Decent idiot proof sewing machine recommendations.

[Helenluvsrob]

I have a Toyota. It doesn't really do what I want. Trying to quilt a quilt sandwich and I can't get the tension right to stop the birds nests underneath for instance.

Firstly is this solvable ? Ive fiddled top and bottom tension and manage to do some with high top tension ( though the lower thread still seems loose - maybe I have to be brave and tighten that more?) changed needles retreaded etc

Secondly if I were to buy a new machine what would you recommend ?

It may not be down to your machine, so much as the foot you're using. To successfully quilt something you either need a walking foot, if doing in straight lines, eg, stitch in the ditch, or a freemotion quilting foot if you're doing swirls and squiggles.
I have a Janome DKS 30,which (where I bought it) came with a quilting kit, but not the free motion foot, which was about £50 via ebay. There are more expensive models, and less expensive ones - pays yer money, etc. I'd say to get one that comes with a quilting pack, then you know it ought to be up to the task www.sewingmachines.co.uk/products/janome-xl601/201 would be minimum entry level for quilting, up to about £1,200. The 601 is the model the local quilting teacher provides for the class.
You definitely need a walking foot, tho, as it feeds the top and bottom layers of fabric in evenly.

You are probably right. Ive taken my chinese amazon walking foot off on have got tolerable results pulling it through with a normal foot but it's by no means perfect. I suspect the foot ( which seemed fine on small test pieces) is either broken or rubbish. Maybe it's the feed dogs? But the test samples ( multiple layers of brushed cotton , I don't have a test quilt sandwich ) seem ok.

Now to find a decent but not ££££ walking foot - don't want to pay much if I'm going to get a new machine!

the cheapest Janome would be a Decor Excel 25 and that comes with a walking foot, free motion quilting foot, zip and one step buttong hole. If your up for spending a little more try Janome 4900 or a Bernina. Walking foot, as Helenluvsrob said essential or darning foot for free motion.

Or a bombproof, vintage 'Singer'. Attachments like the walking foot are easy to get - although don't look up the price of an original Singer "Penguin" walking foot because they're eye-wateringly expensive! There are cheap, modern versions though or you may be lucky and score a vintage machine with all the attachments...

Prior to the 40s, I think, old machines can only go forwards but they sew the most immaculate straight stitch out - many quilters prefer something like a portable mid 20thC Singer Featherweight (221K or 222K) to any modern machine, as the straight stitch is a better quality.

www.singer-featherweight.com/

I managed to make a heavy, broadcloth wool patchwork this summer, on two Edwardian machines (a Singer 28 and a Jones Family CS) both of which were bought, with attachments, for £15 at a car boot. I fettled them, did the project to check they were working, and have since passed them onto my sons. Old machines are often workhorses and won't balk at sewing several layers of something. Balancing top and bottom tension is straightforward and they will cope with a great range of thicknesses - so long as you use the right needle size - so you can balance the tension perfectly on a scrap of fabric to adjust the tension and once you're sewing, the tension should stay put.

If you go down the old Singer/Jones route you can get anything you could possibly need from Helen Howes.

She posts everything apart from machines.

www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/quiltfeet.html#walkingfeet