ArlaJo

I love my Viking Mega Quilter. It's 6 years old and it only has straight stitch but its my workhorse. I also have the Viking Platinum 955E that is great for embroidery but I don't like it for sewing. My DH is buying me a Viking Tribute tomorrow.
I have wanted it since it came out and its now on sale. If anyone has one I would like to know what you like or don't like.I cannot wait for morning.

lfstamper

I have 3 Berninas and love them all. all I had a Kenmore before these and did not know how great a machine could be. Well worth it if u can afford it.

psquared52

YES YES and YES. I am pretty thrifty and always chose the lower end of products for my own use. Finally decided I was worth it and yes, I could afford it so I bought a high end machine. I never once regretted that decision. I sewed a lot on that machine which was a real workhorse. After 5 years, I bought another real high end machine. Felt like I'd outgrown my previous machine. Again, no regrets. I sew every single day. I would certainly spend the money again.

bobquilt3

I've had them all. Started with aSinger 60years ago. Went to a Kenmoore that was a real work-horse. Then it was on to Janome, Viking, bernina and I think there may have been a baby lock surger in the mix. Most were high-end machines. I now have a Bernina 720. (Have a Janome 300E for labels and stuff.) I traded in 3 machines, got a good price and it was still more than I ever paid for a machine. Is it worth the money? I doubt it. Why did I buy it? I am a gadget person and this Bernina dealer is close, honest, fair and extremely helpful. Of course you can sit right down and sew and do wonderful things But there is a huge learning curve if you want to get the very most out of them. I continue to take classes on the different feet and ways of using the 720. They are informative and stimulating and as a widow of 81, I can use these things. I make only quilts now and for piecing and quilting, I loved my old Viking Saphire but wasn't thrilled with the dealer. IMHO, think of the features you want, find a dealer you like, test drive all that you can and go with the best you can afford.

quilterpurpledog

When I finished college ever so many years ago I purchased a Singer 401 with a desk cabinet. I have used it for 50 years. I inherited a Featherweight from my MIL and use it in our camper or to take to classes. I also have a Bernina 1130 that I have used for 30 years-I got it the first year they came out. All that being said I like top of the line machines and feel that they are worth their weight in gold because of reliability. I love my machines and use them a lot-like daily. Some days I think it would be nice to have a new machine-just to have a new machine. If I did do that I would certainly go for one far enough the line to be good to do quilting wonderfully well. My daughter-in-law has one of the inexpensive Singers (made for the Walmart crowd) and it is nothing but a headache. I taught a grandson to sew on my machines and he loves to sew-but he hates his mom's machine because of the problems. That being said, go for the best you can afford. You may not use all the bells and whistles but you could if you had the desire.

Boonedox

Congratulations on your retirement! Can you tell me more about your 8900, have you done any FMQ with it yet?

toolazy

I think it depends on what you want to do. Some years back I got a Pfaff (higher-end than anything I'd had). I like the dual feed and use that a lot but I've not had occasion to use any of the special stitches, buttonholes, etc. on it. My workhorse is an old Singer 301A -- we have two in this house and you can't beat 'em for straight stitching and ease of use.

Reba'squilts

My diamond was expensive. It is my favorite one to quilt on. Plus I like to do machine embroidery. Viking has come out with the Diamond Deluxe. If I could afford it I would trade up. ( I can't!!!). I did embroidery on it during a class to introduce it. I could not tell which side was the front. That said....mine is still wonderful.

#1piecemaker

I've never owned an expensive machine until I got my longarm. Still have my old Brother for pieceing and binding. I did upgrade the old Brother and I absolutely hate the computized model. I have more trouble out of it than I ever did the cheapo one.

pumpkinpatchquilter

I want to just add to this - I do a lot of free motion quilting on my sewing machines and it IS worth it to get something industrial like a Juki if that is you goal. I am just burning my machines out and at this point, because I long arm quilt too, they don't keep up with me! Juki's actually stitch more stitches per minute than my long arm, so for projects I want to free motion I do want a higher end machine. But all high end machines are not made equally, so again, much of this has to do on what you want your machine to perform.