Quilt Qua

Testing a sewing machine before you buy will help to ensure that you actually like the machine when you get it home.

When you go in, take the fabrics that you like to work with. Then sit down at the machine and run a straight stitch.

For quilters, straight stitching is probably the most important thing. You want to look for the most precision straight stitch, the most even straight stitch.

Since most quilters like to do free-motion quilting or stippling, you want to know if you can handle that and how well the machine feels.

If you're into other types of sewing, you might want to test button holes, over-edging, or other stitches.

Test how the machine performs past the edge of the fabric, if you run past the fabric or if you start right on the edge. Does it glide over the fabric, or chew it up in the feed dogs?

You just want to get a general feel, and see if you like the feel of the machine and the position of the knobs.

If you're looking at a computer screen, you want to see that everything is easy enough for you and that you're not feeling overwhelmed by the machine.

A popular machine for machine quilting is the Janome 6600 because it has the largest open-arm space so it allows you to get a lot of your larger quilts in there.

There are a couple of other machines that you can use for machine quilting, but they're strictly straight-stitch machines. So you have to decide if you're looking for a machine just for quilting, or if you want a variety of stitches. Do you want, for instance, a hand-quilting stitch, a blanket stitch, or a zigzag stitch. Also decide whether you want speed, or are you looking more for the perfect straight stitch.

You want to make a decision about the type of machine to use based on the technique you're going to be doing.

Also consider whether you are going to work with a lot of the larger spools of thread. Some sewing machines have spool holders on the outside that will support these larger spools of thread, where a regular machine or a smaller version you' will need to use some kind of adapter in order to feed the thread to the machine.

If you go into a top of the line machine it will generally cover every aspect of sewing except upholstery. The top of the line machines have a wider feed system, and they are generally designed more for the embroidery and decorative aspect of the machine.

If you try to work the heavier fabrics on a regular sewing machine, you could totally ruin the feed system on the machine. It would depend strictly on if you're going to upholstery. If you're not going to upholstery, then you can get a regular sewing machine.

If you're not sure if you're going to go into upholstery then by investing in a nice mid-range machine, you will get the quilting that you want, get some home dec capabilities, and get some garment sewing. If you want to do embroidery, then you can get a standalone embroidery machine.

And, if you're going to go into more clothing then you can get a serger.

The most important thing is that you want to be happy with the purchase that you've got. There are ways to work around most sewing challenges without heading towards the top of the line machine.

-These tips were taken from an interview with Monika Gassaway, owner of La Mesa Sew and Vac, and a sewing machine expert. Each month, TheQuiltingCoach sponsors an interview with an expert in a field relating to quilting.