Hello all! :-D I was really hoping that someone could tell me what machine they recommend for quilting. I want to sew baby quilts for my new bundle of joy granddaughter. It would really help to hear your input, can anyone tell me what machine I should buy? :?:

What's your price range? That's really the first question, as some people have under $150 to spend while others are willing to invest $5,000 or more. Makes a huge difference in what machines are suggested.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....+to+buy&u=&s=0
This is a link with lots of info on sewing machines. Everyone has their favorite. My suggestion is to buy the best you can afford. Some new quilters buy a used machine from a dealer. Go to some shops and test drive shop around and go with the one that will best fit your needs.

The best machine you already own is you. It does not matter how expensive your equipment is. You can get by just fine with something simple (Kenmore) if you do not plan on sewing a lot in the future. I sewed on my Kenmore for almost 30 years, and in ways, love it better than the Husqvarna/Viking that I recently purchased. (We are still building a friendship here.) I have used both equally for quilting, and just because a model says it is built specifically for quilting, don't believe it. That extra space between the needle and machine would have to be huge to make it better.

Oh yes thank you Prism99! :-) - My price range for this quilting machine is $400-$500

I would start out with a vintage singer 15!

a singer is always the best machine I think. I have a singer stylist, a singer futura, a white, a singer 15-91 and am getting a new baby I purchased today an 1897 singer.

I would check out Sears Kenmore machines, which are made by Janome. They tend to be great values and reliable machines.

Also check with local dealerships for a used machine. Some people trade up regularly, so it's possibly to get many more bells and whistles in a used machine than new.

Decide which features are the most important to you. For most quilters, needle-down is a must, as is needle adjustability to left and right (useful for machine applique).

I really like the brother's and babylocks, brother's project runway line gets really great reviews, and you can't beat the price

I really like my Elna, but as someone said we all have our favorites. Personally speaking I wouldn't buy a NEW Singer, an OLD one yes. I would go to a dealer and "drive" different models/brands, deciding what you need and what you can do without. The dealer may even have a higher end trade in that has what you want and a good deal for you.