I'm new to the forum, but not to quilting. However, my experience has been haphazard (as have been my quilts at times!!)
My problem is that my machine has blown a gear, and repairing it will be very expensive. The repairman is trying to convince me that it would be better to get a new machine, and I think he is right, BUT! I need help figuring out WHAT machine. I really can't spend more than $700-800.00
Any suggestions or advice from anyone would be most appreciated!

*Waves from Iowa* :)

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...um/welcome.gif

I would say to go to the various dealers and try out their machines. Take samples of fabric and fabric sandwiches to test drive their machines for piecing, free motion, decorative stitching, etc...

Welcome from Southern California. I'm sure that there will be several folks here that could help you with a machine. The one I have is a little higher end so I won't recommend it to you.

Welcome from Ninnie in NC

Welcome from Adelaide, South Australia. The members on this forum will steer you in the right direction. They are truly great!!

Welcome from Ireland.
As others have suggested before me, try out as many as you can both in your price range and above. I say those above, because sometimes you can get a good deal on a used one higher up the range, when someone is upgrading. Providing you are happy with your dealer, then he will look after you and your machine. Sadly, here in Ireland, we are almost bereft of Bernina dealers, so, while I love my machine, I dread the day something goes wrong with it. It did once, the dealer put it in his store room and forgot it (he is well past retiring age). After several weeks, he told me he had sent it to the UK for repair. When I checked the UK, he hadn't. Eventually I got it back, but it took almost THREE MONTHS. Can you imagine how I felt?

Welcome from NE CA. Glad you joined us. For my 2 cents worth, I love the elnas. You should be able to get a great one in your price range. We love pictures.

Hello from Washington State.
As for machines. I got my Brother at Walmart for Almost $200. I love it :D

Hi and Welcome from southern Indiana!

Welcome from Roscoe, Illinois. In that price range you should have a lot of choices.

Welcome from Missouri. Find a dealer you like and can trust, and that has been in business for a while and talk. Test drive everything!

Hello from Soap Lake <wave>
Have you checked online to see what the different companies offer in your price range?
Our most recent purchase was the Babylock Quilt Choice Pro(fessional) in your price range. It came with an extension table, plus push button thread cutter, and the leg that drops down so you can raise and lower the foot. It only has two stitches, forward and backward. Actually, I guess that is just one stitch.
I have been using it on my quilting frame as a quilter, and my sister-in-law uses it for piecing and quilting, just on her table ... if I remember correctly, it also came with a hard case for portability.
Since neither of us cares for the fancy stitches it was a good choice for us.
If I were looking for a new machine, I would want features such as: drop feed dogs, needle left/right, needle up/down, plus all those features above ... I was disappointed that the machine did not have needle up/down, but I got over it (obviously <g>) ...
The Throat of the machine, so important for machine quilters is larger than other machines - - eight high by ten long, inches, that is ...
I bought the machine, sight unseen, which I would not recommend ever again ....
How are the mountains this summer? <g>

A warm welcome from Colorado.

Hello from the beautiful, WARM mountains! It is really going to be a lovely weekend!
I checked out the local dealers and read a bit online and finally ordered a Singer from Amazon, which, theoretically, is especially set up for quilting, with threader, cutter, drop-feed, wide throat, extended bed, several specialty feet, a special quilting stitch (supposed to look like hand quilting) and a variety of fancy stitches.
Do I like it? I sure hope so, but it hasn't arrived yet, so - so far I'm just in love with the description!! :D

That sounds like a great machine!

Welcome!

YAY!
SOunds like you have got your dream machine. Cool!

which model did you order?

I checked consumer reports and they say the Brother Innovis-40 Project runway machine is a good one. Runs about $400.00. I have a brother 600q that I really like. But like many others have said, just check with your local dealer and try some out.

I am sure there are many decent machines for much less than $700. Have you tried Walmart? I have seen some good prices there.

Hi and welcome from Massachusetts.

Hello and welcome from Pittsburgh, PA :D