I was thinking a vintage machine too. I have a Singer 15-91 for my FMQ. The newer Brother machines are great too, (I have one from Costco for about $200) but the throat is only 5 1/2" wide. I can easily quilt a lap quilt with it, but a full-size-- not so much.

I have never seen one at Walmart, or anywhere for that matter, with a throat that size for $200. What machine do you have? I have a Brother XR3420, from Costco for about that price, and it's throat space, from the right of the needle to the pillar, is 5 1/2" max. Brother does make a quilting machine with a 9" throat, the Brother PQ1500SL, but it's something like $700 on Amazon.

I have a Brother Innovis 570Q and with the needle in far left position it is 8" to pillar. I paid $800 from a dealer. It is a good machine but for the price I wish I would have done better research. Just my 2 cents worth.

I was thinking Singer 15-91 too. You can probably buy one on one of the lists for $100.00 or the last day of an estate sale for $50.00. It drops it's feed dogs. You can't kill it with a stick. It's supposed to be the best for FMQ.

I know nothing about Kenmores. However, you can search google with "Kenmore 158.***" and click on images to get an idea of what you're looking for. Most people don't know what model machine they have, so you'll need to know what you're looking for.

When you're deciding, be sure and pay attention to the size of the harp area.

bkay

For that price range a vintage machine is the best option. And there is a bonus. When you can buy your dream machine the vintage will make an excellent back up machine. The quilt as as you go method where you quilt in section or in blocks then put the quilted pieces together to make the quilt will be excellent for you to do on any machine. Also the rag quilt is easy to do on any machine.

Ask at GoodWill & Thrift Shops. They often get lots of sewing machine and sell them reasonably. Just be sure to try them out to be sure they work good before you buy.

I bought a Singer heavy weight sewing machine from Joanns with a 40 or 50% coupon a few years ago when I started sewing. It is a great machine and I also learned to FMQ with it. EZ to use and I still use it as a travel machine. It was under $200.

Why not put the word out at your church? I know too many people who bought or were given a machine thinking that they were going to learn to sew/quilt and now years later have "new" machines sitting in closets.

JANOME 8077 IS ON SALE.....WAS 500, NOW 349 WITH BONUS QUILTING ATTACHMENTS AT KEN'S SEWING CENTER. HAS 6.2" HARP SPACE. 29.99 PER MONTH zero interest. Check it out free shipping. Great dealer. No tax. DO NOT BUY ANY MACHINE FROM WALMART...NO SERVICE OR ANYONE TO ASK QUESTIONS. Kenssewingcenter.com

Many in my guild have the new Eversewn machines. They are great. There are several models to choose from. Amazon has the prices listed. Starting at $159 to around $600. My favorite is the Sparrow 30. It has every feature of the very high end machines. Eversewn is engineered the same as Bernina. The quilt shop here that sells them said they have not had one brought in for needed repair except user error.