I have 2 brothers. ONe is just a cheapie that doesn't work right, and I can't find the replacement parts for it. The other is the SE 270 D that embroiders (there are some posts I made about it a long time ago, if you want to search). I had a lot of trouble with it. It finally died before the first year...THey FINALLY stood behind their product warranty and fixed it. Brother has a POOR service department. They treat you like you know nothing. I really love the machine, but I had a lot of problems. Some users don't have a single problem. I will not buy another Brother, though, and just thinking of their poor service department sends chills up my spine. After holding for like 15 minutes, they treat you like you are 4 years old. :(
There have been posts about recommended sewing machines on here before...if you want to do a search, I'm sure you'd find a lot of great advice.

Loretta, In our area to even 'look' at your machine before they even touch it ..is $65. I am sure in every area it is different prices and here I think we have many choices and one would think it would keep the prices down..and, maybe they are:))What I did w/my old brother that finally died is put it in a garage sale for 'free'...which I have done w/broken tv's, vcr's..etc. And, there is always someone that comes along and picks them up because they 'piddle' w/them, etc. I am not good either at just throwing away:))...Not sure what to do w/my old computer though...I don't want to give that away for someone in case they can pull any personal info off of it...so, there it sits:))Skeat

I've left it up to her to see if she wants to fix it or not (i have offered to pay for the repairs). I'm sure it could be fixed, but i don't think she wants to put any more money into a machine that she doesn't like and was a "doorbuster" sale machine. We called around to all the sewing places and we haven't' found anyone yet who will give us a free estimate. We have determined it was something with a gear within the sewing machine. All of the other parts are still moving. we can see the handwheel missing a gear or it skips over to the next one, and it won't turn towards you at all. And i wouldn't worry about filling up the landfill. My MIL is the type to keep it around and maybe one day it might just work (just like the old TV, computer, and VCR). :)

I ended up going to Sears last night and picked up this machine.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02015358000P?mv=rr

I was very pleased with the reviews the machine had on the website. And of course I bought the warranty plan. heck, if i can break a sewing machine in three weeks, it was a definitely a good buy. LOL

Thank you so much, I would of never had thought of that.

Glad to help that's what we're all here for, that and to look at beautiful quilt photos so once all the blocks are done don't forget to share photos. :D

Your new machine is so cute, based on the reviews it will be a good machine for you for years to come.

Did u buy 1/4 inch foot and walking foot? Cute machine Happy Sewing :!: :D

I did buy a 1/4 foot. I took it out last night, took one look at it, and put it back int he box! LOL I will use it definately but last night to finish my quilt i put a peice of tape where my "1/4" measured from the old machine and used that as my guide. I was too impatient to learn something new last night, i just wanted to finish my quilt!!

Which btw... i did finish last night! I have all my rows put together, i just need to sew the rows together. I'm doing that in class tonite so i can have some room to work. I should have pictures tomorrow.


Thank you Elizabeth. It was the reviews that sealed the deal for me. I figured most people will write a review if they dont' like it, if you like something you aren't likely to go back and say how much you like it. So the fact there were so many good reviews showed me that the people who bought the machine were truely happy and wanted everyone to know.

Its like what they taught us when i was waiting tables in college. Someone with a good experience might tell 1-2 people. Someone who has a bad experience will tell 12 people.

Thanks Loretta...and, you are so right about the teens:))LOL Skeat

Probably too late to help you in this but I just wanted to add this: I bought 2 portable Singer Touch'N Sew on Ebay for peanuts considering the price I paid 25 years ago! But these machines work so well, my two daughters-in-law wanted to learn sewing so I will be able to teach them on these machines. The TNS has all the important features mentioned and on Ebay, I can buy also my bobbins for so much less than at the Singer store.

All I did upon reception of the machines was to have them checked by the Singer technician and now, both are working wonderfully.

I have the same machine as ccbear66. I love my machine. It will be 2 years this thanksgiving. I have even quilted with mine. I have only quilted twin size quilts so far. Eventually I want to get a long arm. But that will be awhile. No matter what my kenmore works great for me.

Congrats on finishing up your blocks Rayone, are your strips all sewed up yet? My daughter calls it "Growing a quilt", she's three. It's really amazing how the blocks go from a pile to a quilt so fast!