types of machines? What brand do some of you have or recommend? I appreciate any advice.

check out the reviews at top of page

Viking has a few models from which to select. The feature to look for it the longer base with more room. I have a special foot that rolls the fabric layers through more evenly. The stitch regulator would be a great feature. I don't believe Viking has that. You have to buy a separate attachment.

Thanks for all your help and support. I have some homework to do before I buy. So thanks again I appreciate all the advice

I have the Bernina Aurora 440 QE (quilters edition) so I can embroider AND quilt. It has the Bernina stitch regulator, which takes only a couple of hours to master and quilts beautifully. Nothing I can't do with it. It has a respectable opening in under the arm, but if you are looking for JUST a quilting machine, go to a dealer like everyone has suggested and my local quilt store rents time on their quilting machine, so you can test drive different machines.

First of all...Meganne is right. The IDT on the Pfaff machines is wonderful. But for quilting I have a Viking Mega Quilter on a frame. It is basically the same machine as the Pfaff Grand Quilter and the Janome 1600. These machines are larger and heavier than a regular domestic sewing machine. They only do straight stitches. But they are very heavy duty machines. The opening between the needle and the body of the machine is wider and higher than a regular machine so it is easier to manipulate bulky items like quilts. I LOVE my quilting machine. My suggestion would be to do as Meganne said and check out several brands. Remember a good dealer is a must. You don't want to purchase a new machine and end up with no support from your dealer to learn how to use it.

I'm sorry I don't know much about 'quilting' machines but I do like the look of the patented, built in, 'Integrated Dual Feed' system on the Pfaff machines, it looks so smooth and efficient compared to just using a 'walking foot'.

When I was looking at machines I had trouble deciding between the Husqvarna Diamond, the Pfaff Creative Vision and the Pfaff Grand Quilter (which can attach to their great quilting frames). The Creative Vision is also a great embroidery machine.

I guess it all depends on whether or not you want a 'dedicated' quilting machine??? Of course none of these are cheap and you might be better off looking for an industrial home quilter for similar pricing to these.

Go to the first Pfaff link below, have a really good look through the site and print out all the PDF brochures on all the machines, so you can read and study them all later.

Then try and go to a quilting and craft show and get a HANDS ON demonstration, if you can.

Most importantly don't rush into it. Make yourself a list of questions to ask dealers, leave room on it to write down their answers. Take several photocopies, one for each machine you review, take them all with you
when you go looking, take your time to write down the answers and make sure you write the name of the machine on each one you do.
That way, when you get home (and your mind is overloaded with information) you can sit down and compare each question list. If you have a digital camera, take it with you and take your own photo's of the machines.

Most important features (I think) size/height/room between needle and arm, lighting of work area and is it adjustable, ease of use (finding & setting up stitches),
ease of bobbin winding, bobbin placement & insertion, tension control, dual feeding of material & will it attach to any quilting frame or does it need a specific frame, (if so, how much is THAT frame)????

Most important is take your time to check out as many machines as you possibly can, there's nothing worse than rushing into buying a machine, only to find that there was a better one, with more features, better warranty and price, that you didn't know about.

AND, if one particular machine sticks in your mind to the point you can't stop thinking about it, dreaming about it and pining to have it, then THAT is the one you should buy, even if you have to wait and save your pennies because it is more expensive.

I hope my suggestions are helpful.
hugs n roses, Meganne



Checkout the second link and drool!!!

1 comment

by lcoste 20 Feb 2010

Thank you so much. You have certainly given me a lot to think about. I do have the Husqvsarna SE and an older (25 years) Husqvarna sewing machine. I am just getting into quilting and am hooked. Now I think I would like a machine for quilting. Thanks again for the information

Are you referring to an actual professional frame and machine or one of the smaller home use machines? They have frames to use a sewing machine head with a larger throat plate area. There are so many choices out there. I have a APQS Millenium machine...but I quilt for others so I wanted a beefier professional machine. Try out various quilt shows and test run all of your choices first. Some have very heavy and stiff movement while others offer a very fluid flow of movement.

1 comment

by lcoste 20 Feb 2010

I'M looking for a home machine. Right now I can't justify the price of the frame and machine, although that would be my dream. I was thinking of a quilting machine that would feed the layers of fabric evenly. I thought this would be better than a regular sewing machine. NO?