sewing machine shopping list

Good Morning!!

I use my knee lever because I need another hand to lift the presser foot when I am free motion quilting. If I had to use a button on the front of the machine I would defeat the purpose of having the "extra hand". It is really helpful when I want to reposition my fabric.

Yes, as Gen stated, it does have 7 LCD lights. At my age I find I am needing a little more light when I sew, of course it doesn't help that I painted the walls a dark color in my sewing room. A definite bonus.

I must get some fat quarter sandwiches together for Friday and a few pieces of fabric to sew together. Thread!!! And I don't want to forget the thread. :-)

Also another thing I like about the Quest is.....it is a rotary hook with a bobbin case in the vertical position, not a rotary with the drop in bobbin. I have not had much luck with the drop ins, always seem to goof them up. JMHO, I know it is just me. :-)

Marsha

On Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:36:59 -0500, Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote (in article ):

My machine has a needle up/down function by pressing a button or tapping on the foot peddle. No need for a knee lift. I think its probably more important to find a machine that allows you to put needle up or down without taking your hands off the quilt--knee lift, footpeddle, whatever.

Maureen

My knee lift doesn't affect the needle position, just the presser foot. . In message , Maureen Wozniak writes

Leslie, I also have problems with my feet and the foot pedal. I tried one of the foot pedal holders that is supposed to make it easier. It didn't until I turned it around. It now holds my foot pedal so that it is basically flat. Much easier on my foot/ankle.

When I worked doing alterations/tailoring I used commercial/industrial machines which have the knee lift. On the right side. Which is also the knee that I ended up having 2 separate surgeries on. Have always wondered if there was a connection. you do get used to moving the knee without pressing the foot, if the knee lift is positioned correctly. But I don't usually see the need for it.

As for the on-off button to run the machine.... I agree. No way to control the speed and such. plus, if I have both hands manipulating fabric, how do I stop "NOW".

Pati, in Phx, who should be in getting ready to leave tomorrow morning.........

Leslie & The Furbabies > I'm ambi-footed! LOL When one foot tires of doing the pedal, I just

Yes, and I wish I'd known about that back then as I would have upgraded to it . DH bought me this machine as a surprise C.mas gift one year complete with a cabinet. Mary

Did you do any free motion quilting? Lots. Very easy. Gen

Boy, are you right about that, Taria! In Friday's class I was using my Featherweight, and my right knee kept looking for my knee lift! LOL!

When I ordered my new Quest, I also spent a couple hours trying it out. I even made a buttonhole, which maybe not too many quilters do. After you've attached the buttonhole foot, you just place the button in the back of it, and the machine measures and sews the appropriate size buttonhole. I was very impressed with the lighting, the needle up/down, the knee lifter, the freearm capability, the number of feet included with the machine, the number of feet that can be used with the even feed system, and the number of needle positions. I tried free-motion quilting, and it went very smoothly. As someone else mentioned, the only thing it doesn't have, is the thread cutter button. I tried that out on the Janomes, and it messed up three times, so maybe it's something I'm better off without!

Still counting the days until I receive mine.....December something......I need to call the store I ordered it from to see what the status is.

Did you notice how wide the feet are, and how many feed dogs there are? Nothing could slip or slide !!

If you want all the details on this machine, you can check them here:

Good, I am looking forward to trying FMQ Friday.

:-)

Marsha

I'm only catching part of this conversation so I may be totally off but - depending on your machine - you maybe able to upgrade the foot control. I have a machine that didn't come with the foot control that did that, but could use one just fine. So, I purchased on that did so I now have that option and love it. Of course you may not have that possibility, but thought I'd throw that out there for you as an option if you wanted it.

My machine has the knee lift, which I like but it also causes a problem for me,

I learned to sew on machines, in cabinets, that had knee power actuators, soooo, guess what I keep doing by mistake!

The knee lift is quite handy. I love the needle up/down option. I do wish that I had a half speed option. My machine has a bunch of stitches (20/30)and I use 2 or 3 of them all of the time!

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA