The Debate about Quilting Machines and Hand-Quilting

Quilt-making can be traced back to the 12th century when Chinese, Russian and Native American civilizations created three-layer garments that provided warmth during the cold winters and protection when metal for armor was scarce.  The crude needles of the time became valuable tools to quilt makers who crafted their work to provide basic needs rather than decoration.  Throughout time, until the modern age, needles, thread, and quilting frames were the basic tools of the quilter. 

We live in today’s world of mass-production, where machines have taken the place of the hands-on artist.  Most modern-day quilts are the result of factories and machines.  But even those quilters who choose to create their own quilts often choose a quilting machine to make their work error-free and much faster.  Without a modern quilting machine, it took months of steady work by a sewing artist and his/her friends to produce a beautiful, durable quilt.

In Amish societies, quilt-making is a social event as well as a way to create serviceable but beautiful home bed coverings and decorations. Without quilting machines, Amish women of today still use hand-made quilting frames to keep the fabric tight while the three-layered quilt is meticulously stitched together. Modern artists, regardless of religious faith, who choose to create a quilt without the benefit of a quilting machine, find pleasure in assembling a quilt “the old-fashioned way” instead of succumbing to the luxuries of modern tools.

Are Quilts Made with a Quilting Machine “Authentic?”

The answer to this question depends upon two things: your own definition of “authentic” and how your quilt is viewed by other quilters.  Not that opinions by others should be an “absolute,” but quilters who exhibit and/or sell their work may wish to take this into account. Some hand-quilters regard the use of quilting machines as nothing short of blasphemous. 

If you choose to use a quilting machine, you have a lot of company!  With a machine, say users, you can create a masterpiece within a fraction of the time that a hand-made quilt can be constructed.  If you need to make your quilt quickly as a gift or other occasion, a quilting machine can save the day.

When buying the machine, be sure to try it out yourself in the store; make sure it’s easy and comfortable to use and does what you need for it to do.  Bring your own fabric and thread to try the machine on – just what you’ll be using at home.

A good quilting machine shouldn’t cost more than $450-500.  Consider buying your machine at a craft and quilting store rather than a department store; this is where you will find expert advice on using the machine and maintaining it in prime condition.  

More Machine Quilting Articles:

• Long Arm Quilting
  
  Almost anyone who is seriously into quilting wishes they had a long arm quilting machine. These industrial sized machines allow quilting easier and faster. However, it comes at a very high price with some unit costing tens of thousands of dollars. For those who can afford, it is a worthy investment. Of course, most quilting businesses use this machine because of great efficiency. It allows a quilter to finish large quilts in a few weeks instead of months.
• Long Arm Quilting Machine
  
  A long arm quilting machine is a large sewing machine designed to handle large sheets of fabric. It allows the quilter to work faster and quilt large pieces.
• Machine Quilting is Faster And Better
  
  Machine quilting is the right way to quilt for neater and more beautiful quilts. For those of you who have hand quilted, you should try use a machine. You can use your regular sewing machine or you can use ones designed for only quilting.
• Quilting Machine
  
  You may think that using a quilting machine may take away from the beauty and quality of the quilt you are making but, a quilting machine can offer you a very nice piece that can be made in about half the time as it used to be.