Help!!
 

Hi! My hubby has just informed me that I can purchase a new sewing machine!!!!!!!!! Problem is, I'm not sure which one to choose. I want something that isn't too awfully expensive, but will be just what I need to use for quilting as well as basic sewing and crafting. All suggestions will be so much appreciated.

Darlene

Oh do not know what to suggest, there are so many wonderful machines out there!!!!!! Congrats and enjoy your new machine!

My suggestion is that you try a variety of machines from a variety of dealers. My workhorse, a straight stitch Janome would not be a help to you. You are the person who needs to be pleased.

i am with mighty there are so many nice and good machines out there. just start going
around and sewing on them and then decide which one is for you.

Yep... I have featherweights, a Baby Lock, 2 Vikings and a Singer. I use my least expensive machine the most it seems....my little $150 Baby Lock quilts baby quilts, does utility sewing and is great to take to workshops where I may need zig zag (featherweights usually go). So....you can find something that is an all around machine in every price range and you may surprise yourself at which you choose. Hands on is the only way and the dealers should be able to guide you as they know their machines and try to match you up w/ the best for you. Try more than one brand. Also, if you are going for a higher end machine, look at the price of the feet that you may want to add. There are some brands that charge an outrageous amount for the feet and others have reasonable pricing.

When I was getting ready to buy a new machine, I did extensive research at this site: http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews - You get honest reviews from people who actually own the machines, including pros and cons. I made a chart and listed the features of every machine I was considering, so I would have a good basis for comparison. I then searched the internet to find local shops that sold and serviced the machines. Unfortunately, I live in the boonies, so the nearest dealer is an hour away.

After weeks of study, I decided on a Janome 6600. I considered the 7700, but my cabinet wouldn't accommodate a machine that large, and I love my cabinet. Plus, for little more than the price of the 7700, I was able to buy the 6600 and a Janome 350e embroidery machine. It's almost 2 years later, and I have never regretted that decision for a minute. The 6600 is a wonderful machine; the dealer gave free lessons on both machines; and she encouraged me to buy the FMQ bobbin case for the sewing machine (which is the best $25 I've ever spent).

The only "con" with the 6600 is that it does not have a free-arm. That was not an issue for me inasmuch as I bought it for quilting, rather than sewing...and my old sewing machine has a free-arm.

Good luck and happy shopping!

The best way to purchase a new sewing machine is to go to various dealers and try out the machines. Just as important, try out the dealers. Are the dealers helpful? Is the store clean? Do they do their own servicing of their machines or are sent to someone off site? Does the dealer listen to you or are they only interested in selling you their most expensive machine? Whatever dealer you buy from, that is the dealer you will be having to deal with in the future. Make sure that the dealer is someone that you feel comfortable with. Good Luck!

Yay! New machines are so much fun, but don't let yourself get too bogged down in the decision. I researched for months before buying the Janome 8900 last week. To others, it would seem that it was an impulse purchase, and I guess to a degree it was since I had originally had plans to purchase on the 15th of March, not the 23rd of February. LOL And although I'd checked out the 8900 and really liked it, it wasn't really on my list of "Machines in serious running" simply because I had been quoted a price higher than I wanted to pay. But I found a good deal and since I already knew the machine would be great for quilting, and I'd had several chances to play with one, I jumped on it.

Now I'm looking for a machine for embroidery and I'm almost back to that analysis paralysis I had with the sewing machine. But I have confidence that when I'm ready to buy the machine in a couple of weeks, I will make the right decision because I've done my research and found a few machines that will work well for what I need.

Good luck!