Xtgirl

I was going to suggest using a vintage machine as they are tough,simple and in most cases heavy duty. The 201 or the 301 I think would work great. The only issue is if you want fancier newer features. I think for 1000 you should definitely get something that will suit your needs. You may get more bang for your buck buying used however. I bought a bernina 440qe from a fellow quilter for a great price, so that could be another way to go.

Weezy Rider

Malarky. All you need is a machine that will sew the way you want. People were doing extreme stuff - embroidery, lace on the first electric singers! If you sew everything besides quilting, get a good machine that will sew everything from jeans to silk. There are featherweight users that will use nothing else for quilting, and by today's standards, the featherweight is primitive. (It's mechanical rather than electronic)

I've demoed cutwork, couching, pintucks, cording, and some freemotion embroidery on a plain zig-zag only mechanical machine. If you go back to the Pfaff, some of the lower priced models have IDT which works well. You use that instead of a walking foot. The one advantage to the IDT, is that most feet work with it. I can use the SID foot, 1/4 inch foot, open toe, you name it. Some disagree, but I prefer an vertical bobbin. I've used the 2144 Pfaff for those templates for borders. Used triple stitch and kept the IDT down.
Those that really like walking feet can make a case for those. You will need to find whatever suits you best.

Chasing Hawk

When we started looking for an embroidery machine for my sewing room. We made the mistake of going to a sewing center shop (the ones who sell machines not like a LQS) She kept steering us to the 3000 dollar Babylocks. I told her my budget was under a grand. She looked as if I threw a bucket of water on her and was melting. We left, I went online and ordered my PE770 by Brother.
I have a Brother SQ9000 that does what I want, has lots of stitches etc. Then my Janome 11543 is the machine I go to for the mean stuff like denim and thick seams. The Janome will sew a quilt top and FMQ it also.

Do some more research online and take those sales people hogwash with a grain of salt.

QuiltnLady1

You can get some nice machines for around $1000 -- I would suggest looking at Janomes or Elnas if you want a newer machine. I too would suggest you go to a different shop.

neenee586

Here is a nice article on your "gem" 201. Dig her out, clean her up and give her a go!
http://www.sewalot.com/singer_201k_sewalot.htm

nygal

Check out www.allbrands.com. I bought all of my machines from them and love them all. They offer many brands, have free shipping and super fast delivery. Good luck. It is fun doing the research!

Yarn or Fabric

Have you considered getting a machine like the Juki 2010, Brother 1500 or the Janome 6600? All of those are 9" throated machines. They only do straight stitches but they're solid machines and piece and quilt really nicely I'm looking in to getting one of those for myself. I'm leaning towards the Juki but I haven't decided yet...

Shelbie

Use your Singer 201. You'll be amazed at the power, speed and size of the harp. I got mine as a Freebie and it sews rings around my Janome 6500 which cost me $2000. I got the 201 to mend DH's coveralls as the Janome moaned, groaned and skipped when I tried to stitch through heavy duc. Now I find the 201 stitches more evenly than the Janome, doesn"t jump at seam intersections and I can stuff a queen sized quilt through it for machine quilting as the feed dogs drop (knob is underneath the machine). You don't need to spend more money. I'd also check Craig's List (Kijiji in Canada) as you can sometimes get very good deals. That's how I got my 201.

booklady

Went to an auction last night. Pfaff 7592 (?) sewing/embroidery machine went for $600. I saw them on ebay for upwards of $1500! My point is . . . look around, a used one may be the way to go. I bought a Husvarna Viking for $35 at an auction. Found the receipt in the inst book. $325 retail! Took it back to the same shop for a tuneup and have a great working machine. My Pfaff 79 is over 40 years old and I'm afraid it's on its last legs so I wanted a backup. Look at Craigslist as well. Won't cost anything to look! Good luck.

katier825

The viking sapphire is a nice machine. You can get the lower end model for under $1000. It's got a 9" throat area, which is great for quilting. Lots of decorative stitches. I have the 830, which is the previous model and I love it.