submitted by The Sewing & Vacuum Center
March is National Quilting Month, so a good way to celebrate is to give yourself a new machine with updated features especially for piecing and quilting!
Most people refer to the whole aspect of making a quilt as “quilting,” but when looking for a machine, you may want to decide if you will mainly piece the quilt tops with the machine or if you will also quilt the layers together using the machine. One or both of the uses will influence your decision on a machine purchase.
For piecing a quilt top, a machine with a good straight stitch is most important. The seam for quilt piecing is one-fourth inch and most standard machine feet are a bit larger. The quarter-inch foot will assure that you have the correct seam allowance. Some machines may include this foot with the machine, while for other machines this will be an optional purchase. Other features that can be helpful with piecing are the needle up/needle down option, automatic thread cutting, and needle threader.
If you also want to quilt your finished top on the machine, then you need to consider several other features and machines. Most home machines will easily
accommodate baby, throw, and lap size quilts. You can quilt larger sizes, but this does require some careful manipulation with the home machine.
First, do you plan to do only straight-line quilting or will you also free-motion quilt? Straight-line quilting is quilting done with the feed dogs up and using an even-feed or walking foot. Look for a machine that includes the foot with the machine, if you can. These feet can be expensive, depending on the m
achine brand.
Free motion quilting is done with the feed dogs dropped so the machine must have this feature. Some machines will have a cover for the feed dogs rather than the drop feature, but this does not allow enough space for the quilt sandwich to move under the foot. You will also need a free-motion quilting foot. Again, is this included with the machine or an additional purchase?
Another feature to consider is an extension table. Does the machine come with one? If not, can you get one to fit? The extension table is a must with machine quilting – either straight-line or free-motion. The table gives more support to your quilt project, which is important for stitch consistency when quilting.
Last, consider the space between the needle and the side of the machine. Many companies are expanding this space in their machines for quilting (and machine embroidery). The space is very important and will let you accommodate larger quilts. Also, what type of lighting does the machine have? Good lighting is must, whether the machine has it or you add supplemental light.
Another option for the machine quilter is the short or long arm quilting machine and frame. These machines can only quilt. The machine sits on a frame and is moved across the quilt either by the quilter (manually) OR by hooking to a computer for automatic operation. You do not have to operate a business to have a quilting machine and frame!
Several companies offer a small quilting frame and machine designed to fit a five-foot-wide space. This provides greater quilting capabilities than the large frames. The frame and machine that we carry, the Brother Dream Quilter and frame, will fit small spaces. The quilt does “load” a bit differently than the larger frames. The quilt sandwich is clamped to the frame and can be repositioned. The small frames can accommodate all sizes of quilts. The machine can be used manually or you can purchase the software and robotics needed to operate the machine by computer. This allows you to program in quilt patterns, and the machine will automatically stitch them out.
Another frame option is the full-size quilting frame. These usually come in 10- to 12-foot sizes. You need a room dedicated to this frame as it takes up a lot of space. The quilt is attached to this type of frame with roller bars. The quilt top and backing will be placed on the rollers and the batting will “float” in between as you quilt. These machines come in a variety of throat depths from 14” to 28”. As with the small frame, you can operate the machine manually or you can also get the robotics for computer operation.
At the Sewing & Vacuum Center, we have both frame sizes: the small five-foot frame to fit small spaces as well as the 10- to 12-foot frame for larger areas. Remember that we do service what we sell as well as giving you lessons on the machine operation. Come by and see what we have to offer to quilters!
