy machine to quilt the world would be a very cold place because there would be a lot less quilts. Fancy machines while nice are not necessary. Tell her you'll never be able to drive a car unless you have a ferarri and she will see how silly it sounds. Also tell her there are nice machines that don't cost thousands of dollars. Also most people start out with the low end machines. I did for 10 years before i got my nice machine.
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