Bibliogirl

I am going to buy a new sewing machine. I have been looking around at different brands but cannot decide which to buy. I am a quilter and I sew other items such as stuffed dolls and animals, potholders, and decorated things. My current machine does not have any fancy stitches and this is what I want in a new machine, along with ease of sewing and ability to machine quilt. I'd like a long throat but machines with this feature seem very expensive. I will pay up to $1500 for a machine. Any suggestions as to brand and model??

Thanks ever so much for your advice.