Originally Posted by
Prism99
Since space is an issue in your sewing room, I would consider perhaps a Janome 8900 which has a big enough harp to make machine quilting easier but also has an assortment of decorative stitches. Unlike some other Janome models, it has a free arm that makes it useful for garment sewing as well as quilting.
A lot of people really like the Brother DreamWeaver machine, although I think there is an even newer model out with more features. This is another all-singing all-dancing machine.
Edit: Limited space is definitely an issue. If you had more space, I might recommend a combination of several machines, each engineered to deliver the highest quality specialty applications. For example, I might recommend a Juki 2010 for piecing, a Sweet Sixteen for machine quilting, a Brother PE770 for emboirdery, and yet another machine for decorative stitches. And perhaps a high-end serger for both garment sewing and decorative stitching on quilts.
I really wish I could have that kind of set up. I don't do embroidery and I've never owned a serger. I guess I want to know first, what has the very best plain old straight stitch. I like the Bernina I inherited. I know the new ones have a stitch regulator. If I'm not going to buy a serger and want something with a stitch regulator, what is the best choice? I know for garments it just takes longer then to sew seam, trim and then finish, but I'm assuming that a serger isn't for machine quilting. I don't have to have something that sews every single decorative stitch. I don't use most of the ones I have now.