What makes a quilting machine?

Posted by Artie on March 7, 2006, 2:43 pm

My wife is looking for a machine and we had some questions.

What feature or features make a machine a "quilting machine"? Is it the
feed dog drop? Or is there more?

Can you quilt on any machine that doesn't have quilting features without
too much difficulty?

We were looking for a used Bernina 830, 930, 1008 or maybe a Pfaff 2025
electronic.

I'm sew confused!!! I had no idea that choosing a sewing machines was so
complex.

Thanks all.

Posted by IMS on March 7, 2006, 8:21 pm

The manufactures would love for you to think it is complicated :)

I've quilted a number of quilts on my straight-stitch only 1936 Singer
=46eatherweight, made in the days before they had 'quilting machines.' So
did my grandmother; she used an old Singer treadle for all her quilting
and sewing.

So, the answer is yes. The ones you list will work fine. The same goes
for the vintage, all metal Singers (like the Featherweight and others),
Kenmores, Necchi, Elna, Viking, and other machines provided they've been
maintained over the years. Many models of these vintage machines have
feed dogs that drop.

I've got over 60 machines in my collection, mostly vintage Singers; I
do most of my piecing and sewing on 50+ year old machines, and do the
free motion and machine quilting on a Husqvarna purchased used.=20

You don't have to spend a lot of money, either. Any of the above
vintage machines, reconditioned, are worth their weight in gold. Or
consider a top of the line used machine that someone has traded in. My
Husqvarna cost over $5,000 when new; 5 years later I paid $1,000 and
it's in great shape, was totally gone over by a licensed repair shop, it
even came with classes and a warranty. =20

-Irene

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You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
--Mae West=20
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