Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • recommendations for basic machine >
  • recommendations for basic machine

  • recommendations for basic machine

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 10-19-2012, 05:06 PM
      #1  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Oct 2012
    Posts: 2
    Default recommendations for basic machine

    any recommendations on a new basic sewing machine for everyday sewing and piecing and quilting?
    price range about $400 - $500.
    morningglory is offline  
    Old 10-19-2012, 05:40 PM
      #2  
    Senior Member
     
    jollyquilting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Co
    Posts: 844
    Default

    You can find a lot of machines in that range. Personally, I like Janome but a lot of people swear by Brother too. I think you will find one that is great. I like Janome because of the quality.
    jollyquilting is offline  
    Old 10-19-2012, 06:55 PM
      #3  
    Senior Member
     
    Patti25314's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: threading a needle or pulling a weed
    Posts: 483
    Default

    It's really not so much what you buy as where you buy it. Try to get something from a local shop with a good service department - and possibly classes. Think of buying a sewing machine as you would a car. You need to take care of it, and you want a good service group behind you if you have any problems.
    Patti25314 is offline  
    Old 10-19-2012, 10:42 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Washington
    Posts: 4,001
    Default

    Amazon has good prices on Brother machines and maybe Janome. I have a Janome, but I have heard a lot of good things about Brothers as well.
    sewbeadit is offline  
    Old 10-20-2012, 07:20 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2007
    Location: Clay Springs AZ
    Posts: 3,229
    Default

    Get the largest throat space you can get.
    Needle down feature is great to have.
    For me a drop in bobbin is a must also.
    I have 3 Brother machines. My first a basic beginner quilting machine for $129 that came with a walking foot and a table, the second is a lightweight for travel that cost $89, the third is a small embroidery machine with just a 4 in embroidery area. Wish I could afford a bigger embroidery but this one was under $300 so it will have to do for learning.
    Later I bought a Viking Sapphire for $1100 that has a 10 inch throat and lots of bells and whistles. But my brother is still my backup machine if I ever have to put my Viking in the shop.
    Rose Marie is offline  
    Old 10-20-2012, 07:24 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Deborahlees's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Wine Country-Southern California
    Posts: 1,449
    Default

    Do you have a local sewing machine store....as them about service, and if they have any trade ins....
    If not then I would go with a Brother from Amazon, they are super great machines, easy to understand,
    great features, you can order parts direct from them on the internet.....
    Deborahlees is offline  
    Old 10-20-2012, 05:49 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Dolphyngyrl's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 6,254
    Default

    Now that you have a budget I would suggest the brother PC-420 off amazon, because people just have loved that model, one lady even returned a similar mid range to her dealer because she liked the one from amazon better. I love my brothers, the only non brother I had was my espire but it was made by brother. They are the most user friendly. I used all mine right out of the box no problem. Manuals are well written
    Dolphyngyrl is offline  
    Old 10-20-2012, 06:20 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Pat625's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2012
    Location: North Pole
    Posts: 1,643
    Default

    I have only one machine... a Brother that I bought in Walmart 6 years ago for under $100.. St..ill running great
    Pat625 is offline  
    Old 10-21-2012, 03:19 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Yarn or Fabric's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Alabama
    Posts: 3,371
    Default

    I think it depends on what you want out of your machine... If you want piecing speed, I'd consider a Brother 1500 series machine. It's a little above your limit but you might be able to score one used. A lot of people buy them to use on a quilt frame and then figure out that there isn't enough throat space to do much of anything. It's doable but you have to really learn to cut your quilting motifs down and turn quilts, etc.

    I have a friend who purchased this machine through Walmart.com and it is a good machine and came with all that she needed or wanted for an entry level machine... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Co...S6000I/4764726
    It even has a walking foot and the table extension. I *think* she had to buy a 1/4 quilting foot but it was very cheap and available at Walmart, Joanns, Hancock's etc.
    Yarn or Fabric is offline  
    Old 10-21-2012, 12:14 PM
      #10  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2012
    Location: Killeen, Texas
    Posts: 329
    Default

    I would have to echo this advice. Never underestimate the value of customer service. So nice to be able to get help in person or be taught how to maintain good working order of your machine. A lot of local stores do offer this when you buy the machine from them.

    Originally Posted by Patti25314
    It's really not so much what you buy as where you buy it. Try to get something from a local shop with a good service department - and possibly classes. Think of buying a sewing machine as you would a car. You need to take care of it, and you want a good service group behind you if you have any problems.
    batikmystique is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Susan7639
    Main
    7
    10-15-2015 08:34 AM
    morningglory
    Main
    12
    10-22-2012 03:06 AM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    7
    05-01-2011 11:50 PM
    mpeters1200
    Main
    79
    01-29-2011 07:34 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter