What is the best sewing machine to do quilting applique?

Question

I am looking for a simple sewing machine that has an applique and embroidery feature. Nothing too fancy. thanks

Answer 1

I have a Brother 8500 and I love it!! It does a great job at doing machine applique and it's great for embroidery too! And these days, that machine runs a fraction of the cost that it did when I bought mine back in 1999! You can usually pick up a used one for around $1,000. I know that sounds high, but originally it cost $4400! And most of the newer machines that do both sewing and embroidery will run between $4,000 and $6,000! The fact that I have been able to get FREE embroidery designs for it online for all these years helps a lot!
Now if this is way too high for your pockets, you may consider getting a Elna I think it's called, or maybe it's Quilters Dream? Look in a quilt magazine and see what machine it is that Ellenor Burns is pictured with. Hers is for doing applique and all great quilting stitches. And then you could consider buying separately a Brother 150? I think that's the number, but it's a BASIC embroidery ONLY machine and it runs around $200. I don't know what the Ellenor Burns machine costs, probably close to $500 or more since she's endorsing it. Hope that helps!

Answer 2

With so many machines on the market it is difficult to choose. I like a website www.dekatzenembroidery.co.za. They have a great tips page that I have used to help me with my embroidery questions. Also, I agree with another answer you received. All sewing machines do applique, depending on the stitch that you want to use. Make sure that the machine can do blanket stitch and that you can adjust the stitch length of the zig-zag so that you can get a satin stitch. To do more precise applique you will have to purchase an embroidery machine that will do the manipulating of the material (i.e. the design) for you. You will of course have to buy applique designs, or get software to create your own. Also you are limited in the size of the applique. In SA the cheapest embroidery machine is the Bernina range. The most impressive is the Husqvarna. Good luck!

Answer 3

I can answer the first part. All machines do applique, it's just a wide zigzag with a short length between stitches.

Perhaps someone else can suggest a good embroidery machine.
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Answer 4

I bought Sears Kenmore Elite 3. It has a good variety of patterns and you can also download patterns directly onto the machine from the Internet. It's a little pricey but worth it