Sewing machine recommendation for beginners?

If he can get find out specifically what kinds of quilting projects she's interested in doing BEFORE shopping, that might help to decide which machine to go with. If she's never sewn before, she may have a better experience with one of the electronic machines so that she can concentrate on learning sewing rather than fine tuning the machine. If staying under $1000, a machine definite is one with a walking foot accessory. Before I bought my Brother QC1000, and I still have my Janome MC6500, I looked at the 6600 and the Pfaff with the automatic feed. For me personally, I found it too bulky to work with when trying to quilt a larger project. And I didn't want it there when I didn't need it for regular sewing, which I do a lot of. Since I bought the QC1000, I haven't touched the Janome because there hasn't been anything it couldn't handle better. Over my 40 years of sewing, I've had Singer, Riccar, Kenmore, Viking, Janome, and now Brother. Wore out most, literally. And I find that I really enjoy letting the machine self-adjust, but still having the option to fine-tune when I want. As for other equipment, I agree with all the other suggestions, i.e. cutter, mat, etc. But to try and setup a 'studio' in a condo means most things will probably have to do double-duty, especially furniture. A sewing table that has an extra drop down top, and lowers the machine out of the way when using it for cutting would be useful. Koala has an excellent but somewhat pricey variety to choose from. A storage cupboard with something like a closet organizer would be useful for both her stash and supplies. If it has a sliding door, that could be covered with felt to use as a design board. Extra shelves can be mounted over the doorway, windows, etc., places that won't take up floor space. I think you get the idea here, with limited floor space.

Connie

for any new quilter/sewer, I would suggest getting a good used machine (garage sale, Craigs list etc). As a beginner you will only use a few stitches anyway. Start at the bottom and trade up to a better machine.

Like others, I'd suggest a no-frills sewing machine that simply works. Mother had one of those fancy ones that did all the fancy stitches and frankly it intimidated me. I ended up giving it away... no, not a quilting machine -- but it was a pretty decent Singer. Even knowing how to sew/thread it, it just never did work well with me.

So, a decent sewing machine (nothing too fancy) and:

Omnimat cutting mat (larger is better, plus I use my 8x11 frequently because it's so handy) BEFORE purchasing a cutting mat, give it the sniff test. If it smells funky, it will always smell awful.

A rotary cutter and spare blades. I prefer the smaller ones, but my hands are small. Size counts -- match the hand.

Rulers -- Omnigrid have easy to see lines. Omnigrip too. I prefer my

Scissors -- and snips. Don't go cheap either. Gingers are nice....

Notions: Straight pins with glass ends (pick pretty ones!) A pin cushion (or two) -- there are lots of pretty ones Safety pins A magnet to hold pins There are stick on 1/4" gizmos to fit on your sewing machine so you will know where to make your seams. One of them! Needle threaders (at least 3) Wax (it comes in a small circular container for hand stitching) Needles -- and a pretty needle case too Thimbles (chose a variety -- I prefer leather, but some like other varieties Template plastic (near the quilt books usually)

A beginner quilting book or three, plus a gift certificate to Amazon for More! A Keepsake Quilting membership and catalog -- plus a Gift Certificate from there

And a gift certificate to classes at your Local Quilt Shop, along with a gift certificate to buy fabric

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Goodness, isn't it fun spending someone else's money!?!

Snipped- I looked at the 6600 and the Pfaff with the automatic feed. For me personally, I found it too bulky to work with when trying to quilt a larger project. And I didn't want it there when I didn't need it for regular sewing,

End snippage

I have owned a Janome 6600 for 9 months and spent- literally- hundreds of hours sewing with it. This information is not correct- altho it may be her opinion. The Accu-Feed (which acts as a walking foot but is built into the machine) is much LESS bulky than a walking foot attachment. And you can sew at a much faster speed than you can sew with a walking foot attachment. It swings completely out of the way when not in use- you can't even see it so it does not interfere with 'regular sewing'. It has nothing to do with 'regular sewing'. You can swing it into operational position in less than 2 seconds- try attaching a walking foot in that amount of time. And it is completely out of the way when free motion quilting- you attach the free motion foot just like any other sm that is not equipped with the built in walking foot.

Leslie- wearing my cranky panties when you dis my sm, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

Well I will have to admit I never read this thread at all but... I will have to agree with Leslie on the accufeed. I never did use that horribly expensive walking foot I bought for my old machine, it was a beast to work with and very bulky. The accufeed is amazing, and it works soooo good :) I too love my 6600 :) (Which btw was designed using the feedback of Canadian quilters.... just some cool trivia)

Carissa in BC Canada (yay) lol

In addition to the good ideas that others have written about, may I suggest that the quilty thing I couldn't live without is a sturdy table positioned such that it can be walked AROUND. A big table in a corner isn't nearly as good as a smaller table pulled out from the wall so I can move me instead of trying to turn the fabric.

--Lia

I agree. And yet, a funny thing happened on the way back from the quilt class. I've always been the sort of person you describe. I'd get enthusiastic about something (or my parents would get enthusiastic for me), would make plans, spend some money, and would never follow anything through. I've got long lists of projects I was going to complete, languages I was going to learn, directions I was going to go.

When I took my first quilt class, there was no reason to believe this was going to be any different. I was apathetic when I signed up, liked the first lesson, went back, did everything badly, finished a quilt, and decided to make another. I remember showing that first quilt to my sister-in-law. It represented every mistake in the book, but it had some pretty fabrics in it, did have a binding, and was done. My s-i-l was impressed and kept saying "you finished it. Isn't that great? I mean, it must feel great," and I was so shocked that I wasn't sure how I felt.

Quilting is the first thing (besides reading) that I've taken up and kept with.

I started with my grandmother's 70s era Sears machine and later, after it was clear that quilting was something I was going to do and keep doing, graduated to my Pfaff.

--Lia

My most used are 7" sq. and 7" x 14". I have a 15" sq. and 20 1/2" sq. and a

My peg board wall was crowded with specialty rulers that seldom were used. I recently put them all in a clear plastic storage box where they will be available the few times a year I need them. Yes, it will take some sifting through to find the one I want but when stored on the peg board they were stacked on top of each other. As I looked through a hook full to find the right one I often knocked others off. When they fell they would go behind the shelving. Digging in a box can't be much harder.

As for which ruler I use the most, it depends >

I've tried both methods and hated both equally because it was just too easy for me to make mistakes. If I don't have the size square ruler I need I prefer to measure and make markings, then use the longest ruler to rotary cut. Debra in VA See my quilts at