I have a new Viking Sapphire and a Janome 6600, but what do I use the most? My 201 and 301.

Definately use that 201! There is a place here on the group that deals with these vintage machines & you can find info on getting her set up and running perfectly! And for $1,000.00 you should be able to find an excellent machine for making quilts & general sewing. I paid under $400.00 for my Brother Embroidery/sewing machine at Walmart over 5 years ago...I use it only for sewing now & it's great. Go to the different websites for machines & look at the options they provide. You want sturdy & the option to drop the feeddogs...and find one with a few decorative stitches..just in case you want to play.

You can get a nice machine for under a 1000. Don't buy something you don't really need, unless you want a zillion bells and whistles. My most expensive is a Singer Futura with software. 850.00.

If I had a $1000 budget I would get a juki f600 or a pfaff ambition 1.0. I have a brother pc420 that I love but my favorite machines are my singer featherweight for piecing ($200) and my singer 15-91 (free as it was my grandmas, easy to find under $100) for free motion quilting.

I spent just that...$1,000 two years ago for a gently used Janome 6600p from a dealer. I absolutely LOVE it and wouldn't trade it for the world.

I agree with the above. In fact, I " loaned" my Bernia Artista 180 to my sister because she wanted to do some fancier stuff and I am totally happy with my vintage machines.....I don't think anything is better than the 201 for piecing.....I have a Pfaff Grand quilter to do my quilting (mid arm)

I had a Singer Confidence and it sewed great over bulky seams. Have you oiled and cleaned it? A new needle?

I found that when I cleaned and oiled her she purred like a kitten. I had to go slow over the bulky seams and use a sharp needle.

Here's some info on the Singer 101:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t120091.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BHhWP8EhRY

I think that salesperson was doing a number on you - I spent $1500 on a machine that lasted me for almost 25 years before it just DIED! I used it as a trade-in on another used one that I still have had for the past 6 years. There are so many nice machines out there for less than $1,000. Heck, I would even sell you my Pfaff for less than that - it's the used one I bought 6 years ago - I use it for classes and going to quilt at my local quilt shop - I won a Janome 6600 several years ago and that is my main machine at home - but it encouraged me to buy a smaller Janome for our beach house so I could use the same bobbins - I paid less than $500 for that machine and I LOVE IT!

I believe that someone was trying to make a big fat commission. I was in your shoes about 5 months ago. There are alot of good machines you can find for $1000 or less. I bought a brand new Babylock Seranade for just over a $1000. I love it. Has lot's of bells & whistles. BUT, whatever you decide to do, it has to be what fits you & what you want & need. Do your research, try lot's of machines & you will KNOW when you have found the right one. Good Luck on finding THE ONE!!!