Originally Posted by Prism99
Well, I think it's HUGE overkill to spend $1,400 on a machine that will be used exclusively for piecing with no FMQing or embroidery. In that case, you just want a very reliable machine that makes a perfect stitch and have a few additional features such as:
needle down
variable needle position
variable stitch length and stitch width
standard decorative stitches (potentially for applique)
maybe auto cutter for thread
Many, many good quality sewing machines have these features for much less than $1,400 when you are not concerned about harp size (area under the arm that affects how much quilt can be stuffed in there when machine quilting). Maybe you can use the excess money for fabric?
This is excellent advice. And someone else said to go to a few different shops and try out the machines. Janome, Bernina and Pfaff are the biggest names right now, so those are the ones you want to try out first. You're going to "fit" better with one brand than another, so it's going to be up to your own personal taste.
Needle up/down, a needle threader and a knee lift lever (for the presser foot) are my absolute musts on a sewing machine. I passed on a beautiful Bernina 150 because that model doesn't have a needle threader. Sorry, but these eyes just can't see to thread a needle anymore! :roll:
And although a new machine sounds wonderful, if you're not quite sure what you want in a machine, get a used one for now and put the money away until you decide what features you really "need" in a machine.