Hi:
My wife is interested in starting to quilt. I want to surprise her with a sewing machine, but I do not know anything about quilting or what type sewing machine would be the right one. My budget is $500 and under.
Thank you for your help

Hi, and welcome! What a wonderful husband you are! She's very lucky!

I would recommend a Brother - WalMart has some good ones (at least here in Canada!), or go to a sewing machine dealer - they usually have refurbished ones for sale. She doesn't need anything fancy, just some basic things. Mind you, many brands have low-end machines.

My hubby upgraded mine a few years ago - I wanted to have the feed dogs drop (using a cover is crazy, almost no room to move when free motion quilting), needle down position (so when she stops stitching, the needle stays in the fabric , very handy for pivoting or any sewing, really), a walking foot (some machines come with one, or you will need to buy one for her - this gadget moves the top fabric evenly with the bottom one - the presser foot stretches the fabric slightly, so it ends up longer - YOU DON"T WANT THAT!), easy bobbin winding and some basic stitches. Those are what I recommend.

And see if the local quilt shop or sewing machine dealer has beginner quilting classes, and enroll her in one. YOu can learn a lot from books and TV shows, but a class is THE best way to learn. And it's fun!

Here are some opinions I found:
http://quilt.com/FAQS/SewMachinePurchaseFAQ.html

Gerda

Bart joined us last year - he must be very busy with work and quilting, because we have seen nothing of him in a long time, but here is the thread he started - he also was looking for a machine for his wife.
http://blockcentral.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/357609484/m/9101057762
It might help you, too.

Gerda

Here are a few more threads
http://blockcentral.net/eve/forums/a/frm/f/357609484/p/6

Do you have a Hancock Fabrics Store near you? I was in my store yesterday and they have some really good prices on Janome machines right now. There are serveral different models to choose from.
The one thing that I recommend is to make sure you get the 1/4" foot that fits the machine. Some of the "universal" 1/4" feet won't give you a true 1/4" seam. (I have been fighting a "universal" on my sister's machine...she's also new quilter).
Check at your local Sears store. Some of the Kenmore machines are made by Janome. My everyday machine is a Kenmore, but made by Janome. Elna also makes a good machine.
The Brother machines at Walmart here are very basic, and cheap. I don't know if I would drag one home because it won't be long and it won't do all that she is going to want it to.
Now, with that said, every dealer makes good machines and BAD machines. Not much help, huh???
Jami

Well, I'm gonna come to this from a different angle. I know you want to surprise her, but I think she should be in on the decision. Who's gonna use it? You or her? $500.00 is a good price and you will find a great machine...but I really think she should be in on the final decision. You could let her narrow down the search and you make the final decision.

Would want her to buy you power tools without your vote?

Just a thought. (I always seem to have the opposing view. That's why no one knows how I vote!)

I agree with most of the things said. My husband surprised me with a Kenmore many years ago and I outgrew that really fast. I would choose a Janome over a Kenmore or a Brother since if she upgrades to a Janome, she would not need new "feet" or attachments for the machine. A surprise is still fun, especially that she would not know what to look for in a machine if she is just starting to quilt. That 1/4" foot is important, as well as a machine with a needle down position and feed dogs that drop. I think these 3 are the most essential in a basic quilting machine. You will have plenty to choose from at the $500 price point. You might even go for an anniversary version of a Viking (I lost touch what is their entry level machine nowadays but you could check on the Husqvarna Viking USA website and then check your local dealer or at Joann's if you have one close by).

Tata

I agree with Tata in that I'd make sure to have a 1/4" foot, needle down at the push of a button, and feed dogs that drop. I bought a Janome last Spring (my first machine after my 25 year old Kenmore died)that had these features for $399.

I'd also recommend finding a smaller, reputable dealer (as opposed to a super store like Walmart). When I bought mine, the store owner took the time to ask what I wanted to use the machine for, and also listened well to my answers. I didn't know about 1/4" feet and feed dogs, but he knew I was going to take a quilting class so steered me to a machine that would meet those needs. He also had me "test drive" a few different machines so that I could pick the one I felt most comfortable with.

Good luck in your quest. You've got a lucky wife.

Lizzie

Thank you for all of your help.

ElRojo
Welcome and it is nice to hear you are checking around to know what machine to purchase. I hope you also share this site with your wife after you give her a machine so that we can share quilting tips and she can share pictures of her work with us. This is a good place to hang around for ideas and just to talk quilty things.