AliKat

I agree with Deborahlees. Do look at used machines at your local dealers. Also let it be known you are looking when you go to your quilting groups/classes.

I found my Featherweight in an estate sale, so I encourage you look at garage/estate sales, taking some thread and material with you to check out the machines.

ali

Tashana

I am watching a few Singer model 15, Singer featherweight, and it's bigger sister 301 on line (eBay). I will not buy them all but they are all very good machines and all are currently waaaay below your budget. I had singers my whole life(I still have all of them) and they never let me down. The new ones are junk. They are cheap, plastic and disposable. You can not go wrong with oldie but goodie. One day when you budget is higher you can always get another machine, the modern type. Market for old Singers will always be there if you decide to sell it. This time though, I would buy a real Singer. The old ones that I have came with many attachments and with my luck they are interchangeable. Happy hunting!

pinkyrue01

That sounds very reasonable. I will check that one out. Thanks!

Deborahlees

I would not recommend buying a used sewing machine on ebay, unless the seller lived down the street, backed the machine with a return policy.....

Dina

My machine has a drop in bobbin, and I don't mind it at all. In fact, I like loading it better than my older machine, as there is only one way the bobbin will fit. I was always getting that bobbin in backwards before! Anyway, just letting you know that not all of us hate a drop in bobbin.

Dina

Prism99

I would recommend against a Bernette. I'd buy a Walmart machine before I'd buy a Bernette (and I *love* my aging Bernina 1230!).

Dolphyngyrl

These are brothers only higher end offered online in your price range, and it gets awesome ratings, I have had only brother/babylock for the past 20 years, Had 3 that were cheaper than this and they served me well, this one has less plastic and is more durable
http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Limite...sewing+machine

if not this one I would look at juki's

Deborahlees

I could not agree more....I did some extensive research yesterday and this is the exact model I came up with. Free shipping from Amazon.....I think you will be very happy with this machine. I have owned 2 Brother machines, they are simple to use and understand, very straight forward. You can order parts either on ebay, amazon or direct from Brother. Brother is great with customer service on the phone or interent.

pinkyrue01

Thank You! I will check it out!

pinkyrue01

Well, I looked into the Brother PC-420 PRW and the Janome HD1000. I like both but the Brother is at the very top of my budget and I would want a couple of extra accessories to add to it. I really like the Janome, but it does not have an option to change the needle plate to a straight stitch plate. I have read that when straight sewing if you are using a zigzag plate that the wide opening can draw fabric down into this. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this.