tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post5849377936683543441..comments2024-03-26T19:54:33.958-04:00Comments on The Academic Quilter: Return to the gardenMarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08195401144486416881noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-13402033778070882102018-10-26T08:42:45.005-04:002018-10-26T08:42:45.005-04:00Hi there!I'd like to add my two cents worth fo...Hi there!I'd like to add my two cents worth for a new machine. If you are looking for a quilting only machine, consider buying a larger size one that does straight stitch only. Juki, Janome and others all have similar machines. I have a Brother 1500, it has a 9 inch harp,it cuts, has a threader, needle up/down, knee lift, and sews straight stitch only. It's faster than I am, works hard and is absolutely reliable. It sews a perfect 1/4 inch seam, but comes with lots of other feet. Joann has them on sale for less than 500$. I bought mine online and it shipped fine. I have another old machine that I haul out if I need to do blanket stitch or zigzag for clothing repairs, but use my brother 99% of the time.<br />Enjoy your blog, thanks for sharing your lovely work! Malindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16488136792678786554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-53491837883137158612018-10-25T22:11:51.661-04:002018-10-25T22:11:51.661-04:00Hi, Mari!!! I love the new layout with the alterna...Hi, Mari!!! I love the new layout with the alternate blocks. Can you tell me where to find the Steps to the Garden block pattern? I love the look of that block and the whole quilt. Don't ask me about a new machine, lol. I've been using an old Kenmore since 2005. I would love to get a new one too, but hopefully that'll come in time. Have a great weekend. Hugs!!! Pampamspretties57https://www.blogger.com/profile/00863124246197910009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-89315749594061936292018-10-25T09:34:36.471-04:002018-10-25T09:34:36.471-04:00Lovely what you did with the alternate blocks! I t...Lovely what you did with the alternate blocks! I think I would try using the extra blocks, but then I do prefer rectangular quilts. :) I think needle up-down functionality is a must have. It’s the one thing that I wish I had on my machine just about every time I sit down. Good luck!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10275798275018244333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-90740675992875303202018-10-25T06:26:34.314-04:002018-10-25T06:26:34.314-04:00I love all my Berninas. A real work horse of a ma...I love all my Berninas. A real work horse of a machine.Frog Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482440499482884253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-70111768438251036662018-10-24T23:15:43.107-04:002018-10-24T23:15:43.107-04:00I think being able to set the machine so that the ...I think being able to set the machine so that the needle stays down when you stop sewing is very important. I also like being notified when the bobbin is empty is a great feature.Jollygirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15129753042547103302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-34699623072756735822018-10-24T21:19:53.107-04:002018-10-24T21:19:53.107-04:00You've come up with a very neat solution to yo...You've come up with a very neat solution to your UFO setting problem. Congrats. My suggestion for a new machine, keep it simple. I tried a top of the line machine and really regretted it, it took me so long to figure it out, it was a misery to sew. Good luck with the machine hunt. Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02876375845688651131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-54981088389750872032018-10-24T11:10:34.645-04:002018-10-24T11:10:34.645-04:00I like the alternate blocks you added, Mari! They...I like the alternate blocks you added, Mari! They give some nice space between the busier blocks. I'm sorry you have to get a new machine though. I'm following on the comments other people are leaving because that could be in my future, too!LIttle Penguin Quiltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05963436433585505550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-80279805146565484082018-10-24T10:37:08.608-04:002018-10-24T10:37:08.608-04:00I like the new layout. I sew mainly on vintage st...I like the new layout. I sew mainly on vintage straight stitch machines. I do have a simple Janome that I like for machine quilting (I'm a straight stitch only gal) and for it's decorative stitches. You do have to move the needle to get a correct 1/4" seam, despite having a 1/4" foot, but, I've been told my many modern machine owners that this is common for most brands. Cheryl's Teapots2Quiltinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005480747596617459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-48849793801474618652018-10-24T09:34:50.984-04:002018-10-24T09:34:50.984-04:00I just bought a new machine a little over a year a...I just bought a new machine a little over a year ago. Here's what I like about it. It has multiple thread cutters, which I love. One by the bobbin fill, one on the side (the usual one), and my favorite, the thread cut when I'm done sewing (just the push of a button). The needle up/down is great. I love the needle threader (this one actually works). I also like that I can push a button and the foot will automatically come up just a bit when I stop, so I can pivot without having to push a button or lift the foot. Good lighting on my machine! Makes a huge difference. My machine has what's called an Accufeed foot, which I believe is similar to a dual feed. I love, love, love it. Seriously. And I really like that quilt you are working on. I've always wanted to make a quilt with a green background, and it never seems to get done! piecefulwendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256164519304112032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-37449029520396808582018-10-24T09:17:48.193-04:002018-10-24T09:17:48.193-04:00Needle down is critical for me. Dual-feed is nice....Needle down is critical for me. Dual-feed is nice. Ability to drop feed dogs for free-motion (if you are so inclined). Blanket stitch if you will use it, otherwise go for a straight stitch machine and you won't be paying for fancy stitches you don't use.Libby in TNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13709701255260085505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-7946382412062278082018-10-24T07:46:38.696-04:002018-10-24T07:46:38.696-04:00I am with some others here in wanting needle up/do...I am with some others here in wanting needle up/down functionality. Love it.Gale Bulkleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01589596098401440854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-76033353004996064052018-10-24T07:26:42.095-04:002018-10-24T07:26:42.095-04:00The alternate blocks in your quilt are perfect...t...The alternate blocks in your quilt are perfect...they continue the chains and help to highlight the other blocks. Have fun picking a new machine. The Cozy Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17865939114162214245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-10863816636415189112018-10-24T06:16:57.533-04:002018-10-24T06:16:57.533-04:00Hurray for pulling another UFO out of the closet a...Hurray for pulling another UFO out of the closet and making it work! I’d go for another row. I’m always conscious of that balance, too, but I recently finished a quilt that wasn’t, and it looked great anyway. I’m a proponent for the older machines. They just seem to last longer, make sweet stitches, and cost less. If you’re only using it to piece, you don’t need s larger throat.KaHollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02528677007819875856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-51746853993102226082018-10-24T06:03:00.159-04:002018-10-24T06:03:00.159-04:00Good on you for working towards another finish. De...Good on you for working towards another finish. Decisions, decisions with buying a new machine. The thing I love the most on my machine is “needle up needle down”. Yes, a big throat size is really helpful too. There are so many features which are pretty standard, but I don’t use many of the fancy stitches. Have fun looking at what’s around. Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02288331185772160975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-37073176039044992412018-10-24T05:57:55.790-04:002018-10-24T05:57:55.790-04:00A good size throat, needle down, straight stitch, ...A good size throat, needle down, straight stitch, blanket stitch, a knee lift if possible, dual motor for bobbin winding, a free motion foot, 1/4" foot and that's what does me.<br />Add the next row and get rid of those blocks...Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07816490142334340354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331056529990165279.post-17007436564795760862018-10-24T01:29:28.103-04:002018-10-24T01:29:28.103-04:00You probably know all this, but the most important...You probably know all this, but the most important thing is to get a computerized one. When I tried one in the store it had all these quick things, like never having to turn the wheel. Just pressing buttons. My daughter gave me her computerized Brother and it’s like a brand new world. So get as many bells and whistles without the embroidery, and with a good throat. Good luck with that.PaulaB quiltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03850498636712774853noreply@blogger.com