I have had two brother machines. The first I got off of Overstock.com it is a XR-7700, it's on there now for 149. I love it. The second I got from Craigs list, it's a Brother-Disney 270D, I love that one too!

For the money you can't beat Sears Kenmore machines being made now. They are made by White who makes Janome. For $300 you can get a Kenmore with more features than any other low end big name machine. I had the opportunity to sew on the high end computerized Kenmore and it sewed like a dream. It will be my next machine purchase if I ever need another machine.

I have 3 Brother machines all from Wal Mart. The 1st is I think the 2175 a VERY basic machine, but a work horse. i only paid 75.00 for it. The 2 is the Disney 270D I have only done some machine embroidery on it. paid 399.00 and the last one is the CS6000i, for about 199.00.(I just went and checked it is now down to 179.00) I do almost everything on the last machine . I have had very good luck with my Brothers :lol: The 6000 has needle down, came with a quilting table (?) extra feet, needle left, right or center. Adjustable stitch length, walking foot. Good luck with your machine search, there are a lot of good ones to choose from
Sharon

If you are serious about sewing, quilting, doing upholstery then I would look carefully at machines and take your time.
Also, do not rule out used machines...
Most of us update our machines and our loss is your gain...you get a great running, serviced, loved machine at alot less than retail.
I would get a machine that you could grow into.
Maybe a bit fancy for you now but one that you wouldn't have to replace in a year of two because your skills and sewing desires have expanded...
Buy the best machine you can afford.
Viking, Pfaff, Brother, Janome, Babylock...and probably a couple of others I can't remember are all very good machines.
Kirsten

Okay, so my next question is from Kirsten's post. What features would someone want once their skills grow? Because I'm not going to care about fancy stitches.

The features prism99 mentioned seem to be things even a beginner would want. So my question is more what features, besides stitches, would a more advanced sewer crave?

Thanks for the new answers! I'm collecting all these.

Lisanne,
Good morning,
Welcome to this wonderful world of quilting sisters. Do you live nearby a Joanne fabric store?

Bettia

Never say never. I thought I'd never use fancy stitches but I'm sure glad mine machine has them now. I use them on place mats, potholders, aprons, totes, purses, etc.

I have a Kenmore computerized machine that is about 10 years old now. It was top of the line when we bought it. It is wonderful. I've made clothes, diapers, sewn on canvas toolbox covers for dh, and am now making quilts on it. It has the card that goes in it but I never use it.

A large area throat is very important if you quilt yourself instead of sending to a longarmer.
My first quilting machine was a cheap Brother but it dosnt have needle down which is important.
My newer machine is a HV Shaphire 830 with everything except embroidery. I love it. It cost 1100 when it first came out.
My Brother was 129 at Tuesday Morning.
My quilting improved alot with the better machine.

Bettia, yes, I'm near a JoAnn's. Why?

Bella, I anticipate the day when I'll want a high-end machine, but I'd rather get the lowest-price one I can for now, and once I'm sewing regularly and employed again, I'll be more aware of what I want in a high-end machine. So it makes no sense to me to buy a low-end one with fancy stitiches. (One day I'll want a serger..)

Understand, everyone, I originally posted this in the non-quilting section of the board, because I wasn't specifically looking for a sewing machine to quilt with. It got moved here via the wisdom of our moderators, but I plan to use it primarily for sewing, not quilting.

Rose Marie, I undertand why needle down is desirable, but why do you say it's important?