hray

On another recent thread, it was mentioned that when machine shopping you need a list of your "must have" features, and then consider your "nice to have" or "can live without" features.

I'd love to hear which features are peoples' favorites. I'm not in the market for a new machine at this time, but maybe it will help others.

When I bought my current machine (Brother VQ-3000) I knew I had to have

• needle up/down
• real automatic needle threader
• large throat space

I wanted to have

• thread cutter

I was surprised at how much I love to use

• knee lift
• laser guide line (no more drawing diagonals on squares)

SallyS

In addition to what you've already mentioned hray,

Good lighting under the harp
Easily installed walking foot
Easily accessible back stitch button
Good, even fabric feed so top layer doesn't feed faster, creating excess at end of row
Automatic stitch ripper -- sure!

Julienm1

Cute tech when machine needs tune up!
Magnetic wand to retrieve wayward pins on the floor.
WAIT~~~~ Are these supposed to be REAL features on a machine?

QuiltE

That'd sure be an amazing feature!



Of course they are!!!!

I have a magic wand!! ...... one of those extension pen size magnets.
Picks up a whole bunch of pins with ease!
Best $ $tore find ever!!

toverly

The knee lift and the thread cutter in the foot are my favorite in my Juki.

LAF2019

i love my start/stop button. I didn't think it was a big deal when my machine came with it, but I have never used my foot pedal at all since i got it!
a decent sized extension table is nice, too.
a hard shell carrying case is a bonus, but not a necessity.

aashley333

I like my automatic stitch choices. I also like having my machine in a sewing cabinet. They're both about 40 years old and going strong!

sandy l

The most important things that I don't want to do without are the up-down needle feature, the thread cutter, and a large sewing bed. A lot of other things are nice to have but are kinda like "frosting on the cake"

Stitchnripper

When i wanted to learn free motion for real I wanted a high shank machine with a lot of space. And needle down. And for it to be non finicky and sturdy. I have the Brother PQ 1500 and it is just right for me. Really is a limited frills machine. I rarely use the thread cutter, never use the knee lift, and added a strip of LED lights. It sits in an arrow table and I have no complaints. I have other machines if I want a fancier stick or a button hole.

Jordan

I love my walking foot that is attached and all I do is put the foot on and bring down the attachment and click it on. I also love my threat cutter. I bought my machine used and it had an auto needle threader but it has never worked so I guess that wasn't a "need" item.