Ongoing Quilt Projects, Continued from the "No Appreciation...." Thread

[speckledhen]

can you get a cabinet where you live? My (ordinary) sewing machine is in a cabinet with a gas lift. The machine comes up flush with the cabinet. They make all sorts and sizes these days, you can get ones for heavier machines and so they come up where the extension table would be. If anyone deserves a fancy cabinet, it's you.

They're crazy expensive to buy a cabinet, like several hundred bucks up to a couple thousand, more than my machine costs. I want to buy a table at a thrift store and cut a hole to make one. Lots of folks have done it. Would cost 1/10 of what a commercial cabinet would and have more flat space around the machine.

 

[User395221]

They're crazy expensive to buy a cabinet,

Yes, they're relatively expensive, that's for sure.

 

[speckledhen]

If I sunk a further 10 grand into my longarm (yes, that is what the computer to stitch for you costs) I would be absolutely justified in charging for that and the time and money to learn the programs. That computer is not standard on any machine that I know of, it's a very pricy optional add on.

I understand that. And for someone who wants something more precise on their quilt, no "organic" quirks, that would be great. I believe her thoughts were that this longarm guy didn't put actual work into the quilt other than loading it, the machine did it all (and I realize she was hiring out the machine and his expertise at operating it, etc). I get what she was saying, but I also understand how much those cost. I think kathyinmo had one of those computerized ones, if I'm not mistaken, but I could be wrong. I remember her telling me the brand she had and looking it up and seeing it was an $8000 machine. I traded out some rare hatching eggs for her machine quilting one of my bed quilts years ago. I got the better end of the deal, for sure! We bartered stuff more than once. I love barter.

I've watched Angela Walters quilt on the longarms and that takes a lot of skill. She amazes me-that Tula Pink Epic quilt she did was something else! I think I've changed the way I look at quilting designs by watching her and Leah Day. They rarely do all-over designs. They've really expanded my horizons!

I'm not sure I can get my head around quilting with rulers. I can barely follow a drawn line myself. Terrie, have you used rulers for quilting on your longarm machine?


Adding that for folks who think they'll get a handmade quilt, machine or hand quilted, for Walmart prices, they would definitely balk at paying $300-500 to have a top machine quilted. They don't want to pay that for a finished quilt in the first place.
I am just ballparking that price, realize it can vary wildly depending on the complexity of the design and the size of the quilt.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes,I saw one in my browsing, AU$20,000. That's a lot of quilts to recoup that sort of money.

You said a mouthful there, my friend!

As far as deserving a fancy cabinet, not sure I'd go that far, but thank you.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, Terrie, is this the one you wanted? Ebay has quite a few good deals on used and/or refurbished machines, though the ones from individuals will not have warranties.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-Innov-is-VQ3000-DreamWeaver-Sewing-Quilting-Machine/302675809921?hash=item4678e25681


I found this one, refurbished from Ken's Sewing in AL, a very reputable place that sells quite a few machines. Free shipping,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Janome-820...981228&hash=item238e118fbc:g:48sAAOSwuD9Zvt1e

Not a bad price at all, has 6 mo warranty from Janome, it says, plus lifetime support from Ken's. Very tempting even with a computer on it. But, some Janomes you cannot drop feed dogs. I have to figure that out on this one.

 

[DuckLady]

Wow, I will be watching that one. Thank you!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Morning Ya'll!

I have a problem with my very old brother machine.

I was sewing strips together and my upper tensioner won't adjust. Its to tight even at 0.
This bums me out.

Its a super basic machine so........ I will take it apart and try to fix it.

Looking at machines to buy makes my head hurt! So many don't have a dog drop and the ones that do are to spendy for me right now.

Heavy sigh.

If I cannot fix it I will end up buying another machine. The repair shops want $40 just to look at it..... I may still fix my old one as a back up.

 

[speckledhen]

Morning Ya'll!

I have a problem with my very old brother machine.

I was sewing strips together and my upper tensioner won't adjust. Its to tight even at 0.
This bums me out.

Its a super basic machine so........ I will take it apart and try to fix it.

Looking at machines to buy makes my head hurt! So many don't have a dog drop and the ones that do are to spendy for me right now.

Heavy sigh.

If I cannot fix it I will end up buying another machine. The repair shops want $40 just to look at it..... I may still fix my old one as a back up.

I saw my own machine on ebay for about $450 used. New versions are around $650-700

The feed dogs have four positions on mine. Honestly, I think it's the best quilting machine for the money anywhere. I even saw an old Brother 1300, the predecessor to mine for $300 on there.
Here is one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-PQ...161339&hash=item362e46e3f4:g:B-EAAOSwHgdasWBL

and another one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-No...119819?hash=item2aa3a4e78b:g:lYsAAOSw~qxarp8z

Used with warranty:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-Se...161339&hash=item233f157994:g:poQAAMXQQSFRjBM~

It's always on the best buy lists and I agree. Same at the Juki 2010Q, same as the Janome 1600 (though you can't drop the dogs on that), same as the Babylock Jane, but more cost effective.

 

[speckledhen]

Found it, but it's local pick up only in Minnesota, sorry.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sewing-Qui...152167?hash=item2a901883e7:g:KasAAOSwm9tZ1Ef-

 

[21hens-incharge]

I saw my own machine on ebay for about $450 used. New versions are around $650-700

The feed dogs have four positions on mine. Honestly, I think it's the best quilting machine for the money anywhere. I even saw an old Brother 1300, the predecessor to mine for $300 on there.
Here is one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-PQ...161339&hash=item362e46e3f4:g:B-EAAOSwHgdasWBL

and another one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-No...119819?hash=item2aa3a4e78b:g:lYsAAOSw~qxarp8z

Used with warranty:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brother-Se...161339&hash=item233f157994:g:poQAAMXQQSFRjBM~

It's always on the best buy lists and I agree. Same at the Juki 2010Q, same as the Janome 1600 (though you can't drop the dogs on that), same as the Babylock Jane, but more cost effective.

Thank you! Everything I was finding was closer to a grand!

I will be saving my spending $ and at those prices should be able to get one before winter!

Uncle Sam took a big painful bite this year AND we are getting our roof redone so my "extras" will be on hold a bit.

I can afford a simple basic unit to at least get piecing done.