New to this forum
 

Hello!
I have returned to sewing after a very loooong absence. I don't know about you, but when I turned 50, I felt a tremendous need to create! A flight attendant friend of mine introduced me to the world of quilting. Thank you Betty!!! It has been such fun sitting down in front of my machine and happily stitching away. Betty called it "therapy" and it is! I am shopping for a new machine and want to spend around $1000., any suggestions? I look forward to getting to know you! Happy Stitching!:o

Welcome from Adrian, MI

Welcome from NW Tennessee.

Welcome from S CA!!

I love the Janome line of machines. They are sturdy and I feel you get a lot for your $$$'s. Just my opinion. Anyway, welcome to the board from the friendly State of Alabama

Welcome from upstate New York! Good luck with your search for a new or new to you machine! I've been 'in therapy' for close to 10 years now. It's wonderful and this board is too. Just yesterday I saw a barn block and thought "Oh, I can make that." That's just what I did. Welcome to the Quilting Board!

Hi from Ohio!

Welcome! I would suggest doing some internet research to see whats available and to get an idea of what kind of features you may want on your machine, then go to some local shops and take the machines for a test drive. The Quit Expos and larger shows are a great place for test driving as most dealers are there and will have special deals. Good luck on your search!

Hi Laurel, Welcome to the quilt board. I look forward to seeing your first creations after time away.

It seems most people are saying to make sure you test the machine out, buy from an actual dealer, and make sure you have a good relationship with your repair person. (You will be at his mercy if you need to have your machine repaired.)

Good luck on finding the machine of your dreams.

Welcome from Washington State. When you start looking for a machine, it's as important to find a good dealer as a good machine. They can help you find the right machine for you, as well as be there to help with problems and fix it when something goes wrong.

A lot of dealers carry more than one brand, and you can compare different brands and machines in one place. Be sure to take some of your own fabric, because the store will only have no fail fabric that looks good, but nobody uses in real life.

Also talk to more than one dealer. And let them know it. I used to sell Viking, and we were supposed to close a sale the first time a customer walked into the store--and we got heck if an interested customer wanted to "think" about it. Sheeesh!

BTW, I ended up selling my Viking and am quilting on a Singer 301. I still have my Bernina 1630. I'd buy another Viking if the right one came along at the right price.

Hello, welcome from Nevada!

:) welcome from se TX

Welcome from Massachusetts! I love the Janome machines. I have 2 of them and have had no problems. They also come with many extras. Also, no matter what machine you decide on make sure you have a dealer who is close so in case you need service or need help with learning the machine you don't have to travel a long distance. Happy sewing!

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)

for 1000 you should be able to get a nice machine. I would look for a gently used machine from you dealer, you may be able to get a lot of bang for your buck. I am a brother/babylock girl. They are reliable, user friendly, affordable, give you a good amount for the price. Janomes are also very popular, but I still love my brothers

Welcome from Ontario. Canada. Hope you have many happy days in "therapy" :)

I hope you'll post often! You'll get plenty of inspiration here.

Hello and welcome from northern California!

Welcome to the QB and back to sewing! It is therapy!

Make a list of the top features you want in a machine to help you chose. I was thinking of getting a machine with a knee lift. Asked one dealership and they said those types of models start out in the $3000 range.....uhhhh - no thanks (for right now at least).

Nan - IN

Thanks! I am definitely interested in the Janome machines. I have made a list of features that i would love to have and plan on visiting a couple of dealers this weekend.

Hi Nan, with list in hand i shall bravely navigate the waters of the sewing machine dealers! I am looking at Janome and Viking. While I would love to have the knee lift feature, I think I will have to take a pass on that price! Wish me luck!

Hello Laurel 1962! Welcome from Minnesota! Go to a dealership and test drive some sewing machines...kinda like you do a car! You will get the feel of them and will be able to make a decision on which one fits your needs! Have fun!! :)

Welcome from Kansas...