new here and new sewer needing help w/new machine
 

I learned how to sew from my grandmother in the 70's. Now, all of these years later - I knit, crochet, weave and spin. I really want to also sew after all of these years as my friends that also do it all quilt and sew. I have checked out a few machines - one that I can grow into and keep forever and am looking at:
Babylock Lyric
Janome skyline S5
Viking Opal 690Q

Does anyone have any advice on these machines since they all seem similar? I want to know which one you think is the highest mechanical quality and that will last the longest with the lease problems. I saw a listing on ebay for a used Janome at 1/2 the usual price if new and want to know your thoughts on buying a used machine online. Thank you everyone! I am excited to get sewing again.

are you already sure you want to get well into sewing, and that it will hold your interest "forever?"
if not, i recommend you start with a big-box brother model.
if you find you don't enjoy the craft as much as you expected you will not have a lot of money gathering dust.

i wouldn't buy a used machine online unless it was located near enough for me to give it a hands-on test drive.

if you can afford it, consider investing in something that's a lot more than you think you need right now.
trust me ... you will grow into it before you know it.

pick a brand with a dealer near you that provides service and repair services, too.

my personal preference for sewing is anything janome over anything else.

you haven't said what your budget is, so i hesitate to recommend a specific model, but here goes. i'm afraid all my recommendations cost a lot more than the S5. keep in mind, though, that i'm thinking "forever machine." the models you listed don't have what it takes to be "forever." you'd outgrow them sooner than you think.

you would never regret buying a janome memory craft 6700.
it strikes a good balance between the machine i am currently drooling over (Continental M7) and something comparable to the S5.

Welcome from Michigan! :)

Welcome from Southern Indiana...I'm sure you'll enjoy quilting...it's addictive!

Welcome to the board from Illinois.

I have 2 Brother and 1 Janome machines. They are computerized and circuit boards do go out. It is very pricey to get them fixed....$400~$600. I had a big box Janome machine I loved but it has quit sewing. My little Brother (big box) has a nasty habit of pulling fabric in crooked but it's still sewing. I have learned how to pull a bit to the left to keep it from fudging to the right.

Test drive any and every machine you like. Can you thread it easily? Does it have a free motion foot? How about a 1/4 inch foot? Can you adjust the needle to the left or right? Does it have a large throat? Do you have service locally and/or a warranty? Check out what the stitches look like. The Janome I bought has the best stitches, but the Brother is still working.

Good luck!

If I was purchasing a new machine at the time I started sewing. I would start with a basic model. Don't let a salesperson convince you of all the decorative stitches and embroidery options. Just go basic and you couldn't go wrong. If you are quilting, you just need a straight stitch an free motion option. It would also be great if there were sewing lessons or machine lessons involved.

Do not buy a machine from a "big box" store. Since you are basically starting out, you may need support from your dealer.
You will not get support from a big box store. Janomes are very dependable. check with a local dealer on a trade in.
Tell them what you plan to do and need in features on your machine. Best wishes in finding a good fit.

BTW - I am from Northern CA - in the "wine Country."
I tend to hold on to my equipment and my initial budget I was thinking would be up to $1500. The store that I have nearby says that if I buy one of their machines (Pfaff, Viking Juki) then at the one year anniversary if I wanted to upgrade that they would credit the entire cost of the machine I purchased toward the upgraded model - that is a pretty good thing. I already know that I will love sewing again and am excited to get started so there is no worry that I will be plunking my hard earned money into something that will collect dust. I want quality and something I can grow into and was thinking that the above machines would be good to start with .
The Janome dealer is a very very small ma and pa shop and so if I get a Janome it will be one that I won't be able to trade up but will have to sustain me. I like the ease of use of the screen and how to navigate around but the Viking Opal has a long memory for - let's say labels I may want to print, etc...