Hi Laurel, Welcome to the quilt board. I look forward to seeing your first creations after time away.

It seems most people are saying to make sure you test the machine out, buy from an actual dealer, and make sure you have a good relationship with your repair person. (You will be at his mercy if you need to have your machine repaired.)

Good luck on finding the machine of your dreams.

Welcome from Washington State. When you start looking for a machine, it's as important to find a good dealer as a good machine. They can help you find the right machine for you, as well as be there to help with problems and fix it when something goes wrong.

A lot of dealers carry more than one brand, and you can compare different brands and machines in one place. Be sure to take some of your own fabric, because the store will only have no fail fabric that looks good, but nobody uses in real life.

Also talk to more than one dealer. And let them know it. I used to sell Viking, and we were supposed to close a sale the first time a customer walked into the store--and we got heck if an interested customer wanted to "think" about it. Sheeesh!

BTW, I ended up selling my Viking and am quilting on a Singer 301. I still have my Bernina 1630. I'd buy another Viking if the right one came along at the right price.

Hello, welcome from Nevada!

:) welcome from se TX

Welcome from Massachusetts! I love the Janome machines. I have 2 of them and have had no problems. They also come with many extras. Also, no matter what machine you decide on make sure you have a dealer who is close so in case you need service or need help with learning the machine you don't have to travel a long distance. Happy sewing!

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)

for 1000 you should be able to get a nice machine. I would look for a gently used machine from you dealer, you may be able to get a lot of bang for your buck. I am a brother/babylock girl. They are reliable, user friendly, affordable, give you a good amount for the price. Janomes are also very popular, but I still love my brothers

Welcome from Ontario. Canada. Hope you have many happy days in "therapy" :)

I hope you'll post often! You'll get plenty of inspiration here.

Hello and welcome from northern California!