ckcowl

if the Kenmore works fine- and you just want to do some 'basic' sewing and some quilting I would save the money for a new machine & spend it on quilting tools (mats, cutters, rulers) add up fast! and fabric/patterns to get started- you do not need a fancy machine to be a wonderful quilter! many of us do a lot of our quilting on very old straight stitch singers. if you find you start doing a lot of sewing- start getting into fancy couture (fashion) sewing you may at some point have a need for a machine with more bells & whistles- my daughter (age 37) has been sewing for her daughter's and making occasional quilts/baby blankets for years now- is still using the Kenmore that belonged to my grandmother (who's been gone for 20 years) I think it's older than my daughter- has held up very well- over the years she has purchased a couple *fancier* machines- only to not like them & return them- and pull out the old machine again.

berryberry

I have the SQ9050. It comes with 8 feet including a walking, free motion and 1/4". It has an auto threader, needle stays down so you can pivot, the feed dogs can be up or down and on the machine speed control as well as foot control. I've used it to piece blocks, I've quilted 3 quilts and made a runner. One of the quilts (twin size) had double battling. I've have no issues using the machine nor with the machine. I spent $200 and the machine has more bells and whistles than I know what to do with. Until I need more or it stops doing what I need the machine to do, I'm good. Is it a bernia? No, but it works.

I don't know what the other machine features are or what would justify the additional $200. I would not need them at this time. You are asking will you need them? Depends on what features you are particularity looking for. From what you listed as making, the SQ9050 will handle all that.

SeWnSeW69

I'm sure my Kenmore would work fine for whatever I'm actually wanting to do now. I've always had the mindset of bigger is better. I do know that that's not true though I know the PC420 has a lot more stitches than the SQ9050, a few more buttonholes, custom stitch feature, a few more feet, and a few more lettering styles. Probably nothing I'll ever need.

So, I thought I had narrowed it down between those 2 but there is another that I had looked at. It's the Brother SE400. I know that this one does embroidery and sewing. After reading through all of the posts I can find on here I do know that it only has a 4x4 hoop which limits the patterns you can get. I've never done embroidery but I would love to be able to do that also. I'm not anticipating needing any huge designs. Is 4x4 good enough for a beginner for the things like jean pockets or embroidery on quilt squares? Wal-Mart and Amazon both have those for $282.49 (regular $359). Is embroidery expensive? I've also seen where people talk about stabilizers and embroidery thread? I thought I could just use regular sewing thread. I won't have tons of money to spend on all the extras to embroidery. I thought I could just embroider directly on whatever material I was going to use without a stabilizer. As you can tell I'm totally lost and I'm sorry for throwing a monkey wrench into the mix but I truly appreciate all of your suggestions and opinions. Thanks so much

Dolphyngyrl

Yes the PC420 features justify the 200 dollar price difference. They have a nicer easier to use threader, an automatic thread cutter, a metal frame not plastic, the ability to adjust presser foot pressure, a slightly larger harp, and I think there are a couple more features but I can't remember off the top of my head but they are definitely more high end if you are looking for your main machine, however I havve the sq9050 and it is a nice travel machine for classes as well.

kay45

Sewnsew69, I have been reading all the great information the ladies are giving. I personally don't have Brother machines so really can't commit on them. The only suggestion that I have is check out the Brother dealer nearest you and see what they offer. Usually the dealers will offer classes on the machines they sell. They usually call them "owners classes" and you can always get some useful information from them about your machine. All the little "tips & tricks" about your machine. Good luck and welcome to the board. PS: let us know what you decide.

Maggieloe

I have a Viking 870 and a Brother 1500s. Viking, computerized, bells and whistles, needs to be serviced once a year (I do it less than that) at 100$ a pop. Brother is straight stitch only - which means feed dogs are close to the needle giving an excellent straight stitch and much better free motion quilting. Clean and oil yourself for free.
I got the Brother on recommendations from this board because I was so frustrated with the finickiness of my Viking and have never looked back. A real reliable workhorse, excellent stitch.
I use the Viking when I need to zig-zag, satin stitch etc. I also have used the decorative stitches for Carol Ann Waugh's "Stupendous Stitching" but the Brother is definitely my go-to machine for piecing, quilting and any straight stitching I do.
I have an old Kenmore - 45 years old, which has zig-zag, fancy stitches with cams etc. Metal, sturdy, reliable. The only reason I don't use it more is I could not get a freemotion foot for it, and it has a very small throat, relatively speaking. But give me the sturdy, basic, "self-service" machines any day.

You do want a large throat even though you say you are only doing smaller items. It makes even small size quilts easier, and you don't know where you will be going in the future.

Lyncat

You can have a lot of fun with the SE400.

happy grandma

I bought a Brother 1250D because it had the embroidery feature. I wasn't sure I would use the embroidery feature but now I am thrilled to have the option. I now include embroidery in many of my quilts. I have read a lot of good things about the SE400. You will love the embroidery feature. Well worth the price difference.

feffertim

I just recently bought the PC420 limited edition from Walmart for $399, but I believe they have it on sale right now. I am quite impressed with this machine, it has many extras that you usually have to buy separately like a walking foot and a FMq foot. It has the best needle threader I have seen, and also a knee lift which is great. It sews beautifully, is quiet and solid. I have two high end machines, a Viking and a Janome and find I use my Brother most of the time now. I bought it because I needed a light machine to take to classes as my other two are very heavy. I think it is a great machine.

ShirlinAZ

I have the Brother SQ9000 and am happy with it. But I bought it as a back up machine for when my primary machine (Pfaff QE) is tied up with fmq. I would not want to try fmq on the Brother as the throat is way too small, but it does a wonderful job with dresses for DGD and other non-bulky sewing. Buy the machine you like. If you decide you need something more you can relegate this machine to the back up position. I will never have less than 2 machines again. I sew constantly, so I move between the machines quite often. Happy sewing!

p.s. I also have the Brother PE770 embroidery only machine, and I love it.