Carol34446

I have a Brother SQ9000 I got on sale on Amazon.com for $140 and it has 80 stitches, but I also have a Kenmore from 70's, a Singer from 18's, may or may not keep although I have it working now. Helen, my grandmothers 201-3 works great with quilting as it has a large harp and straight stitches like a dream. But to quilt I would look for one with a larger harp area. But they all sew really good.

jollyquilting

I still like the Janome and the larger throat.

purplefiend

21 years ago I bought a Bernina 1031 and it sews as well as the day I bought it. You can't go wrong with and older Bernina or other high end machine. The new plastic machines often don't last beyond 5 years.
Sharon

Pepita

You might be a good candidate for a singer featherweight. That particular machine is from the 1930's and is light weight, so could go to bee's or retreats easily. As far as repairs, they are pretty simple machines, and there are experts here on the Quilt board. It stitches a beautiful seam, just like most any mechanical machine it too can quilt a quilt.

lovedquilts

Babylock machines are user friendly

tenngal

I am also interested in knowing which affordable machine has a wider throat or harp area?