I would like to go through some of the things you need to know to make quilts and how it affects the type of machine and accessories you will need to make a quilt with a minimum of fuss and bother. The first thing you need to do is decide how big your quilt will be when finished. You then need to determine the types of thread you will be using as this will affect the type or types of needles you will be using during the construction of your quilt. Your quilting needles need to be sharp so as not to make sloppy stitches or tear the fabric as you go through the layers and the batting. A company called Schmetz makes excellent quilting needles in two sizes for different thicknesses of batting. If during your quilting you notice the needle looking dull during thread changes, popping noises when going through the fabric instead of being silent or sloppy stitches, stop and make a needle change right away.
There are different threads for hand quilting versus machine quilting and you should never use a hand stitching thread on a machine. Metallic thread, monofilament and other hand stitching threads will not work well with any machine as they can not be put on a bobbin. Rayon is great for a wall hanging, but if you are going to make a quilt that will be washed on a regular basis you should probably stick to one hundred percent cotton thread. A rule of thumb is to match the thread color to the backing you are using unless you are trying to contrast the colors.
Here are some tips when using a quilting sewing machine to get the best results. Trace your quilt pattern on freezer paper and press to the fabric or use light weight paper and pin it to the fabric and sew along the pattern edge. Putting a table the same height as your sewing machine next to the work area will help hold the quilt and make it easier to keep straight lines and tight seams. Use a walking foot so that the quilt will not tend to bunch up under the presser foot and use a straight stitch needle plate to prevent the quilt form being pushed down into the throat plate.