KLO

I agree that you should buy a machine that can be serviced by someone in your gereral area ... meaning within driving distance. Personally I would not want to send my machine out for servicing but would rather drop it off at a nearby shop. It's good to meet your service person in person so you can have a nice relationship with him/her. They can give you so much information about your machine which will help you keep it in good running order. Good luck with your search and don't get too bogged down with the decision because you need to get sewing!!! Ha!

Quiltah Mama

If your name means the state of Maine, then I suggest look around in your area for what your dealers are, try some machines out to figure out what you like, then you have options of buying new or used, if you decide on used, then you have the choice of Craigslist or our Maine Bible, Uncle Henrys . There are pros and cons to both(used vs. new) You can stretch your budget further with a used machine, and once you figure out your local dealer you can buy that brand. I live about 45 miles from a Janome dealer, hence I purchased a Janome 8900 off Craigslist. I never would have been able to afford it from the dealer, but they service it for me. I don't have a warranty with my machine,which is a disadvantage to buying used, but I have it serviced yearly and have never had any trouble. Good luck in your search.

NJ Quilter

Welcome from NJ. I have no experience with the brands listed for new machines. I, too, encourage you to visit a local dealer and see what they have to offer both in the way of machines and your rapport with them. It's quite possible they have some very nice older models that have been traded in and are completely serviced. You can definitely stretch your budget with buying used.

Since you mention you've been reading the board here for a bit, take a look at some of the threads on machine features. You could do a search on 'machine recommendations' and you'll get a bazillion threads on the subject. You can see what others find 'must have' features to give you some clues as to things you may want in a machine if you are not sure at this point. If you do a search, keep in mind that we've been having a few issues lately with that function. Initially your search will have nothing but blank posts. If you hit the F5 key on your keyboard it will refresh the page and all the responses will populate.

Good luck in you machine and future sewing quests.

LilaKay

I have my Janome in for service right now and he lent me an Elna 680 to use while he works on it...I am really impressed with this machine...It is a 9mm stitch width and has some really nice quilting stitches...that said, I would buy what can be serviced in your area...my machine has to be transported at the least 2 1/2 hours away for service!

SusieQOH

Welcome to the board, Maine!
I don't have an Eversewn but if I were just starting out they look like a really nice machine. I've heard and read good things about them. They are very affordable.

SillySusan

Hi and welcome from North Carolina!

I have a Singer Heavy Duty machine that I got for $100 at Walmart a couple of years ago that does everything I ask it to do. I had much more expensive ones that were not nearly as good as this one. I would suggest that you stay at the lower end of your price range and get a good mechanical machine without the fancy zillions of features that are unnecessary.

illinois

I have no recommendation on a machine but one that does basic stitches and a decent harp space would be essential for me. My machine has a number of stitches available for use but the the ones I use most are the straight and zigzag, occasionally the blanket stitches for applique but I wish it had a serpentine stitch for "not so stitch in the ditch" quilting.

You mentioned making the weighted blankets. I've done that and recommend that you use a tightly woven fabric such as in a sheet and then a cover for that so that it can easily be laundered. Be careful that the pellets are out of the way when you begin filling the grid and stitching!

jmoore

Welcome to the QB...If I was looking for a new machine, I would be very interested in the Eversewn. They are getting wonderful reviews. If you do a YouTube search, Missouri Star Quilt Co. went through all of the Eversewns on a recent video.

SusieQOH

I wonder what people do with all the fancy stitches. I'm sure they use them although I rarely do. Just curious.

Manalto

No one has suggested a vintage machine, so I will. I recommend a pre-1960 Singer 15 or, if you don't like loading a bobbin, a 201. If you require decorative stitches, a 401. Beautiful, reliable, intuitive, built like a tank and, if you need to solve a problem with it, people here can help you.