bjdemir

I have been using Pfaffs for the the last 25 years. Traded in my first one about 3 years ago for the one I have now. My daughter has my 2nd one. But try out several before you decide.

Honey

I started out with a $99 Singer that my DH bought for me the year we got engaged. I used it for 20 years and I can tell you that thousands of yards of fabric went through that machine as I made most of the cloths for our 4 kids and myself. That is to say nothing of the quilts. When I first upgraded, I got another Singer and I was sorely disappointed in it. Then I bought a used Viking Fresia 415. It was only a year old and I got it for $500. It is the greatest machine. It is easy to use and sews like a dream. Very quiet and smooth running. If and when I upgrade again it will be to another Viking. I got mine at my lqs who is also a Viking dealer. Maybe you could check out some of the dealers in your area. All of the used machines that she sells are trade ins on an upgrade and are gone over with a fine toothed comb before she resells them.

kglascock

HiRachel,
I will agree with what others have said. Go to a dealer and try them out. Dealers (if they are good) give free how to classes with the machines and can also help you if you have a prolem later on, usually right over the phone. I know my husqvarna dealer is that way. Dealers also have specials/sales quite frequently or even used ones that have been traded in. I personally only 4 Husqvarna machines, 2 fancy ones with embroidery (they were both used and traded in for newer models) a small basic one without a lot of bells and whistles but a great machine and a mega quilter with frame. Husqvarna, Phaff, and Janome are all owned by the same parent company. I believe Singer is part of it too. You can't go wrong with Pfaff, Janome, or Husqvarna. With Husqvarna and I believe Janome(you would have to double check) the presser feet are interchangeable, meaning I just snap the foot on and off and if you have another machine of the same brand use the foot on that. On another quilting group I am part of, people raved about the Janome 6600, not one complaint. Try them out and see what feels right. By buying from a dealer, you get free education and sypport, which may even help with your Brother. Buying online is sometimes a good idea if you are already familiar with the machine. Good luck,
Kim

Rachelcb80

Thanks again everyone for your help and advice! Hubby came in last night toting a big 'ole box and I was amazed at the size of the box! I was again amazed at the size and weight of the machine. To say it's a solid piece of equipment is an understatement. I went over the manual and played with the machine for awhile (I just HAD to try out the BSR! :)) I'm a little overwhelmed but I know that's normal. Hopefully I will be able to attend the classes and get some hands on teaching about the machine. I'm a stay at home mom to three young children and my husband works out of town at times so it's questionable if I'll be able to make it to the classes. We'll just have to see this weekend when I go in to the store when the classes are schedule for.

Either way, I'm super excited and still keep looking over to my sewing table to make sure it's actually real. LoL

Thanks again everyone!

nursie76

Rachel, I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first got my 440E. I have had Nina for 6 months now and still haven't tried everything yet. lol. But I did jump in and try some FMQ with the BSR on a Christmas quilt for my hubby. It definitely was a learning experience! At first I didn't think I would ever get the hang of it, but by the end of the quilt, I was doing free hand stars in the border and it didn't come out half bad! I still have a long way to go before I am proficient at it, but it really is fun. I was told to just make a bunch of quilt sandwiches and sit down and doodle about 10 minutes every day, and as with everything practice does improve things. Enjoy your new addition to the family! When I got mine, I somehow felt that I should be handing out birth announcements! lol

kglascock

Rachel,
That is so awesome. What a nice hubby!! Congratulations and have fun. I have 4 children ages 12 yrs (in Mar) 5 1/2, 4, and 4 months and my husband is oncall regularly so I know how difficult it can be to get to go to classes. Best of luck.
Kim

Jim's Gem

Welcome to the board from Southern California!
You have gotten a lot of great advice on here. One thing that I want to stress is that it is so much better to buy from a dealer that you can take the classes from. When I bought my Pfaff 20 some odd years ago, I bought it out of town and could never take the classes. I never learned how to use all the features of the machine. A couple years ago I bought a Bernina, love my machine, and even though I did not buy from my local dealer, I took classes at the local shop, which is less than a mile from my home. If I ever have any questions they can answer them because that is the machine they carry and service.

Just read that you go the Bernina. If you can, make sure you get to the classes and learn what all your machine can do!!!

pittsburgpam

I got a Viking Sapphire a year ago that replaced a 20 year old Kenmore. The Kenmore worked just fine, as far as I was concerned, since I didn't know any differently. After using the Viking I wouldn't want to go back. The SPEED!! I had to turn it down to Slow until I got used to it. It's smooth and quiet, has needle up/down, Fix (but not an automatic thread cutter). Just has everything I need for piecing and it was $1000. I haven't tried quilting on it but it has the auto sensor for thickness and the stitch advisor to tell you the recommended needle, foot, etc.

It's a great machine IMO.

SandyE

I have a Janome 6600 and absolutely love it ... It is great for quilting. I wouldn't have any other machine - no matter the price.

Jamie

What I have learned is that you don't need a fancy expensive machine to do some of the most beautiful quilting out there. Any machine will do, the magic is in you. Now having said that, i had gone through multiple machines, even Brother I had gotten at a craft store. I eventualy ended up with a Babylock...quilting/embrodery machine. I got mine used at a sewing machine shop, I think we paid $400 for. She has a touch screen, and 100's of different patterns, and stiches, and all this crazy stuff, but to be honest with you the only thing I Ever use is the straight stich..All of my quilting needs can be done with it.