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machine piecing, machine quilting, quilting, quilting blog, sewing, sewing blog, sewing machine, sewjournal blog
If you could have anything you liked in a sewing machine, would it be fancy with lots of bells and whistles or pared down but sturdy? Would it be single purpose e.g. digital embroidery or would it be multi-purpose?
I’ve been thinking about this a great deal recently and here’s what I’d like in my ideal sewing machine:
- Three types of stitches – straight, zig-zag and buttonhole.
- Clip on feet
- Easy needle clamping, no hard to hold, fiddly little screwdrivers
- Reverse stitching
- Needle up/needle down
- Auto threat cutting
- Slide in/out plate – no screws!
- Easy to load bobbin
- Easy bobbin winding
- Sews multiple thicknesses of fabrics easily, without jumping – almost industrial strength.
- Easy top and bottom thread and presser foot tension adjustments
- Automatic buttonhole
- Drop down feed dogs for free-motion quilting
- LARGE THROAT for quilting – at least 15″
- Free-arm and extension table
- Hard cover or comes with it’s own “wheelable” storage bag
- Good storage for bobbins, feet and all the tools etc.
- Under $800
- A decent light that actually illuminates what you’re sewing
- A 10 year warranty
That’s not too much to ask is it? It probably is but I guess I can dream.
Sounds like the ideal machine.:)
That sounds reasonable to me, but I would need one small enough and light enough that it wouldn’t be in the way when not in use.
I would buy this machine! (for the Manufacturers taking note)
The only thing I would add is blind hem stitch if you do applique. You can have a computer made to order why not a sewing machine. Thought that for years. Chris
Sounds good but I want the auto bobbin winder in place that I have with my Singer now. I don’t even have to take the bobbin out!
i would add two more…
needle down setting, so that when you’re machine quilting or piecing, the default stop position of the needle is down…
oh, and if it claims to be a quilters machine, that it actually has a free motion foot 😉
Hi Kem, I actually have needle up/needle down function in the list. I agree with you it’s a must.
Oooh, I like this post! My dream machine would also be heavy – I’m not into light machines, I like they solid and sturdy. I also like your and Kem’s suggestion of optional needle-down. The only one that worries me is “auto threat cutting” – that sounds like an ominous function!
Auto thread cutting just means you press a button and it cuts the threads. My Janome has this function and I really like it.