No, not at all. Only that it doesn't have 3000 stitches, when for quilting, you will generally only use the straight stich. There's a reason that long-arm machines only have straight stitching capabilities.

I love my Husquarna sewing and embroidery machine. I have used the embroidery to do the quilting on a finished quilt. Wouldn't trade it for any other.

You could get a Bernina that has been traded in from a dealer. I saw a used 200E/730 at my dealers for $3,250 yesterday. I am a quilter and that is one of the machines I own. As a bonus, it is a machine embroidery sewing machine too.

You could also get a used Bernina that is made for quilting only for a heck of a lot less. I wouldn't trade my Bernina for anything.

Janome Professional I love mine

Ditto! Got one and love it!

I love my Viking. I have used the Espire and loved that too. Check them both out before buying one, especially for that money, remember you're going to have it forever.

I recently purchased a Janome Horizon 7700. It's new so they aren't discounting the price yet, and I paid 2999.00. I just quilted a queen size quilt in no time at all. The 11" throat makes it a breeze. It also has more decorative stitches than I'll ever use and it also does small letters in 3 different fonts. it came with 17 different feet, but I've only used the walking foot which trugged across my thick batting without a cough or a wrinkle. I still have much to learn about it but so far I love it. Definitely check this one out before you buy.

I'd love to have a newer Pfaff that was lighter than my 1222E Pfaff, sweet machine, but much too heavy. I also have Berninas along with a new Viking with all the bells and whistles. But none of those have the IDT that the Pfaff does.

Wait for a great sale and your should be able to get a Bernina Aurora 430 I really like mine and had opportunity to practice on a friends . Make sure to try all you can before you decide. Enjoy !

I agree! I got my Expressions 4.0 with the larger neck area, auto cutter, knee lift, needle up and down and midway. Lots of feet, 220 stitches. all for $1999 and that was with their $500 off sale and my broken machine for another $500. Plus they threw in the acrylic table surround and extended warranty. Good deal I thought and I am just so happy with the new machine. This machine is the top of the line before you go into the expensive embroidery machines. :thumbup: Jan

I would get the Janome7700 Horizon.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

I bought a sweet sixteen bernina and its' last years model but I love it andit was in your price range

I second Melinda's thoughts. See what the Babylock Serenade offers. When these come out, the Quest Plus may be available for less. I just bought one for $1300, and I've read of them for as low as $1000. Try to get the kit of 9 extra feet. I didn't :( The Pfaff Smarter looks quite similar, but with auto cut, low bobbin warning, electronic tension and famous Pfaff feet. The Janome 6600 is also similar, and older. It doesn't have a free arm. It has a proven record of dependability and loyal users. The Janome Horizon has THE longest harp-11"! and the most features for $2300-$3000, but some machines have been troublesome. I might upgrade to it in a year or so, when the bugs are gone, hopefully. Elna has the 740 Xcellence, similar to the Horizon, but it's not clear to me if it has the APC, or automatic conversion to single hole plate. It's new, so the first model caveats apply. Bernina machines in your price range do not have anywhere near a 9" throat, but their owners love them anyway. The Pfaff QE 4 ($2000-2500)has some who love it, but apparently some lemons, too. Mostly, you need to decide if you want certain features like IDT/ Accufeed or if a walking foot is ok for you. The brother Laura Ashley ($2500) machine and Babylock Symphony are loaded with great stitches and feautures, but don't have the integrated dual feed. They also seem to have good histories.

I also have the Brother QC1000 and use it almost every day. I love it and it has far more functions that I will ever use. It was right around $2000.

I would get quotes from each vendor and then barter a little. Because of the economy they are able to deal a little bit more than usual.

I am a Bernina person through and through. I'd go that way. They are very user friendly. I would be sure to get the needle up/down option and the hands free pressure foot system for sure. They are something I wouldn't want to do with out. When I use my featherweight, I miss both of those features, and catch myself trying to use them. The needle up/down also amost assures you that you will never unthread your needle when you start sewing. Have fun with what ever you buy. It's always exciting to get a new machine. Oh, yes, make sure you get a dealer that will support you with knowlege, service, and lessons. Very important!!

I have a decorators choice and love it!!

janome has that new sewing machine, really neat, lots of options on it, it's called the 7700. if i could afford it, i'd have that one.
donna

Of course, you should sew on all your finalists, get classes included if buying from a dealer, and HAGGLE! It's hard for us Americans, but I learned in Africa, and it works here too. I got my BL Quest Plus for $300 less than the originally stated price, with little effort, and then got a few extras included. I wished I'd had pushed harder. We are so programmed to be polite, to our detriment sometimes. I also wish I had seen the Smarter by Pfaff before I bought. I don't know when the Serenade is coming out, and I'm having fun now, so that's okay. The janome 7700 Horizon or Elna 740 Xcellence might be my next step, but not first run machines. If I was after a straight stitch only machine, I'd look at Jukis for $600-900. I dont know a thing about Vikings, but some quilters love those too. After just a month with my BLQP, I now must have Integrated dual feed, knee lifter, 9+" harp, needle up/down button, lock stitch button, snap on feet, and cute stitches. This after 20 years with <10 stitches, and auto-nothing!

The best one that I have found is the Brother that I have. It has a 9" throat (I know some are bigger now), and a very flat, wide bed area. It came with two extension tables and has a telescopic arm for the thread holder. I can adjust the pressure and height of the needle, it has a side loading bobbin and the needle threads from the LH side. The quilting stitch is very nice as it is a dedicated straight- stitcher only. It was $1,000.00 and I think it is my best machine, even though I paid $10,000.00 for another brand that doesn't work.

I spent $999.00 on my Brother NX650 and it has been worth every dime. It comes with a knee lift, quilting and free motion feet, (plus many others) automatic threader, needle up, needle down buttons, and best of all, a 17" table! It even has three alphabets to embroider. A good SOLID machine. I've never had to take a Brother Machine in to be serviced or repaired, if that means anything. Good luck and enjoy shopping. :thumbup:

Go to Sew and Save in Westerville and see what you like .

I love my Pfaff too; Pfaff 2170.

My pfaff is my favorite!

I'm with the Janome 6600 girls. Bought it one year ago and absolutely love it. I sold my Bernina 1100 and updated to the Janome. It has so many great features for quilting. I guess all the new ones do. My best friend has the Babylock Espire and the two are alot alike.

I have a Babylock Quilter's Choice and love it. I also have
the Ellure. I would love to upgrade to the Symphony.
I have had my Quilter's Choice for a couple years and have
not had a minutes trouble out of it and if I did it was the operators fault (mine)

Brother has nice machines with the wide arm - double lites, easy to use. Enjoy mine.

Sandyl, I have a Husqvarna Designer 1 for sale for $2000. I just measured it and from the needle over it's 7.5 inches. The machine has been sewn on for 69 minutes. It has software (never installed)and an embroidery unit that hasn't been used. Pretty quilts can be made with embroidered centers. Machine cost $5800 when bought.

which kind of brothers do you have

I don't think Janome has a wide enough throat. I hope you find what you want and please keep us posted. I doubt I would ever have that amount of money to spend on a machine of my choice, but it's fun to dream!!

Why are you selling it?

you better add about 3,000 more!

you better add about 3,000 more!

Ditto, Ditto!

i have the janome 6600 and it has a 8-3/4" throat. and i know the janome 7700 horizon has more than that but i'm not sure exactly how much more.

I have a husquvarna Sapphire 870 I love!!!

I have a cheaper model, but it's throat is about half that! I dislike that part so much. Wonder if I could trade up for one. That would be a wish for the money! LOL!!

I have a Husqvarna Sapphire 875 Quilt machine. Bought in Sept. for $2200. 10" between the needle and the body of the machine. That large space plus some of it's other features where what made me pick this machine. Bernina will not have that large space between the needle and the body - no matter which model you pick. Plus Bernina's prices are much more than other companies. For sure bring fabric and thread you'll be using along with you to try out the different machines and just sit there and try out some different things. Try fmq on a sandwich you bring along.

yes,definitely try out a lot of brands..i used to go on saturdays when i worked and i must have tried at least 8 different machines...went back several more times..then spent a few more months thinking about it and finally made my decision..a bernina that i oh so love..since you may have cash in hand dont get too excited or you may be sorry..also at quilt shows you can get great deals..have fun with it..

The new Janome Horizon is around $2500 - $3000. I bought one in August and love it. It has a wider and deeper throatplate, has lots of great features. Go to their website janome.com and check it out. I have had Berninas for the last several machines. I still like them and they are very good machines but I love the features on this Janome.