Janome 6500 knee lifter for sewing foot, large throat opening, needle up and down, needle threader,push button automatic thread cutter this is generally the machine I quilt on. A lot of bang for the buck. What I don't like is that I had to spend the money to buy a straight stitch plate. It did not come with it. Also it is way to big/heavy to lug around.
I have many vintage machines including two that are treadles. I love the all metal parts. That makes it that many are also to heavy to lug around with the exception of the Bernina 830 (vintage one), Elna super matic, Singer Feather Weight and Singer 301. Currently a white Feather Weight is what I am piecing on. What I do not like is many are very heavy, no knee lifter (except for the Bernina 830) and no thread cutter. Some of them in cabinet have a knee control instead of a foot control. It takes a moment to get used to but I like it. Many are straight stitch only. Things I miss on them needle threader, even a basic thread cutting area on the machine is abscent, no needle up and down, no automatic thread cutter etc. All the wonderful bells and wisthles on the more modern Janome 6500.