We all remember those mandatory sewing classes from 7th and 8th grade. Some of us loved them and others hated them. I loved them and was excited to learn more. As I got older, I bought a cheap sewing machine, and it did nothing but give me headaches. After some time, I decided I couldn’t sew and gave up. As time went on, I saw the beautiful clothes friends made, and decided to give it another try. I bought a better-quality machine and sewing became so much easier. I taught myself a lot and took a few classes where I learned even more. Buying that first good quality machine was something I did a long time ago. Today, sewing machine stores are filled with so many options, and it could be daunting to choose a machine. Following is information on how to buy a machine that is best for quilting.
Visit Your Local Sewing Machine Dealer
A sewing machine is essential for quilting and likely the most expensive part of quilting. You don’t need a sewing machine with a lot of bells and whistles, but there are some features that are nice to have for quilting. My best advice is to visit your local sewing machine dealer and have them help you choose a machine that fits your budget and meets your needs. I would recommend “test driving” a few different brands and models before you choose one.
Do Your Research
About 5 years ago I was in the market for a new sewing machine, and it was a difficult decision. I spent weeks doing research on all the different machines that fit my budget. I filled a notebook comparing all the different features of each machine. I went to several different sewing machine dealers to try out the various brands of machines. The major brands available in the U.S. are Baby Lock, Bernina, Brother, Husqvarna-Viking, Janome, Juki, Pfaff, and Singer. I don’t want to endorse any brand or machine because each brand has its positives and negatives. All the major manufacturers have machines with the essential features. Your best bet is to visit your local sewing machine dealer and try out a few different brands to see which one you feel most comfortable with.
The Local Sewing Machine Dealer Versus the Big Box Store
There are many great reasons to purchase your machine from a dealer instead of a big box store. One reason is that sewing machine dealers often have used machines that they have refurbished, they often come with a limited warranty, and refurbished machines are much cheaper. Another reason for purchasing your machine from a sewing machine dealer is they often offer free lessons teaching you how to use your new machine. A final reason for not buying from a big box store is the machines sold in big box stores aren’t made as well and are considered to be disposable and replaceable.
If You Must Buy Online
I do realize that not everybody has a sewing machine dealer within a reasonable distance from their home. If that is the case, and you need to order one online, you could still do your research, but unfortunately can’t actually “test drive” any machines. I’ve done extensive research on buying a machine online and, in my opinion, the best place is Sewing Machines Plus. They have two brick and mortar stores in California, they are reputable, and stand behind their products. Plus, if you should have a problem, they offer technical assistance via phone, and if your machine needs to be repaired you could ship it directly to them. If you are interested in this option, please click here: sewingmachinesplus.com.
Essential Features
The features I believe are most essential for quilting are a ¼” foot, the needle up/down button, and an adjustable speed dial or button. I recommend a ¼” foot with a guide because most quilt tops are sewn with a ¼” seam and the guide is helpful in keeping that ¼” seam. The needle up/down button is great for turning corners when you must pivot your fabric. This is especially helpful when you are sewing on the binding. The adjustable speed dial is something that most machines have and is especially helpful for new sewers to be able to control the speed and help keep an accurate ¼” seam.
Some other essential features are a machine where the feed dogs drop so you can free motion quilt, and a machine with a large throat space (the space to the right of the needle). A large throat space is especially useful when you are piecing or quilting larger quilts. It’s sometimes difficult to get a large quilt through a small throat space as you are trying to piece or quilt it. I suggest getting the largest throat space you could afford.
Other features that are nice to have, but not necessarily essential are an automatic needle threader, an automatic thread cutter that cuts both the top thread and the bobbin thread, and a presser foot lever that lifts the presser foot to an extra high position. The presser foot lever is especially useful when you have a seam to feed through that is several layers of fabric. This extra lift also comes in handy when you are quilting the quilt sandwich.
Think Outside of The Box
Before you buy your machine, spend some time “thinking outside the box.” Think about what projects you may want to do in the future and ways you may want to enhance your quilts as your skills expand. For example, when I make a quilt for a family member, instead of sewing the binding on with a straight stitch, I use a heart decorative stitch; therefore, I made sure to get a machine that has decorative stitches. If you think you might want to dabble in machine embroidery, you may want to get a machine that has embroidery capabilities. Don’t buy a machine that meets your current needs; instead, buy a machine that you could grow into as you learn new skills. If you only want to make quilts without any embroidery or other special stitches, reality is you only need a machine with a straight stitch, but you want that stitch to be a quality stitch. If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in a machine or you are just beginning and not sure if you will continue quilting, my recommendation is to purchase an inexpensive BabyLock machine. They are great machines with a low learning curve, and currently available for approximately $200.
When you’re finally ready to take the plunge and go try out different sewing machines, try not to purchase the machine that day. It can get confusing when you test drive several machines in the same day. I would recommend going home and thinking about it for a day or two before you dive in and buy the machine.
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