The Quilting Your Quilt DVD Workshop with Bev McClune shows you how to quilt a large quilt on your domestic sewing
machine. You’ll learn how to turn quilt tops into beautiful finished quilts.
In this preview you’ll discover a few helpful tips. Imagine what you’d learn in the full DVD Workshop. Brought to you
by Quilters World.
This How To DVD – Quilting Your Quilt is available online at www.quiltersworld.com.au
Duration : 0:2:41
My wife likes to quilt, she would like a sewing machine for x-mas. I have heard from some people that the best sewing machines are the old black Singer 221-222 from the 50s and 60s, refurbished. That new, digital ones are crap. My wife has had 2 new digitals and is unhappy with both. Will she be able to quilt on an old Singer? I have found a well-known sewing machine fixer-guy who happens to be really close to me. Is a refurbished, old, black Singer the way to go for a crafty, quilter wife who is still pretty much a beginner?
Don’t bother with the 221 or 222 unless you’re into status symbols — they’ve attained cult status and the price has gone absolutely nutso.
If a straight stitch only machine will do it for her, a 15 (in any of its many incarnations) is cheap and sturdy and will probably still be sewing in the next century if a little care is taken. I actually do most of my quilting on my grandmother’s old White Dressmaker, ca. 1948, but I’ve made entire quilts on Singer 15s and 99s and 301s.
If you want to go upscale and go for a new machine, I’d tell you to look at the Juki TL98q, which is a semi-industrial with automatic tie off and extra room to the right of the needle for quilting. It takes industrial sewing machine feet, which are dirt cheap in comparison to home sewing machine; the machine sews much more quickly, and the presser foot operates by knee lift. I have periodic attacks of sewing machine lust for that model, as most of my sewing machine sewing (except for buttonholes and such) is mostly straight stitch. And at this stage of my sewing career, I have the need for speed. <g>
There’s no reason why a "digital" (I think you mean electronic or computerized machine) would be inherently inferior to a mechanical machine for quilting… though the cheapest machines are definitely inferior to the midline or better electronics. In fact, I find it much easier to teach beginners on my ca. 1995 Viking electronic than on one of the old Singers or the White because the sewing hook is nearly jamproof, I have needle up/down with the touch of the pedal, and the needle position is variable to take into account that "scant 1/4" seam".
I think what your wife probably needs is a good machine, not necessarily old, new, mechanical, or electronic. It’s what most of us who sew need.
Here’s my standard beginner sewing machine rant — the books at the end may be especially useful to you:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm
What I want for beginners in sewing:
- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)
If the budget stretches far enough:
- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.
Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.
Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.
Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota
New "bargain brand" I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).
I was given a quilt top,it is made of all synthetic materials.It is done but has neither batting or backing on it.How will I put these on with a sewing machine.I have an older standard Singer sewing machine.Can someone please help?
Lay out your quilt backing,making sure that It’s the same size as your quilt top,or a little larger.
I get In the floor to do this. You can tape the backing down and then add your batting,smooth it out, try not to stretch It.
Then put your quilt top on last. I use quilt basting pins to hold my quilt together. Make sure you place then every 3 inches apart and then you can roll your quilt from both sides to the middle.
I use Jaws quilt clamps,this holds your quilt and Is easier to manipulate as you’re machine quilting.Start In the middle and work your way out. Then you can grid quilt or be really brave and use a stencil and mark your quilting design and start sewing..Good luck…Here’s a link that may help you..
http://quilting.about.com/od/stepbystepquilting/How_to_Make_a_Quilt.htm
The New English Quilter converts your own sewing machine into an affordable version of a professional long arm. The frame clamps to any suitable table and perfectly tensions the layers of your quilt. You’ll never have to baste pin or tack again!
Martha Milne and Paul Hayes give a quick tour of the machine quilting frame.
http://www.machinequilter.co.uk/
Duration : 0:5:32
i’m looking for a machine that can do a little bit of everything. i have been using an old singer that’s on-again-off-again working order. i have mostly sewn curtians in the past but am interested in expanding into quilting, maybe embrodery, and possibly (gasp!) sew clothes.
so from all you experienced seamstresses out there, what would be the best machine for the best price?
I like my Brother. It was only $99 and does all the basics which is so much more than old machines. It’s easy to thread too. I’ve made quilts on it.
Make sure it is warrantied for the first year. I’ve had this one for about 10 years and the only thing needed has been adjusting the tension on the bobbin thread. That was explained in the owners manual.
Hi, I have a budget of $200 to buy a sewing machine for my BD gift. ( I want to learn how to quilt ) I’m not sure which one should I get. Kinda towards singer 7462, 7436, 7444. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Singers are very good machines. Go to a speciality store that deals with machines. They will let you try them out before buying. Then you can shop around for the best price and deal. I love to quilt but do it all by machine….I don’t have the patience or time to do it by hand (but admire those who do). Good luck…..I am also looking for a new machine.
no dialog, Entirely visual depiction of how to unpack a portable Singer 301 sewing machine, set the needle, wind the bobbin, thread upper and lower sections and commence a stitch.
Duration : 0:7:16
I have an old Singer right now. A little tempermental with the tension, but too slow and it doesn’t sew knits. I do mostly doll and baby/children’s clothes, but I’m limited in that I don’t have a stretch stitch. That’s what the serger would be for. Unless there’s a reliable "normal" machine that also does knits. I also quilt, so I need a machine that will do regular sewing. A store will try to sell me what is good for them to sell me, and celebrity endorsements are related to what they’re paid to sell also, so I thought I’d try people who actually use the machines. Can anyone help?
Uhh. I have a new Signer and I sew purses. It works fine. It was about $150. It works! However, don’t try to lower the feed dogs because they won’t come back up! I have exchaged the sewing machine 3 times for the same problem!
Take your sewing projects to the next level with our Computerized Brother Sewing Machine with 77 Stitch Functions. Choose from: Decorative stitches – twin needle zigzag and straight, appliqué, cording, blanket, shell tuck, feather, oting, ladder, triple zigzag, tracery, mock hand quilting, turkey feet, scroll, vine, elongated checkerboard, elongated triangle and cross stitch. Heirloom stitches – feather, oting, Point de Paris, lazy daisy, entre deux, straight and zigzag stitch Quilting stitches – free motion, blind hem, stretch blind hem, patchwork join, patchwork double overlock, couching, feather, oting, entre deux and mock hand quilting stitch Garment stitches – straight, triple…
Duration : 0:18:27
I want to get a new sewing machine but I’m not sure what brand I should get. I’m familiar with Bernina, Husqvarna Viking and the older model Singers. But I have never owned a machine before and need your opinions. I will be using it to make clothing and I would also like to start quilting. Please tell me about your machines and what you like and dislike about them. Thank You!
I have used Singer and Brother and thought they were both fantastic, UNTIL I purchased a Janome 6500. It was unreal the difference in the sewing! The thing about the 6500 is that it is a mid-arm, meaning you have more sewing space. It also came with a nice raised table for more sewing space. I do a lot of quilting, and believe me, the extra neck space is blessing. Go to a dealer that will show you how a machine works, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Also, some dealers will throw in great freebies if you ask, like a walking foot, for example. Make sure it is a dealer you can trust and that they have an "in house" repair shop. Sooner or later, you will need your machine worked on, and Wal-mart doesn’t do repairs! Oh yeah, a great dealer will also give you a good trade in if you should ever decide you want to upgrade your machine later.