Replies

1. 
   kayl | Sep 27, 2004 05:40am | #1

   I'd start you thinking about a new machine in several ways...

   1) What about your current machine makes you want a new one?

   2) What do you think you need in functions? What do you think

   would be nice for functions?

   3) Who are the best dealers around you (good dealers are worth

   their weight in spare bobbins and new needles; dealers who don't know

   you after the sale are -- well -- um -- common.

   FWIW, I do the bulk of my quilting on my grandmother's old straight-

   stitch-only cabinet-model White. I also do topstitching on that machine, because straight stitch machines generally produce better

   straight stitching than zig-zag and fancy-stitch capable machines.

   Got a nice one of those, too... the model before the current Viking Lily. Good machine, but sometimes old is just as good for what you're

   doing.

   Kay

2. 
   trotter | Sep 29, 2004 12:42am | #2

   Jo --

   For the type of sewing you are doing, I suggest purchasing the top of the line mechanical machine, and save the computerized ones for the next phase. I use a Janome Quitlers' Companion and find it suitable for piecing, small quilting projects and dressmaking (okay, replacing zippers.) Cheers Trotter

3. 
   foxfyreutk | Sep 29, 2004 08:10pm | #3

   I agree wholeheartedly with the previous answers. I adore my 35+ year old Kenmore for garment construction and was NOT EVEN TEMPTED by new machines to feed my quilting addiction .... until Brother introduced the Nouvelle 1500. It is ONLY straight stitch and has a longer and higher arm to accomodate all that extra fabric in a quilt. BUT that is MY answer. For you, it could be entirely different.  After you answer all the pertinent questions, you may be buying a used treadle <grin> and not a new computerized model! Marlene