research for a new sewing machine

Thanks Mary. Yes, the Brother has been mentioned several times too. It also sounds like a great machine. I intend to take an in-depth look at it too. Really like the sound of that thread cutter. I know it's a small thing, but it's a pain to pull the piece out to cut the threads. Does it cut both the top and bobbin threads?

Hey another vote for Janome!. Janomes and Brothers seem to be especially popular.

Thanks Sandy!

That would be a good one ! Although I did see online that a gal took two 4' tables ..and used insulation board...2 diff thicknesses...and covered her table..then w/ plastic...and a cut out for her sm...If I find the url again I'll post it !...thought it was quite clever. She had had a LA before !

available...and

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This is a photo of the 'sewing desk' that I made using two bathroom-type cabinets.

DH just walked in as I was looking at your photos and remarked on on your neat and tidy room.

At the moment mine is a major mess with an extra ironing board set up in the middle of the room to support the quilt that I have been trying to quilt.... lol

One day I will get him to build a new sewing table but not until I get a new machine, and one day I will get him to build new cupboards but that won't be until I decide in what I really want.

Dee in Oz

Oh, Dee, if you had wandered thru that entire album there were before and after pics- the before was a horror! It is right now in a 'before' condition and needs help- desperately! LOL

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Umm, I did Leslie and at the moment it is even worse than the before photos...:-(

I have never taken photos..

DH was wondering what your design wall is. I said that it looked like batting..

Dee

Yes, it's Warm & White batting. That's what I've always used- when I didn't use Warm & Natural batting! VBG

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Yes , it does cut both top and bottom threads at the same time !

" .snipped:..

I bought a "SewEzi" table for when I go to classes or quilt retreats, they have inserts for most machines. I also own a horn cabinet/table with the air lift, it also has plexiglass inserts to fit various machines. Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Thanks! :-)

You're a girl after my own heart. I do agree. And believe it or not, I have a Singer man who *makes house calls!*

Sherry

I know you're looking for a new machine and you've already gotten some great suggestions But I'm surprised to hear that you feel your Kenmore won't do machine quilting. I've got about 10 vintage Kennies in my heard and have no problem FMQing with them....even the portable

-Irene

Hi Irene,

My Kenmore will quilt just fine for straight lines. I'm hoping to be able to do something fancier than that. I *thought* I needed a machine where I could drop the feed dogs, but by posing the question, I have learned that I could just cover them and probably do fine. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to. May not need a new machine after all, although I'll admit that some of the features like needle down, automatic thread cutting, and a larger arm are tantalizing. :-)

Do you have any tips?

Thanks!

Sometimes covering the feed dogs can be awkward- the card stock (or whatever you use to cover the feed dogs) won't stay in place, or it sticks up too high, etc. Setting your stitch length to zero works very well. I have free motioned with my feed dogs up, too. I felt it gave me some 'drag' and was a type of security blanket for me to move more evenly and slowly, but Pat on her hill and Polly ganged up on me and 'made' me put them in the down position and go for it! I am sooooooo glad they insisted! LOL FM'ing really is a hoot!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Michelle, what model Kennie do you have?

You don't have to cover the feed. Dropping feed is nice but you can also get great results by just setting the stitch length to "0". In fact some folks prefer that because the feed movememb helps establish a nice rhythm.

Yes, the newer features are indeed nice to have; if you do get another machine do keep your Kennie it will make a great 2nd machine or backup. I often have more than one machine set up; one for piecing, one for regular sewing, one for FMQing......

-Irene

I have tried FM with the feed dogs up. I can manage a little piece, but a full-size quilt didn't work out well at all. Okay, gotcha on setting the stitch length to zero as a possibility too. One of these days I'm going to get brave and try it. :-)

Right now, I'm quilting a summer weight quilt (don't think it'll be done in time to use THIS summer....) with no batting. I'm doing a lot of straight lines fairly close together. The Kenmore works great for this.

Hi Irene,

It's a Kenmore Model 385. I do love this machine--don't get me wrong. It's wonderful for piecing, and so quiet. And it is quilting my summer-weight quilt--no batting--like a dream. I would never give it up.

Gotcha on setting the stitch length to 0--that does sound easier than covering the feed dogs. One of these days, I've going to get out a spare block and give it a go. :-)

Thanks!