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Are you looking to upgrade your sewing machine? Or maybe purchase one as a gift but not sure how to choose the best model?
That’s where my friends over at Crafty Hangouts come in. They’ve shared these great tips to help get you started with how to choose a sewing machine! 🙂 Take it away guys…
How to Choose a Sewing Machine for Quilting
Quilting can be a great hobby, allowing you to express yourself creatively. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to learn. You just need to get fabric, patterns, and a good sewing machine. But the latter is a relatively expensive purchase, so you want to make sure that you are making a good choice. Here are some of the elements that you will need to consider finding the right sewing machine for you.
Speed Control
You’ll want to find something that will allow you to control the speed at which the needle is moving. When quilting, you’ll need to develop a consistent speed. In most cases, you’ll be able to adjust this setting using a slide dial at the front of the machine.
Needle Down
When you are quilting, you’ll need to make sure that you get a sewing machine that lets you put the needle down. This will allow you to get neat stitch lines. It will also ensure that the fabric doesn’t shift around under the machine.
Features
Many machines will try to impress you by offering a huge range of features. But not all of these will be necessary. In quilting, there are a few things that are worth paying for. For example, you will spend a lot of time using straight, zigzag, and blanket stitches. These are some of the other stitches that you should know about.
Size
If space is at a premium, you will need to find a machine that will fit in your room. It can help to measure the table, to make sure that it will fit. You should be able to find its dimensions in the product specifications.
It’s also worth thinking about how much it will weigh. While it isn’t a dealbreaker, you don’t want to be lugging a heavy sewing machine around the place.
Presser Feet
It’s important to consider how many presser feet will come with the machine. You’ll need to get one that you feel comfortable using. This will allow you to get a steady speed, which is essential when quilting. This video shows you how to change the presser feet.
Visibility and Throat Size
When you are quilting, you need to be able to see what you are doing. You should be able to get a good view of the needle. This will allow you to guide it along the quilt with precision. You’ll also need to consider the throat size. This is the amount of space that you have between the upright arm, the horizontal arm, and the bed. The bigger the throat, the easier it will be to maneuver fabric through the machine. This is especially important when you are quilting.
Cost
This is often an area of compromise. You want to get a high-quality machine. But you don’t want to spend a small fortune to do it. Though it can be tempting to get a cheap device, this can end up causing some problems in the long run. These machines are built to a price and will end up breaking down under the heavy quilting workload. You will often need to be prepared to spend around $300 to get a decent sewing machine.
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Warranty
If you are going to be spending a lot of money on a new sewing machine, you want to make sure that you get something that is built to last. Because of this, you want to get something that comes with a good warranty period. This ensures that you’ll be able to get any mechanical problems solved.
Look at the Reviews
Finally, it can be a good idea to look at some reviews, especially if you are new to the world of quilting. It will give you a more nuanced view of the pros and cons of the product. This can help you choose between two similar options. These sewing and quilting machines reviews are a good place to start.
Conclusion
Anyone can find a good sewing machine for quilting. As long as you have a basic idea of what you are looking for, you can quickly narrow down the options. Hopefully, these tips will make it easier for you to get the right sewing machine and start exploring the world of quilting.
Thanks so much to Crafty Hangouts for this great article on how to choose a sewing machine. I hope you found it useful!
Want more quilting tips and inspiration? Click HERE to check out more of my Project Posts!
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