hand sew or buy a cheap sewing machine?

[bouncinbean]

I have finally assembled the squares I need to make a childs patchwork quilt. I was originally going to borrow a machine but that's no longer possible hence my question.
I have never owned a machine and not too sure if I will get much use from one. Have no idea what to look for in a second hand one so I think I either buy one of the cheapest ones I can find or woud it be possible (even if very slow) to hand sew the pieces and then construct the quilt and edging?

Can any sewers give their views? (Something at the back of my mind thinks a cheap machine may not be even able to do a thick quilt)

Are the squares currently on card pieces?

I have a fairly basic Janome (it was a gift but I think it was about £100) and it is perfectly adequate for a simple large quilt. I love my machine and use it loads for all sorts of things. I wouldn't fancy hand sewing a whole quilt but if you don't plan to make anything else it's not worth buying a machine. If you aren't in a rush it would be worth watching freecycle or scouring charity shops and boot sales for a cheap second hand machine. Most full sized machines should be fine for simple quilting.

I have a fairly basic Janome (it was a gift but I think it was about £100) and it is perfectly adequate for a simple large quilt. I love my machine and use it loads for all sorts of things. I wouldn't fancy hand sewing a whole quilt but if you don't plan to make anything else it's not worth buying a machine. If you aren't in a rush it would be worth watching freecycle or scouring charity shops and boot sales for a cheap second hand machine. Most full sized machines should be fine for simple quilting.

I got my machine off eBay for about £40. To hand see will take longer and you will need to be careful to get even stitches but lots of people do

thanks - I have started looking at machines and will see what I can find. Although I have the time I suspect I may get too bored just hand sewing - as I've just worked out the maths on how long it might take

(the squares are not on card - haven't seen that way of doing it - just the material all ready to piece together)

Definitely get a machine - hand sewing even a child's quilt would drive me nuts!

There are several little machines out there for under £100 - which would be ideal if you just want to do a bit of sewing now and again. I use my machine loads more than I thought I would now that I've got it (iyswim).

Machine stitches tend to be 'stronger' than hand stitching so if it is intended to get alot of use and washed then I would go for machine.

I have the cheapy 45quid ish ikea sewing machine, its no frills but does all the basic stitches you would need.

I was going to say if you fancy hand sewing then do it - I like hand sewing smaller projects - but you are doing a whole quilt, albeit a child's one so I would try and get a machine if you can. The finish will be much better although if you like it more homespun look then give hand sewing a go. My first quilt was largely hand sewn but even then I used my grandmother's old machine which has not power (had to turn the handle) to sew on the borders neatly.

You can get basic running stitch/zig zag stitch machines for very little and you don't need anything fancier than that really. I don't think you need to worry too much about thickness even though I think most machines would manage - so long as you can piece the top, you could always quilt by hand which would look nice imo. You never know, once it is done you might find you are hooked on patchwork and end up doing more so a machine is a good investment.