TanyaL

Best for the money is a used mechanical machine. I would suggest an old Singer - a 201.

cjr

FW are perfect but not always available cheap. my first backup portable is a Janome 3180 that I purchased at Hancock fabrics for $99. That was all i could afford at the time. Hancocks puts them on sale regularly, I've seen it as low as $89. Good Luck.

By the way mine has fallen off a snack a few times, the only injury was the spool holder fell off. Mine came with a 1/4" seam foot.

costumegirl

Wow! This is a timely post!!! Boonedox - I'm sure that you will probably like either a FW or a 301 because they are so portable.

This morning, I stopped in at our local sewing machine techy to see if he happened to have a 301 for sale. I want to get one to take to classes and for travel. I have ready been searching for awhile through the thrift/collectibles stores along with watching the internet ads for awhile. He said that he has too many machines of all types in his personal collection and has been thinking of selling off some and reorganizing his stuff. I gave him my number and will hear from him in a few days. I really hope he gives a reasonable price so that I can be sewing on one soon. I already have a FW and she is in near pristine condition so I want to use her less often so that she stays that way - guess I can be a bit of a purist when it comes to vintage machines.

Does anyone have suggestions as to any particulars that I should be on the look out for and which of the 301s are more sought after?

quilts4charity

I think any straight stitch only machine will work...I have several and they all do great!

Boonedox

Would the Janome HD1000 be a wise choice as a back up? I will keep my eyes open for that 301. Thanks

sewplease

I believed I tried that one out once at my LQS and was pleasantly surprised at how sturdy it felt. I also think that Leah Day had a favorable review on this one a year or two ago.

sewplease

OK, I found the link and wasn't actually dreaming! http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...e-hd-1000.html

There's other stuff in the article, but near the end she adds, "Now as for the machine! As I said earlier, I'm really loving this little machine! While Josh is hoping I'll sell each machine in the review before buying the next one, I don't think I can part with this one. It takes the same bobbins as the Horizon so I think it's going to make a great little workshop machine, something I can tote around town with no problem."

Sounds like a good endorsement to me! :-) Laura

sewplease

Here's the link where she has a video review of the Janome HD1000. http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...e-program.html

ghquilter53

We sell something called an Easy Anlger that is placed on your machine at our quilt shop. It solved my quarter inch problem with one of my machines. It's about 10 dollars if I remember right.

happyquiltmom

My Featherweight sews the best straight seam of all my machines, but the 401 does a good job, too. As you can see by my signature, I love the vintage and antique models. I wouldn't have a modern machine, even if you gave me one!