Are Your Quilting Supplies
Making Your Life Easier
Or Harder?

Your Sewing Machine
Is Your New Best Friend
Choose Wisely

Okay, okay, I get it. You’re ready to start buying some of those fabulous quilting supplies you've been drooling over. Careful now. Take a deep breath and start slowly. Your most important purchase is definitely your sewing machine. That machine is going to work very hard for you. It's going to be helping to turn out your beautiful quilts, for years to come.

There are tons of styles, types and costs associated with sewing machines on the market. Where do you start? Most quilters have strong opinions about their machines. Find one that feels just right for your fingers.

A few folks will tell you that any old machine will do, but most of us can’t live without all the extra attachments.

Personally, I love all the bells and whistles. The idea of threading my needle makes me cringe in fright (I am not admitting I can’t see the little, teeny, tiny hole in the needle). Give me all the fancy attachments for my machine. I’ll scrimp on the other quilting supplies if I have to.

When I was much younger, I hated sewing. I took a summer sewing class that traumatized me and I refused to ever sew again. When I got married, I let my hubby know that if he needed a button reattached, or his slacks hemmed, he needed to find an alteration shop. I knew I was never going to get anywhere near a sewing machine. I didn’t even own one.

I've learned to never say never. Six years ago I saw this amazing quilt using all my favorite fall colors and it took my breath away. I asked the woman in the fabric department how difficult it was to make and she said it was really easy. I absolutely fell in love with fabric - and quilting - at that moment.

I came home and told my hubby that I wanted a sewing machine because I wanted to quilt. As you can imagine, he fainted dead away. I explained that I wanted a creative outlet and that I thought quilting might be it.

I started shopping for a machine and various other quilting supplies. Six months later I had a new sewing machine. I took the introductory class on how to use my new machine and learned hints on how to troubleshoot if minor things went wrong. If you are buying a brand new machine and they are offering this class, take it. You will get a lot of useful information and might learn some really cool things in the process.

To this day, I still own & use my Janome 4800. It has never needed repairs. A tune up now and then and it runs like a champ. It gets a lot of hard use. I keep hinting to my hubby about the Janome 6500, but I think something has happened to his hearing…

A Good Sewing Machine
Makes All The Difference
How To Look For One You’ll Love

Every sewing machine is different. As you shop for your own sewing machine, there are a few attachments you’ll need so you’ll want to keep them in mind.

A necessity for your sewing machine is the ¼” Inch Foot. Quilting seams are usually ¼” Inch. This presser foot makes it easy to sew accurate seam allowances. Having a guide bar to rest your fabric against takes all the guess work out of sewing straight lines.

A Walking Foot helps walk your fabric through the machine, which is great for heavy or even thin projects. The foot moves with your feed dogs to push the fabric through. It is also great for stitching batting together using a zigzag stitch, it helps your pieces lay flat.

A Quilting/Hopper/Darning Foot allows you to machine quilt. This is great for quilting your own projects. Once you drop the feed dogs in the back of the machine you are not limited to moving in a straight line, and can move in any direction as your foot hops over your fabric.

A clear Appliqué Foot will allow you to zigzag, button hole, or use other stitches. Best of all, you can see through the foot to check your work as you sew.

Many brands (such as Janome or a Pfaff) offer toolbox kits designed for quilters that have different presser feet. Check with your local store for all the available pressure feet for your machine. They may offer a quilters toolbox also.

Since your sewing machine is one your most important quilting supplies, have fun as you prepare to buy yours. It will be your new best friend! The selection will astound you. Keep a price range in mind as you shop. Ask what machines will fit in that range. Test them and learn what options your machine has. Don’t forget to ask if the one you like will be on sale anytime soon. Everyone likes a bargain.

Find the one sewing machine that fits your style and it will lead you to many happy hours of quilting successes.

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