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Post by flanz on Jan 27, 2024 17:35:20 GMT
I'm heading home to mum's in Canada in 3 weeks. It's where our sibs and nieces and nephews all live too. I just had an idea of something I would love to do for my niece if she's interested. She's very crafty but hasn't done any sewing. She is a young adult who works with autistic kids, lives alone and is an introvert. She has some anxiety issues and enjoys crocheting as a stress reliever. She's one of my favorite people and I'd love to do this for her if she is even wanting to give it a try.
I'm going to talk to her later today and ask if she's interested in quilting. I'd love to set up a quilting room for her in her townhouse and share a bunch of my supplies with her to get her started. That would mean buying a machine, getting her mom and aunt (DH's sister who are also some of my favorite people) to help find an appropriate used table to use as a cutting table, an ironing board and iron if she doesn't have one, rotary cutter, cutting mat, etc. etc. I'd thumbtack a large piece of batting to the wall to use as a design wall (with permission, of course.)
I am decluttering my quilting room and have extra rulers and rotary cutters I would happily gift to her. Tons of thread, needles, basting pins, etc. and LOTS of fabric too. Luckily I accidentally bought a GINORMOUS suitcase recently and I could fit a ton of stuff in there.
I am so very happy with my Janome 6600 that I purchased some 15 or 20 years ago. I don't want to get something that expensive as she has no experience with any of this.
I want to get her a machine with a throat large enough to do her own quilting. Am wondering though if an entry level Janome would be a good choice and if so, which model. I'm imagining starting with small projects like table runners and placemats so maybe that's the way to go and she can upgrade to a machine with a larger throat if she gets into this hobby.
I'll be there for three full weeks and could spend a fair bit of time with her teaching her the basics. Because of her anxiety I would not suggest any blocks where matching points is a goal. There are plenty of other options.
Which machine out there would you recommend in this situation?
I'm wondering about buying a higher quality used machine vs. a cheaper new one. thoughts?
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,759
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jan 27, 2024 18:10:54 GMT
I'm in the market for a new sewing machine because the throat size of my Janome is not big enough to quilt with ease. I have quilted with it but the struggle, it's like a workout.
There are plenty of YouTube videos contrasting and comparing the different beginner machines. They might help to narrow you down to a brand or model that ticks the boxes for you.
I plan to visit a couple of sewing shops to try the different machines, reading the details is not the same as seeing the setup, size and feeling the weight.
I have seen makes and models that tick my boxes and get all excited but then find out they are not available here in the UK. I need to get something that can be serviced here.
One thing I would suggest is a machine for which you can get an extension table.
I hope your niece takes to sewing, it's a lovely hobby. Perhaps she will prefer making clothes or bags. Will she want decorative stitches or just straight sewing?
It's a real maze! And the reason I have yet to make a choice for a new machine.
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Post by craftedbys on Jan 27, 2024 18:23:46 GMT
Edit: Apparently reading isnt my strong suit this morning. It is your niece, not your granddaughter. Sorry for the mix up!
That is so very sweet of you to do!
Since she hasn't confirmed a specific interest in quilting, I would recommend getting her a step above an entry-level basic sewing machine, like a Singer or a Brother. If she falls in love with all things quilting (as many of us do) she can always upgrade to a bigger/better machine in the future. And if she doesn't want to quilt, she can always use it to see other things.
Some of the lower mid-range machines have a big enough throat to do lap and crib size quilts, which I am assuming you will start her with. I have a Brother SE425 sewing & embroidery machine that I do my piecing on and even quilt on quilts up to 60x60.
I know you just asked for machine recommendations, but I will give my 2 cents on getting started, especially if she has never sewn anything.
I really like the small craft iron that you can get at Wal-Mart. It is so much easier to press seams, and I also like my wool pressing mat that I got off Amazon. If she is worried about burning her fingers when pressing small seams the silicone finger covers do help.
I would start her out practicing straight seams with things like making cotton make-up pads and move up to pillow cases or easy throws (just the sew and turn type) to gain confidence before trying to piece blocks.
One of my favorite quilts to do without worrying about matching seams is the Jelly Roll Race (although a much smaller size) and I did a pattern called Jumping Jacks that didn't have any intersections that matched seams.
Again, you are such a sweet Grandma to outfit and teach your Grand. Please reassure her that there are no quilt police and no one is going to take a ruler to her seams or inspect to make sure there are no mistakes. Even people who have been quilting for years and years don't have perfect quilts.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,692
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jan 27, 2024 18:29:21 GMT
Is there a quilting store in the London area that sells sewing machines? There she could take classes on getting to know her machine. www.cherishedpieces.com is in Tillsonburg and is a great store for fabric and classes. Perhaps they know where to get a sewing machine. What a lovely idea to do this for your niece. Have fun. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 27, 2024 18:31:54 GMT
Definitely consider a brand that has a dealer local to her so that she can obtain assistance and servicing. If there is a good dealer, you might be able to get a great used machine which will get you more machine for the same money. Juki has a couple of machines that are specifically for piecing and quilting, without all the other bells, whistles and fancy stitches. Sounds like that might be a good match for her. The Juki TL-15 is a popular machine in my modern quilt guild. Another one is the Juki TL-2010Q. Both had an extension table included and are mechanical. |
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Post by mollycoddle on Jan 27, 2024 18:37:05 GMT
No suggestions, but I wanted to say that this is a very kind and generous thing to do.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 27, 2024 18:49:58 GMT
I agree with finding a local shop and trying to find a used machine. I would not go with a new Singer or Brother from Walmart or JoAnn’s. There are too many plastic parts and if she does like sewing, it won’t last and then she will just be frustrated
If she’s just piecing, she might like a Featherweight. They are small and lightweight, but they only straight stitch.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jan 27, 2024 19:23:35 GMT
If you or a family member buy a new one and have a credit credit card that has any protection with it. Ours doubles the warranty up to another year.
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Post by craftedbys on Jan 27, 2024 20:05:25 GMT
Something I have been thinking about after re-reading your post.
It's great you are going to have a conversation with her to guage her interest in quilting, but I would advise being very careful with how you react.
There is a big expanse between showing interest and being gifted a quilting room. I know it is very hard to temper enthusiasm when sharing your love of a hobby.
Who doesn't love quilting? I, myself, have to make myself calm down when I get to talking about any of the crafts I do because I start speaking fast and get wayyy too excited.
My DD also has anxiety (with a heaping helping of ADHD thrown in). It took me several and lots of money to learn "that's cool" or "I like it" doesn't always mean, "yes, please buy it for me". She would often agree with me so as not to hurt my feelings. But then when I would buy the whatever she wouldn't use it and would feel guilty and then I was frustrated for spending money on something she didn't use, then she would feel guilty for that.
If she shows interest and says she would like to learn, could you borrow a machine for the first week to let her get exposed and see if she would like to actually get a machine? Maybe make a small wall hanging or lap quilt together.
And then maybe work your way up to adding things to a "sewing space" before going full on quilting room? Might be less overwhelming that way.
Do any of your other family members sew or quilt that will lessen any fear of not having any help for questions or advice if she gets stuck?
This is just something to think about. Lots of communication, no judgment, it's ok if she gets started and finds she doesn't really like it.
Good luck!
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Post by flanz on Jan 27, 2024 20:30:43 GMT
Is there a quilting store in the London area that sells sewing machines? There she could take classes on getting to know her machine. www.cherishedpieces.com is in Tillsonburg and is a great store for fabric and classes. Perhaps they know where to get a sewing machine. What a lovely idea to do this for your niece. Have fun. Great idea. I'll look into it. There must be some stores in town. I want to arm myself with some info before offering this to dear niece. |
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Post by flanz on Jan 27, 2024 20:41:40 GMT
Something I have been thinking about after re-reading your post. It's great you are going to have a conversation with her to guage her interest in quilting, but I would advise being very careful with how you react. There is a big expanse between showing interest and being gifted a quilting room. I know it is very hard to temper enthusiasm when sharing your love of a hobby. Who doesn't love quilting? I, myself, have to make myself calm down when I get to talking about any of the crafts I do because I start speaking fast and get wayyy too excited. My DD also has anxiety (with a heaping helping of ADHD thrown in). It took me several and lots of money to learn "that's cool" or "I like it" doesn't always mean, "yes, please buy it for me". She would often agree with me so as not to hurt my feelings. But then when I would buy the whatever she wouldn't use it and would feel guilty and then I was frustrated for spending money on something she didn't use, then she would feel guilty for that. If she shows interest and says she would like to learn, could you borrow a machine for the first week to let her get exposed and see if she would like to actually get a machine? Maybe make a small wall hanging or lap quilt together. And then maybe work your way up to adding things to a "sewing space" before going full on quilting room? Might be less overwhelming that way. Do any of your other family members sew or quilt that will lessen any fear of not having any help for questions or advice if she gets stuck? This is just something to think about. Lots of communication, no judgment, it's ok if she gets started and finds she doesn't really like it. Good luck! THANK YOU for this brilliant advice. Now that you mention it, it took her a VERY long time to switch therapists because she didn't want to her the first one's feelings!!! Maybe I should feel out her mom first, or is that infantalizing her? I'm thinking of setting up a Zoom soon with nieces mom as well as her aunt, both DH's sisters to discuss this. Mom knows her daughter very well, aunt know her daughter well and also sews a bit. She has my MIL's original treadle Singer machine from when she first emigrated to Canada following the war in '48. (MIL came on a contract to be a seamstress in Montreal.) Both of my SIL's are retired and would be happy to help set up a sewing space if niece is interested. I love your idea of borrowing a machine to try it. Or if she has any interest, maybe she could do a bit of simple sewing with her aunt first. As I think about it more, I'm thinking I can bring the rulers, fabric etc. that i have space for in my luggage and speak with niece in person before showing her any of the stuff to try to determine her level of interest. |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,513 
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Post by bethany102399 on Jan 27, 2024 23:01:03 GMT
Just hopping in to say I love my Janome, but was SO much better at using it after I took a class. There is a shop local to me that offers a "janome" class- when I took it (pre-pandemic) there were like 4 of us in there and all of us had different versions but all Janome products, so it doesn't even have to be machine specific it can be brand specific too.
I've got a Janome QDC 3160.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,824
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Post by CeeScraps on Jan 27, 2024 23:09:55 GMT
This is very nice of you to do for her.
The most supportive machine you can get her is one that the local quilt store sells. They should have classes on not only the machine but items to sew besides quilts. Besides this local store would also service the machine. All support that she will need.
***A library may have a machine that can be checked out and used.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,015
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Post by mimima on Jan 30, 2024 1:02:57 GMT
I agree with the caution advice, but also think that is a very sweet gesture.
I have a Pfaff that I bought a couple of years ago that has a very generous throat for quilting.
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Post by flanz on Jan 31, 2024 23:49:56 GMT
Thanks again everyone. Niece seems genuinely excited about learning to quilt. Her aunt was the one to talk to her about it and I think niece would have told her if she wasn't interested. I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday and after doing some research I bought a Janome 5060 from a shop in my hometown. My SIL picked it up for me today.  It will live at niece's house most of the time, when I'm not there as well as when I'm there without any sewing projects. I'm going to meet with my 3 interested "students" this weekend via Zoom to go over a few things. I'm almost done creating a "curriculum" of sorts - a set of videos teaching the basics of quilting. There's no way I can tell them all of that all at once. So they will have homework to do before we get together for the first time - techniques for cutting, pressing, binding, etc. etc. I'm going to have them make a jumbo potholder/trivet as the first project, expecting to make errors and not liking or wanting to keep it. Then we can make a second version with fabrics that they like. I think I'm going to bring supplies for them each to create a 21x41" piece of stitch and flip QAYG fabric which we'll turn into lined totebags using this tutorial. craftbuds.com/tote-bag-tutorial/The only thing I still need to purchase and have delivered to one of them is quilt batting. |
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,692
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Feb 1, 2024 1:52:18 GMT
flanz ~ Missouri Star Quilt company has many tutorials on quilting. I would check there as most of them are free to view. I was able to purchase a small booklet on how to use a rotary cutter a few months ago. The gal that I am teaching used that book to help you gain confidence in using the rotary cutter. I forgot at how intimidating that using a rotary cutter was. Don't forget about using rulers and *squaring up fabric* so that it is straight. Have fun. I'm having a great time with my gals on Thursday afternoons.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,759
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Feb 1, 2024 8:26:09 GMT
So pleased to hear your niece is keen to learn, learning to quilt helped my friend and I get through the lockdowns. It was fun to share the journey with someone else even if we were miles apart. There is a Canadian quilter who makes YouTube videos who might be of interest. m.youtube.com/@justgetitdonequilts/videos |
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Post by Basket1lady on Feb 1, 2024 18:59:31 GMT
I love you class lesson plans!
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Post by flanz on Feb 1, 2024 23:58:39 GMT
No suggestions, but I wanted to say that this is a very kind and generous thing to do. We quilters sometimes resemble drug dealers.... wanting to entice others to our craft / vices. LOL |
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Post by flanz on Feb 2, 2024 0:01:34 GMT
So pleased to hear your niece is keen to learn, learning to quilt helped my friend and I get through the lockdowns. It was fun to share the journey with someone else even if we were miles apart. There is a Canadian quilter who makes YouTube videos who might be of interest. m.youtube.com/@justgetitdonequilts/videosHi! I found Karen Brown and her Just Get it Done Quilts videos a while ago and am adding several of her videos to my "curriculum". I find her very likable and feel that she explains things clearly. <3 |
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Post by Jamie on Feb 5, 2024 14:43:10 GMT
Definitely consider a brand that has a dealer local to her so that she can obtain assistance and servicing. If there is a good dealer, you might be able to get a great used machine which will get you more machine for the same money. Juki has a couple of machines that are specifically for piecing and quilting, without all the other bells, whistles and fancy stitches. Sounds like that might be a good match for her. The Juki TL-15 is a popular machine in my modern quilt guild. Another one is the Juki TL-2010Q. Both had an extension table included and are mechanical. This exact Juki is on my wish list - Juki TL-2010Q. I currently use a Brother SQ9285. I can quilt lap sized on it, but it isn't ideal due to small throat space. But as far as using it for sewing, I have had no complaints about it. Came with multiple feet and the extension table. |
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It will live at niece's house most of the time, when I'm not there as well as when I'm there without any sewing projects. 