How do you know what type of sewing machine to buy?

I have a Brother; not an expensive one... just a simple beginner machine. I purchased it before I started quilting. Anyway, the thing is making a horrible clunking when I sew.

So, I seem to be in the market for a new machine. I have no idea. I am guessing that my budget is going to be modest, but I would like a machine that I could use for FMQ and maybe some embroidery... maybe.

Help this newbie out!!!

Have you taken the Brother in to have it checked? A repair might be less expensive than a new machine.

I bought my first bernina 25+ years ago and recently traded it in for another older model then I found a New Home, Janome on craigs list that worked beautifully for 75. you might watch such places and go give it a test drive I love the New Home and it has a New Home with my BFF. I sure miss it though. I liked it better than my bernina

i have a jenome 6500 and i love it. it does up to a king quilt for free motion quilting. and has all of the bells and more. i suggest you go to a near by sewing machine place and look around or you local quilt store and see what they have used as many trade in for a newer model. that is how i got my 350E emb. machine. it was a trade in for a newer model. and it was a greart price. plus it was unser warrenity also. good luck in your hunting. ogama

clean it good and oil it, change the needle as well.

Then decide if you really need a new one!

Thanks! Yeah.... I probably need a new one LOL ;)

Actually, I will probably see about getting this one fixed and maybe another one that is 'fancier' to learn to FMQ on.

Hubby is on board with whatever I decide, :shock: which is nice, since he is footing the bill either way! :lol:

I agree. It might just need a good cleaning, especially the bobbin area. And by all means change the needle. Sometimes that's all it takes or the timing may be off and then you would have to have it serviced for the technician tell you the problem. If you decide to buy a new one, go try them all out to see which one you like best for your budget. Good luck...

As the daughter of one of the best salesmen whoever lived I can tell you the warranty is Very important. You can get a great machine that is used, but it is so important to buy one from a dealer who has reconditioned it and stands behind their warranty. So research your local dealers first then the brands of machines they sell. Good luck & get your brother fixed first. Use this experience to check out a dealer you're interested in and if you have a working machine you will be more patient in your search for a more advanced machine.

If you are looking for a good machine that does just about everything for a not too outrageous price. Look around for a Bernina 440. Bernina is introducing a new line of machines, and it is widely thought that a lot of 440's will be traded in or sold privately. This model gives you a solid machine, the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) Which certainly helps with FMQ and It can do embroidery using your laptop. If you can afford it check out the new 580 machine which is just now rolling out. Nice embroidery features, very user friendly. Good luck in your search!

I love my Brother machines. I have one that I sew on and one that I do embroidery on. Don't know about the others.