KalamaQuilts

fun update! I always go for quality over quantity, but thats just me. I have the Janome 8900, that big harp space is wonderful with good lighting built in. If I had it to do again I wouldn't have gotten that model, I do not need the 100's of stitches, but would certainly go for the biggest harp with the other things you want. Needle up needle down #1. Thread cutters can be problems on their own so I no longer use mine, but never was in the habit anyway. My first computerized machine would sew out motif embroidery, I found it to be the most boring thing in the world, I want to be behind the wheel, so never went that route again.

Happy stitching! Happy Birthday!

SherylM

Well, we went to a Janome dealer, but he didn't have much in stock, and for some reason Janome doesn't have many models with the stitch that I want on them. So we ended up at a Baby Lock dealer and I test drove the Soprano.

Really nice...the harp space is 8.3", just over 1.5" bigger then my current machines. It also has a nice big extension table, so I have to figure out if that would be big enough for me to quilt comfortably. King size quilts will go to the longarmer, but I want to be able to do quilts that are roughly 80"x80" myself.

It has 300 stitches...way more than I'll ever use, plus some features that make me scratch my head and go "huh?"

So I'm gonna do my homework, think about it, and shop around a bit more before I decide, but I think this is the right next step for me.

SouthPStitches

SherylM, I have an Eversewn Sparrow 30 and just love it. Yes, it has a serpentine stitch. I picked mine up about 1 1/2 years ago on E-bay. Often, sewing machine dealers sell directly through there and a much friendlier price. I know I paid well under $300 for it. One thing I will point out to you or to anyone thinking of purchasing it for machine quilting. The harp is definitely on the narrow side. It is several inches narrower than my Singer. I do not machine quilt except for something small like a tablerunner so that wasn't important for me. Overall, it is a wonderful machine.

Jingle

I would look at the Jukis. I have a straight stitch only machine. throat is 9" and I make a large double quilts about 85 x 95" quilts for our bed. Not a big deal to quilt them. I don't use any other stitches. Lots of Jukis have more stitches. My machine has not been in the shop. I use it lots, just needs oil and cleaning. I have a BabyLock Jane also. Straight stitch only, 9" throat, never in the shop. I have been quilting about 53 years, made clothes before that.

Good luck picking the machine you want.

SusieQOH

Sheryl, I know how daunting finding the right machine is! Good luck and let us know what you get.

CanoePam

Look for used Berninas and Vikings too. I have a Viking Opal 650 as a travel machine. It is over your budget, but it does have a serpentine stitch, and I have learned to really love it for applying binding. I have a sit down quilter, so I don’t use any of my regular sewing machines (a Bernina 440 plus some vintage machines I only sew on occasionally) for quilting anything bigger than a table runner. I really tried to find an inexpensive machine as a travel machine to be used 90% for piecing but also for mending and home dec while in our motorhome, but they just didn’t feel as solid to me or they didn’t allow me the flexibility of stitch length/width or needle position. I got a screaming good deal on the Viking, but it definitely isn’t my 440 in quality. Then again it is quite a few pounds lighter and much easier to haul around.

SusieQOH

Ditto a used Bernina. (I've never had a Viking) They are fabulous machines. I have a new one but kept my older one. I will only part with it if my baby granddaughter decides she wants to sew someday.

SherylM

Well, after trying out that Soprano...I'm just not feelin' the love, so I'm not even going to consider that one. However, I came across a Janome 6550 on YouTube and oh my goodness...my heart started beating fast! It's a semi-industrial - has an aluminum bed and frame, a tensioner I can adjust myself, a 10" harp space, and most important...the serpentine stitch!

It sells for $1600.00, which is a lot more than I wanted to pay, plus it's an on-line only model, so if it needed repairs I'd have to send it back to wherever I got it. I called the sewing machine guy I use to see if he would be able to work on it, and he said no, not without invalidating the warranty.

So then I came across the Janome 6700P, which is an upgrade from the 6550. That one made the heavens part and the angels sing! It has an 11" bed and the extension table and knee lift lever come with it, in addition to numerous different feet. I feel like it was made for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3KJ2YfgR_s

I called a different Janome dealer and they don't have any in stock, but they can order it. Plus they offer an extra 3 year warranty with it. Their sale price right now is $2200.00. Ouch. But we're going to the dealer's today to talk to them about it and get some questions answered. It will probably be a couple months before we can actually buy it, but that's fine.

Does anyone here have that one? I'd love to hear about it.

KalamaQuilts

My Janome dealer offers 3 year no-charge tune up too, with the purchase of a new machine, ask about that. $165.00 each, quite a savings, and well worth it.

SherylM

Yes, that's a good thought. I'll ask about that.