Teaching Quilting

What kind of sewing is the machine going to be used for? If only quilting, then zigzag and free arm probably aren't necessary. If it will be used for garment sewing, then zigzag and free arm are very desirable.

One advantage of newer machines is the ability to limit the speed. My Elna has a slider-type control that I can set anywhere between "turtle" and "rabbit". It can force beginners (or anyone) to slow down.

Julia > This is kind of a test message, as I am setting up thunderbird for

I guess that is part of the problem, as the person you are teaching does not yet know where his or her interest will take them, to primarily quilting, primarily garment making, or "half and half" of each

As for the speed control, does this come on "beginner" machines, or do you have to have an expensive high-end machine for this feature. I know it exists, I am just not sure what machines it exists on. Since it is not known if a beginning sewist will maintain an interest, I, at least would recommend against an expensive high-end machine.

I agree about not recommending an expensive high-end machine, but at the other extreme, I wouldn't recommend a cheap machine from a big box store. You don't want someone turned off to sewing because of a machine that doesn't work properly. I would definitely recommend buying from a reliable local dealer that will service the machine and answer questions, including lessons on using the machine.

I don't know whether the speed control comes on beginner machines. I do know that both my Elna Quilter's Dream and the older, smaller Elna Stella have that feature. The Quilter's Dream is definitely not a low-end machine, but not as expensive as some other machines.

I prefer a drop-in bobbin, but that may be because that's what I have always had. I've used other machines, but found it more difficult to get the bobbin in place properly.

Janome has a good reputation around here. I wouldn't hesitate to buy Janome.

Julia > >> What kind of sewing is the machine going to be used for?

I don't even recall mentioning considering a cheap machine from Wal-Mart or a place like that in the first place. If Kenmore (Sears) still sold machines, I would recommend those, but apparently they don't, and Kenmores are really Janomes anyway.

Well, if that, and if Sears were what it used to be, with a service dept. and all that. With its demise over the last 20 years, and its merger with K-Mart (I think, and if that is correct, that move dropped the company's value considerably in my eyes), I am not so sure about even that.

In fact, if I were playing the role of "technical advisor" in the situation I described, the very first thing I would recommend is not buying the machine online or from a place like Wal-Mart.

The 2212 is certainly not the most expensive machine, but it is not a cheap machine from a big box store either. You could of course buy one onine, but there is also an authorized Janome dealer here in Tucson.

Getting it online is Probably a bit cheaper than getting it at or through (it may not be one of their regular products) the dealer, but as you say servicing and lessons might also be included. I don't even know if that machine is even available at Wal-Mart or a place like it.

The Janome dealer in Tucson is also a "quilt shop," and does offer classes, though I do not know if they offer classes for any specific machine.

I think that New Home is really Janome, so I guess my New Home machine that I mentioned is a Janome.

I think where you live might well have as much to do with what you get as w hat you need.

Where I am we are down to one repair shop that is also an authorized Bernin a dealer. There just is no place you can buy a new machine except for a be rnina anywhere near here.

So when I am asked about starter machines I recommend either getting a seco nd hand old fashioned purely mechanical machine and a book about how to mai ntain and repair them, or get a cheap junk machine from one of the big box stores with the plan to replace it fairly often. I do point out the Bernin a place and the fact that I am unfamiliar with Berninas. Unless the person is willing to drive over the hill and far away, these are the options. I have ended up teaching french seams to some new sewing people who got old s traight stitch machines as a result of this advice, but french seams are ve ry easy and take about 10 minutes to teach. The people who buy a big box m achine usually end up either getting a bernina very soon, or driving the di stance to shop someplace with more selection. I do point out that if you are spending more than a little (used machines o ften cost very little) you really want to test drive a machine to see if yo u are comfortable with it. I generally discourage starting out on a machin e with too much fancy boo. There is really nothing much a solid zig zag ma chine cannot do that many of the fancy dancy ones can, it just might take a little longer and a bit of fussing. Neither does a newbie need the distra ction, frustration, and temptation, of whiz bangs and weirdities.

NightMist

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I agree with what Nightmist said. If a new sewer does not know if their interest will remain, just like in an y new endeavor, you do not want to get top-of-the-line in anything. Heck, e ven a used machine off craigslist, an estate sale, or a traded-in machine a t the local shop can be used to launch the interest. Learning how to care f or the machine is a necessity. Simple features, so the learning curve is si mple. nothing more of a turn-off than to have an overwhelming amount of opt ions presented. Small steps are always best.

G> This is kind of a test message, as I am setting up thunderbird for

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Hello Brian, There are lots of quilt sewing on Missouri Star Quilting Co. and Rob Appell works for them. We get the mans take on quilting. I have always had Brother sewing machines and would recommend these to anyone. Amazon.com have several at under $200. Have 2 of these machines both electronic. Sandy$