Is there an all purpose sewing machine in the $300-$500 range that will hold up under FMQ? Like maybe six quilts a year?

I just bought a Pfaff Grand Quilter 12oo off of Ebay for a great deal. Straight stitch only, but it sews like a dream!
K

I bought my Janome Magnolia for $399 with a bunch of feet included and it FMQs pretty well. All you need is to be able to drop the feed dogs, so you could spend even less.

Have you tried FMQ with your all-purpose machine, with a quilting/darning presser foot? I'm doing okay with mine, and the cost of the foot was all I invested to see if I would like it.

So, of course, I spent the difference on fabric. :P

My new brother was about 350 and is FMQ just fine

All my regular sewing machines will do FMQ. Can you get a darning foot for yours. Give it a try.

:-D

My 10 year old bottom of the line Pfaff (Hobby 1020 - paid $160 in 2000) just died, and I was wondering if I hastened it's demise by FMQing recently. But I didn't have a darning foot.... So I'm in the market and was wondering if I bought a Janome Magnolia or Sewist 500, or the new HD 3000 (leaning toward a mechanical machine since we move a lot and live in countries where service is an issue) would hold up to FMQ. Sounds like the Magnolia does.

Check out a Janome 6500. They are dropping in price and will be around I am betting just like the old Singers! It is a workhorse and a half and has a 9 inch harp (throat).

I have the Magnolia as well. I have FMQ'd about 10 quilts in one year (all throw size or smaller) and it has done well. I did have to have them adjust the bobbin tension when I had my one-year service. But, it is back to working like a dream.