pocoellie

I have an Elna 7200 Quilter's Dream, along with quite a few others, but this is my main machine.

I love everything about it, but do wish it had at least a 15" harp. LOL Really LOVE the scissors.

I paid $1000 for it several years ago. It was a trade in.

Vicki W

I love mine too, it was my gift to myself for working hard last year.

My answer to # 3.) What you don't love about it - I would like a sensor on the bobbin, to let me know when it was close to empty.

sewnsewer2

If you are just looking for a machine to quilt and straight stitch with, then I suggest a Juki TL98Q. About $800.

I have a Bernina 640 emb/sewing combo. Got a super deal on it (brand new) because I had a trade in and Bernina was offering a special and so was my shop at the time! They run about $6,000 but I didn't pay that.

The bad thing about Bernina's is that only a Bernina tech can work on it if you want you warranty to stay good. Bernina shops are hard to find. Luckily I have one close by but they are soooo slow at ordering but do have a good tech who is certified to work on Bernina's.

Also Bernina feet are EXPENSIVE!!

I heard babylock & brother are good machines. Good luck with your search.

stpatmom

I have a friend that constantly buys and sells machines. She sold me her Sapphire 870 Q at a huge discount because she just didn't think it was the machine for her. I LOVE IT!

There is one machine that she won't part with, her Husquavarna SE. If you knew how often she buys and sells, about 3-5 a year, then you would understand how great this machine must be!

gellybean402

Oops its a Viking 1+ machine

Melody

I have this exact same machine and I do love it. I can't begin to name all the great things about it. I bought it new in '06 for $1400.

Melody

Antdebby1

I have a Bernina 1090. My sister bought it for me in 1994 or 1995. I love it!! Never had ANY problem with it. Yes it was expensive, but most of the time you get what you pay for.

If my memory serves me, she paid about $1500 for it. I would never have another brand except Bernina unless it was another Singer featherweight!

Good luck in your search.

jollyquilting

I've got a new Janome embroidery/sewing machine and it is wonderful and so easy to use. I paid $1500 and felt I got my money for it. It is interchangeable with the Elna, which I also have and they are really worth the money. I also have a small Janome Gem, and the only problem I have with that machine, it works too good. Goes faster than I do. LOL

CoyoteQuilts

1.) What machine you have
A-Pfaff 7570 (embroidery, but only do my piecing on it now),
B-Brother 2003D which I only do embroidery with.
C-1941 Featherweight
2.) What you love about it
A-the IDT--dual feed and some of the fancy stitches are my favorite.
B-never use it for piecing, just the embroidery in the blocks
C-the stitches are fantastic, easy to transport
3.) What you don't love about it
A-heavy, afraid computer board will fry and they don't make them any more.
B-takes up to much space....
C-nothing...
4.) How much you paid for it
A-Pfaff 7570 can be picked up between $750.00 and $1200.00. now. New they were about $5000.00
B-Second hand $500.00 because person had a Rose that she loved.
C-$100.00 for just the machine.

The best way to figure out what machine to get is to know what you want in features. Do you want scissors on the machine? How about needle down? Lots of fancy stitches or a straight stitch? Large throat? Needle threader? Walking foot--foot or built in walking foot? Low bobbin sensor? Easy button hole feature? Start stop button independent of the pressure foot?

If my Pfaff 7570 dies I will pick up another machine with the IDT (dual feed) machine. I really won't care if it is a Pfaff or a Janome. I never use all of the stitches that are on this machine, so I would only require a few. I would also like to have the built in scissors.

Good luck with your search. I know how hard it is to find just the right machine, but after you get your new baby home you will fall in love just like we all have.

Dolphyngyrl

Babylock Espire(now Symphony)
What I love about it
1.pivoting feature(presser foot raises when sewing is stopped with needle down, you can pivot fabric where you like it, just press foot pedal, presser foot automatically lowers and starts sewing again)
2. knee lifter
3. sewing without foot pedal can be done
4. AHA-automatic height adjuster( automatically detects fabric thickness for perfect tension during sewing so you get nice even stitches)
5. lots of accessories including 3 FMQ feet, straight stitch needle plate, large quilting table, cone thread stand, and a walking foot
6. lots of decorative stitches & satin stitches
7. automatic thread cutter
8. Super easy needle threader( I swear a kid could do it)
9. bobbin winder super easy
10. stitches beautifully
11. very user friendly(directions are even on the LCD for threading and such if you don't want to get your manual out)
12. sews thick fabrics well
13. lots of work space
14. sews quietly
15. Low bobbin indicator(will let you know before you run out))
16. can save stitch patterns
17. can lock the screen so while your sewing someone can't change the stitch on accident
18. never had any tension issues
19. fabric does not get sucked into needle plate like on my other machine( has 7 point feed dogs for more accurate sewing)
20. sure there's more but only had it for a little over a year

What I don't love about it
the only thing i can think of is the lighting could be brighter, but i have an ott-lite so not an issue here, other than that not much of anything

Price paid 1800 for the machine at a dealer -came with free classes, was a quilt show model so got a good deal, barely used