Here she is, FINISHED. 46x59" 💓 I really like how this turned out and am so enthused to finish more of my tops, and even make new ones.
As for the quilting machine, I'll make this short. Unless I can sell these quilts, I can't justify another machine.
Here's a question from Nancy:
I have been considering putting something like this on my Wishlist, so am grateful for your reviews and those of your readers. What are the most important features too look for, how do the brands differ, and is this a reasonable purchase for someone who has ruled out a long arm? My older Bernina works fine for piecing, but the short throat makes free motion quilting anything bigger than a small baby quilt a challenge. Thanks for the advice!
What I felt was important in quilting machines:
Price.
The sound it makes. If it is too loud, and/or whiny, I would not buy it.
Smooth running at high speed. (My sister tells me that no one sews that fast when they are trying out the machine, so the vibration never occurs...so sew really fast!)
Needle up and down, which most of the machines have, totally necessary.
A large table to hold the gathered up quilt top.
Thread cutter button...now that I am used to this on my Janome 6500P, I just can't live without it.
Bright light over the work.
Built in bobbin winder.
Since we moved I have instituted a rule that I am not buying anything that I can't move myself. To that end, the machine table that I have is not making me happy so that came into the discussion. The resolution is to add wheels to my table, which in turn will raise it enough to be even with the work surfaces adjacent. Here's the ridiculous set up I have now. Definitely make do.
So, after using the two wonderful LARGER quilting machines, and then trying out the same designs on my Janome, I am happy to stay with my machine and the set up I have. And of course, I can do quilt as you go for larger works...see the ones I've already made here.
Update: The solution for my sewing table. Brakes on two wheels and free rolling on the others. Lowe's had just what I needed. I raised my big white table with doubled spongey pads, and we have smooth sailing ahead.
Bright and beautiful colours ♥
ReplyDeleteThere is an HQ sit down group on Yahoo that covers all the sit down machines. Not very active lately but there is lots of info in the archives.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly about all the points you made when considering a machine. I recently purchased a Janome MC6500P (without trying it first!!!...BIG mistake) because I trusted all the reviews I read that this was the "perfect" machine and everyone loved it! Ha!! After using mine for about a month, I can honestly say...I hate it and I'm returning it. First of all, mine has the 7-point feed dog instead of the 5. This isn't an improvement. But the most irritating thing about this machine is the clunky noise it makes. The Tech told me, "It's just the nature of the beast". All the reviews bragged about how quiet their 6500's are but this machine is definitely NOT quiet.
ReplyDeleteSo, my advice to this lady would be...test drive before buying!
Colleen, My machine was also loud AND made a terrible clunking noise when up to speed. I took it to the store my sister works at and the tech fixed it PERFECTLY. I am thrilled with the silky silent working. Also you can get a throat plate cover that has a single hole opening which makes piecing much easier than the wider opening made for the decorative stitches. don't give up yet!
DeleteThanks, Mel :) I've had a terrible time with this machine! The straight stitch single hole plate they sent me with the machine is for the 5-point feed dog so, naturally, it wouldn't fit. When I contacted them, they had to call Janome because they had never run across a 6500 with the 7-point feed dog. I had to send them pictures of my machine (they thought I was sent the 6600 instead, which it wasn't)and pictures of the feed dogs. Guess they didn't believe me that they were 7-point. Anyway, they had to order the correct plate, which is for the 6600 machine. I haven't received it yet but it's a moot point now because I'm returning the machine. They keep telling me that my machine sounds "normal". A couple days ago, I took the 6500 and put it in the closet and set up my Brother PQ1500S. What a difference in machines! I could actually hear Netflix :)
DeleteI have a Handy Quilter sit-down Sweet Sixteen in the middle of my former formal living-dining room, now office, library,..... Its foot print is about 1 yard square, but it has two extension leaves, which when put in place give me lots of space to move my quilt. I got it because the pain in my hands didn't allow me to "wrestle" a quilt under a domestic machine. It was really worth the investment for me. Annick H.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was looking I found it frustrating that so many of the sites were dealer driven. Here is my 2c worth re the Handi Quilter, which I bought and love. Not a dealer, just a regular user. http://liveanddyecolor.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-i-chose-handiquilter-sweet-sixteen.html
ReplyDeleteYou should try suspending your quilt. You'll find that you won't need any of those tables surrounding your machine and the quilt is super easy to move around because it has no weight. I got a George sit-down machine because I thought all that extra harp space was the main obstacle in FMQing. Although it helps a lot, quilting on my home sewing machine is very easy so long as I suspend the quilt. Now I'm asking myself whether buying the George was a good use of money.
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