sunnyhope

I dont know what to get cause the ones i really fancy are to expensive, 300 pounds/ 3000 NOK is really what i can spend, perhaps a little bit more but not a lot.

any suggestions, it needs to be as much for easy quilting as for sewing clothes and bits and bobs.

I will add names on the ones i have looked at later :wink:

diogirl

I'm looking to buy one as well. The one I have found that I will probably buy is the Singer Ingenuity 7436. It has 70 different stitches to choose from, drop in bobbin so i can see how much thread is left, drop feed for free motion quilting, comes with an extension table, and it's very affordable. It's $199.00 plus shipping from this website. http://www.sewvacdirect.com/singer-7436.html# I'm definately getting it, just waiting for next payday. :)

SherriB

I bought a new sewing machine back in January. It wass the Janome HT 2008. It cost around $400. I love it! It sews beautifully and quietly. I wanted a machine that did button holes and this one does them perfectly!!!

sunnyhope

I m not sure i can get either in Norway.
I have looked at HUsquarna emerald 118 but also the 183 which seems amazing but a bit on the pricy side for me.
i have also thought abought singer confidence but some ppl dont like singer.
also elna 5200 i think its called but i m not sure.

Prism99

Husqvarna sewing machines have a good reputation. The old black Singers were great, but the newer Singers have a very mixed reputation. I think some of the high-end Singers are good, but low-end Singers often get negative reviews. Elnas are similar in that the old Elnas were great, but new Elnas are mixed -- maybe some good higher-end models, but lower-end models may not be as satisfactory as other brands. There are exceptions to every rule, though. Some low-end Singers and Elnas may be decent machines, and some people love theirs.

One thing to keep in mind is that more bells and whistles don't necessarily make a better machine. You need the basics to work very well first -- especially tension. Some of the low-end machines are not good at maintaining an even tension, so you can waste a *lot* of time trying to get the tension right. If you have that problem, it doesn't matter if the machine has 100 fancy stitch patterns; you won't be able to count on them sewing out well. Reliability first, then bells and whistles!

It's a good idea to join http://sewing.patternreview.com/ (it's free) and study the reviews of different sewing machine models there. Look for something available in your area that is within your price range.

pinkquilter

I have several machines, and my favorite is my Singer Featherweights. You can't go wrong with a featherweight!!!

sunnyhope

i am seriusly thinking the elna or the emerald 183 but it is really to pricy for me, i can pay a bit at the time thou

i think my mum will kill me susing more than 3000 nok on a machine, the elna is 4000 nok and the 183 is just nder 5000 nok.

the emerald 118 is 2900 nok and is the best in price for me but it has 18 stitches compared the elnas 60 and the 183 has well 183 or something and i have seen how lovely things look with sum pretty stitching...........

MadQuilter

Nina,
I would recommend that you make a list of features that are important to you and then compare the machines you picked against your list.

For me, it is very important that I can select the needle in a down position.
I also like to have an indication when my bobbin runs low. (A drop-in bobbin would work OK for that.)
As a quilter, I want to be able to drop the feed-dogs and do free-motion quilting.
Really nice to have is stitch control (length, width, and needle position)
A nice even blanket stitch is wonderful but a decent zig-zag will do the work too.

I have heard/read good things about Husqvarna and would not hesitate to buy one. However, no matter what you get, try to test-drive the machine and find out what feet/accessories come with it (or are available).

Like someone else already mentioned, bells and whistles are not necessary. For the most part you'll use straight and zig-zag.