Originally Posted by
Frozenmama
I'm pretty new to this board, but am loving all that I'm learning from reading through the posts. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to share. I have been sewing for 28 years, quilting for the last 10 or so. (For some reason, I'm not able to "enter" down to a new paragraph - sorry if this looks like a giant run on!) I was given a great Kenmore 17 years ago, which has served me very well. I've never had one problem with the machine, sews like a dream and can handle everything I've thrown at it. BUT - I'd like to upgrade! I'd like a machine that has better lighting than the one I currently own, and I'd also like a machine that I can adjust the needle position. As well, I'd like the addition of a quilters extension attachment. I don't need much more than a straight stitch & a zigzag - so a machine with a million stitch functions is wasted on me. I'd also like to stay under $400 - that's about all I can afford right now. Where I live, there is no local sewing shop that carries machines, but I've been looking on line. Costco, Walmart, etc. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the different brands, ones that I thought were good, I'm reading reviews saying the machines are actually not good after all. Any suggestions?
$400 is really not enough $$$ to get a good reliable machine that I know of - your lighting requirements take you out of vintage, which is actually a good choice if you don't have a bundle to spend. My choice would be the Juki F series. I have the 600 and it is a marvelous machine - $900 and it has the bells and whistles of a $2500 Janome, Viking, Pfaff. The F-300 has less than the 600 and maybe cheaper to buy. The Juki has the strongest motor of all the machines - except vintage. None of this problem over thick seams, it just goes. Love, love, love my Juki's.