Chasing Hawk

My husband picked out one of my machines. I use it all the time. It is a Brother SQ9000 from Wal Mart and it costs $199.00. It is a really nice machine it comes with all kinds of feet and stitches.

http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewin...0#.UAWs0_Wp3Is

I just googled it, some places it goes for $169.00.

Sewnoma

I'm yet another one with a Brother CS6000i. It's a pretty good machine for everything but large quilts. It's REALLY light, which is nice sometimes but when I quilt it tends to scootch away from me - put a rubber pad (shelf liner style) underneath to fix that if you get one! I mostly use my new Janome now, but whenever I have a guest come over to work on stuff or take a machine somewhere I grab my Brother. So far zero problems with it, even using cheap thread. Probably won't last forever, but didn't cost much either.

mom-6

I am not aware of a good sewing machine repair person in my area, so I'm wondering if you have one where you are. If there is one close by, then you should definitely have your current machine checked out to see if it's problems can be repaired easily and inexpensively. But if it will not be cost effective to fix it, then by all means find another machine.

Cheap is not always bad. Before I got my Featherweight I had decided that if any machine I got was only going to last a short time (the experience I was having back in the late 90s and early 2000s) then I would just get the cheapest one I could find and replace as needed.

Over the years I've had good machines and not so good machines that were in the $100.00 and under price range. Some were bought at yard sales (mostly the not so good ones!), others at Walmart. My most recently purchased one was a Brother that was the least expensive one Walmart had at the time - $69 on sale. Did not give me any trouble in the 3 years I had it. I passed it on last year to a friend who did not have a machine as I was using my Featherweight most of the time anyway.

Like you I would eventually like a machine with at least some of the bells and whistles, but for now, I don't really need it. Good luck with your search.

AshleyR

Sometimes you might get lucky on Craigslist. I've seen all kinds of machines and all kinds of prices. I got a "newer cheap" Brother for $7.50 off CL and I've seen machines I wouldn't want in my house for several hundreds (nasty rusted boat anchors!!).
Believe it or not, I've had the best luck with machines at pawn shops and estate sales. The last machine I bought was from a pawn shop: a Necchi for $15. But I got a Pfaff at an estate sale for $50 that just sold on ebay for $200! I was shocked! I wish I could find out how much they cost 30 years ago when they were new! Sounds like I sold my machine on ebay, but I meant someone else sold the same kind for $200!
It would have to be a pretty special machine for me to buy it from a thrift store. I only see the "This is old, so we want $100 for it" ones there. And I'm thinking, "wow, someone GAVE that to you!" and I assume that something is wrong with it, which is why they donated it. The one time I did buy one, it didn't come with the foot pedal. I gave it to a co-worker and she bought a pedal for $20 or so, so that worked out well.
If you're wanting to quilt anything larger than a pot holder (tongue in cheek there!), look for one with a little more throat space. My Pfaff has 7.5 inches from needle to arm and 5 inches up the arm! It makes a big difference from my 6x5 Janome ($40 from a pawn shop!!).
good luck!

namom5

I have a Brother 6000i and LOVE IT. It is my travel machine as it is light weight and sews great/decorative stitches, and I have complete a quilt with FMQ on it. i also have a Baby Lock Quilt Quest and like sewing on the little brother much better.

quiltingcurious

If you have an old Singer, you might check this section 'For Vintage and Antique Machine Enthusiasts', here on the Quilting Board, as there is help for tension, timing, replacing motors and even quilting issues using older machines. I have a Singer 301 and there are a few people who use their 301's to FMQ. There are other models and brands too.

carolaug

many times sewing machines work great...its something we are doing wrong...many are touchy with bobbins, thread types, many just need a good cleaning and oil...before you spend money...tell the folks here what is happening..I have a brand new machine all kinds of issues...come to find out most of the issues were me...this group was a life saver!

carolynjo

I would get someone to look at your machine and check the tension, etc. Have you oiled it recently ? Older machines usually have pretty, even stitches and are great work horses. Maybe it just needs some TLC. Or, get a friend to check it out for you. I have found several old Singer machines for $25.00 at thrift shops and they have sewed really well.

vintagemotif

If you live in the Sacramento Ca area, you need to contact Mizkaki, Cathy, here on the QB. She will not only fix your machine but fine tune it for FMQ.

Now if you don't live in that area or close, then you might consider just straight stitch quilting. You state that the machine works great for piecing. If so, then it should work well for straight stitch quilting. There are many very pretty quilts that are not FMQ, and not all quilts need to be quilted with a FM design.

Also, are you spray basting the quilt? I have found that if I spray baste the quilt then the machine produces skipped stitching. So, I don't do that anymore. I now just hand baste or pin.

Good luck!

Holice

i woud look for a good used machine and say away from the "cheap" machines. In class they don't always work satisfactorily. My local qullt shops has some good ones at reasonable price. Other shops may also. In my opini the newer cheap models just don't perform adequately for what you will want to do.