Best beginner machine????
 

I am looking to buy a new machine, mostly for quilting and some crafts. I have my grandmother's older Necchi which is in ok shape but want to get MY very own first machine! I need all the necessities for a beginner (not even sure what all that is)!! I've made a few quilt tops, costumes and crafty things so I know very little, unfortunately my dear grandmother is no longer here to guide me through every stitch! I'm wanting to stay below $1500. All the online info is just confusing me more...Please HELP a girl out!!!

Newer computerized machines are not reliable like the old mechanical machines.
Be sure that you have a dealer close by to get maintenance done.
My Viking is being stubborn so Im using my old $89 Brother to sew on. The Viking was $1100.
One of the things I liked about the Viking was when you stopped sewing the foot will lift just enough to slip a piece of fabric under it. My old Brother you have to lift the lever to lift the foot.
I also love having the drop in bobbin instead of under the machine kind.
Get as large of a throat as you can. Its much easier to shove the quilt thru if you are using it to quilt a quilt.

It seems like you have done some sewing -

What is "enough" for one person, may or may not be "enough" for another person.

Way back when - before sewing machines were invented - people did lovely needlework with just a needle and thread (and fabric).

Have you gone into a sewing machine dealer yet? Try stopping by a shop or two and take some time playing with a few machines. That will help you more than anything else.

Welcome to the board. Everyone is an individual, so there really isn't a single best machine for everyone.
You can get a pretty advanced machine for the money you want to spend, so I would take it slowly. With the number of items you've made, it sounds like you are selling yourself short as to not having much experience. I would start by listing the things you wish your current machine would do: Better lighting? Self threading? Built in thread cutter? Auto Pivot/knee lift? Do you wish you had more room to stuff your project thru the machine arm? Want to do machine embroidery? What projects do you want to do in the future that you think you won't be able to accomplish with your Necchi?
If you have good sales resistance (if not bring a friend who does), take your list and go to a couple of dealers. Sometimes a machine purchase has more to do with the dealer and continuing education and support than the machine itself. If possible try different brands.
Finally, Necchi's are well built great machines. Make sure you keep it for a backup!

I've been sold on Janome machines since I sat to help someone sew on a Janome Gem Gold. It was noisy, nowhere near as quiet as the old Singer 301 straight stitch that I love to piece with, but I was favorably impressed. I decided I wanted the Gem Platinum for the needle down feature, but at that time it could only be bought from a dealer, and as most of my machines come from thrift stores, the price was a big OUCH. Since then I have picked up two of the Janome's, one given to me and one online from Shopgoodwill.com. At the price you have earmarked to spend, you could get more bells & whistles. Put some strips of fabric and thread in a quart bag and keep it in your purse or the car so that you can sew test samples when the urge strikes you. I would not tell the sales person how much you have to spend, let them work on making you a deal that you cannot refuse. For a long time Janome made the Kenmore machines and I have some of those, good machines.

Good suggestion to bring your own fabrics to test sew on.

The "sample" stuff the dealers use makes almost any stitching look good.

The vintage machines are reliable and great to have. Of course you want a new machine that is all you. I couldn't wait to start sewing on a new machine. There are so many different ones to choose from now. First the features I found I have to have on any new machine are:
Needle up/down
Needle position changeable
automatic thread cutter
knee lift
Adjustable speed control
Excellent Blanket stitch
Assortment of decorative stitches plus Fonts
Drop in bobbin

My favorite machine is a Brother pc 420 which has all these features. It cost me $250. I have Bernina, two Janomes, and a Brother 1500. I use the Brother 1500 for quilting. With your budget you can get two great machines.

Love my Brother from Wal Mart! Have had it 8 years for about $350.

I'm a Kenmore girl, they don't make them anymore but Jenome's are made by the same people. Insides are all metal, no plastics. Paid $250. for it new in 2014. I don't need a big throat because I have a HQ 16 to quilt my tops. For your budget you could get a very good machine with some whistles. Sometimes your are paying for the brand name.

Kenmores were made by different companies over the years. The first three numbers of the model xxx.xxxxx indicate who the manufacturer was.

Don't forget to check out Juki sewing machines. I love both of mine and I think you get more machine for less money than with some of the other brands.

PaperPrincess and Onebyone have given you great advice. Personally, I love my computerized Viking. It's over 10 yrs old and have never had a day's worth of trouble with it. It was not totally top of the line at the time but pretty close. I paid $1200 at the time. I did not go with the more expensive models because it did things I had not intention/desire (and still don't) to do. The model I opted for did everything I wanted/needed.

I am a spreadsheet queen. I made a spreadsheet with all the features that I wanted/needed and labeled them as such. I then let Mr. Googe guide me to various manufacturer's/models that included those features. You will have a tough time getting true local prices online. But once you have your make/model list narrowed down, definitely visit some dealers and do some test driving with your own fabrics and quilt sandwich samples if you plan to machine quilt.

Definitely keep your existing machine as a back up. There are plenty of folks here to help you if you have issues with that one.

I am a Babylock person - all my machines are Babylock. I have a dealer close so it is easy to take a machine in for service. Take your own fabric samples to sew on to test out the machines and the decorative stitches that come on that machine. Mark each sample with the name of the machine and make some notes about the machines that you liked. I like the drop in bobbin feature and thread cutting feature on my machine. Also ask about specials, such as models that have been demo machines in the store or at a recent event. Sometimes you can get a better deal on a machine and the money you have to spend will go farther.

I was going to suggest a Brother "beginner" machine for around $100+, and I will still suggest that for a light weight traveling machine, but you are looking for higher end than that.

Even so, take a look at Brother machines. Mine are all good machines, and I buy the low end machines. So far, only one has failed me, and it failed after taking a tumble from the back of the car to the ground. Not the machines fault.

Brother manuals are well written, and cover the sewing basics as well as advanced stuff. They have customer support line availability, as well.

In the end, though, you and only you can decide what is best for you. Happy hunting!

A thread cutter is an absolutely divine feature on a sewing machine. I don't know how I sewed without it! Consider throat size if you plan to use your new machine to machine quilt, as well.

I paid $329 for my Janome Magnolia 7330 back in 2009 & I really like it. I have a Singer TouchTronic that I used before the Janome. There are features that I like on my Singer & features that I like on my Janome. My Singer has a bobbin warning light that lets you know you are getting close to running out of bobbin thread & I dearly love that feature. My Janome has a needle down feature that is a fantastic feature. I also like the fact that it has a speed control so you can increase or decrease your speed depending on what you are sewing. I think the only thing I wish the Janome had was more decorative stitches. It doesn't even have the simple serpentine stitch.

I definitely agree that you should not let the sales person know how much you are willing to spend. They work off commission & will try to sell you something up to your limit. You may not need to spend that much depending on the features you want/need. Also, make sure you are close to the place where you bought it so you can go for lessons (if offered) & repair. Keep your old machine. When one machine is in the shop for repair/cleaning you will still have something to sew on.

Good luck & have fun in buying your machine. Don't feel pressured to buy the day you go look. The machine will still be there the next day.

I agree with the others. Go to a couple dealers before making a decision. It is better if you live close to one - even better. You can get nice deals on the internet, but they don't have classes. My Viking dealer gives one on one classes for as long as you need them. My Janome dealer has set classes that you can attend and a club you can join for a year. My Janome dealer will allow you to upgrade within 6 months for full value if you have the box. My Viking dealer offered me a full year. My Viking is an embroidery/sewing machine and I bought the floor model with the full warranty and saved about $1,000.00 with all the extras he included.

I had VERY basic machines before and wanted the larger throat for quilting. When the LQS that is also a Janome dealer put them on sale I decided it was time. I am afraid I have very little sales resistance but was thrilled with my purchase. Mine is the Janome MC 6600P. It came with a table it sits in and it has the attachable table if I take it somewhere.

There are so many nice machines on the market. The janome skyline, the juki QVP2000, and the brother q-series(or babylock) equivalents come to mine for your price range. The babylock jazz seems nice if you don't want computerized but want some great features. I also like viking but don't know what models are in your price range. Most of the models I have mentioned I know are getting good reviews. I have been loyal to my brand so I tend to stick with my brothers or brother made babylocks as they have been reliable to me

I was asked this question just recently by a new sewer wanting to know my advice. I told her that I love my Janome but, if my Juki died I would replace it the same day. I have to 2010Q which is a basic machine but not an all over machine. What I especially love about it is the knee lever and the cutter in the foot. I sent her to look at the smaller Juki's and if she didn't like them go to the Janome dealer.

Hands down a Featherweight 221

I do this when I go to estate sales which might be something you may want to consider. I usually take a 'layer slice of fabric (10" x 10") of denim. That way I can fold and refold to the layers I want to test. I also take extra thread. Check estate sales in your area. Many who handle the sales have websites. You can get a great deal at a super savings. Also make sure if you take someone with you they are totally on board with you and not a "I don't know why you think you need a new one" kind of person. Good luck!

If the salesperson badgers you a little about your budget (not giving it up), leave. I told them my budget and they kept wanting to go up another. One said well if you can spend this much a little more won't hurt. I left.
Never even went back into the store. I had gone in previously and not really pleasant.

You will never find a finer machine than an old Necchi. Have it serviced and keep sewing. Those are tanks! But if you need to haul a machine around there is a lot of advice for something light weight, new and expensive. A great machine is a 1980s Kenmore 12 stitcher. The 10, 6 and 6 etc from that era are nice and some are light weight. They do a variety of utility stitches. I've not seen one beyond repair and if I did, I would love to have one for parts when I do repairs. On any machine, decorative machine stitches look like they were done by machine. You can never get them to look as sweet as hand done. 99% of sewing is straight stitch. A nice treat might well be a featherweight if you have the money but that Necchi should be your prized possession. I do not love sewing on the computerized machines. I want much more control over where the needle starts and stops. I suggest you take something somewhat complicated to actually sew when you go looking. Can you make the needle go where you want and not just only where the machine wants to go when you stop. See how the machine handles with complicated project. That was when I reverted to vintage machines. The computerized start and stop drove me up the walls especially trying to turn precise corners. I couldn't make the machine stop and start as exact as on my vintage. Then I couldn't make two corners match. I can do it in a heart beat on my vintage machines. I suppose there is some setting to do that but I could not control it to suit myself. For me it is much quicker not to have to look in the manual just to do something. Much quicker to do it the old fashioned way.

Yes, you do need a list of features that you want in a machine. That is the first important step. The second is to gather together a group of fabrics that you like to use-take a variety from quilting cottons, flannels, and whatever else you might do. (I like to sew with silk, wool, etc.) Take some samples of quilt sandwiches and take different threads that you would be likely to use. I recommend that you go to dealers that specialize in specific brands. Sit with them and run your tests under their supervision. Visit several dealers. I feel that dealers who have a variety of brands and sales people who just want to sell you a machine aren't knowledgeable enough to help you buy the best machine for your needs. Keep and mark your samples carefully. Then, make your decision. Don't buy more machine features than you would use. I am a BERNINA girl but I would never buy the embroidery module because I don't want to invest in all that thread, stabilizers and software. Some people love that and it is a good investment for them. Good luck in your search.

Unless you use an embroidery machine all the time and are good at it and stock all the supplies, you might be money ahead hiring it on the occasions you need it. On the other hand if you have deep pockets or can earn some money doing embroidery for right wads like me...

Be sure to look at floor models. I bought a mid-priced floor model (Janome DC 2010) from a shop that had opened 6 months before and was selling floor models at a great price in order to be able to bring in new models. The machine was selling the week before for $599 but I came home with it, a walking foot thrown in, and a $25 gift certificate for the shop for $400. The machine has been very reliable for the past 6 years. I love it!

I had one answer in mind when I read the title, but after reading your budget there is no need to skimp. In many hobbies, sometimes people want to tell you to get a beginner machine then step up later. I will tell you that is a great way to loose money. Instead of buying one and then trading up 6 months later just buy a nice machine to begin with. I'm not telling you to go out of your budget, but buy the best machine you can within your budget.

Pricing on machines is like buying jewelry. There is a lot of wiggle room. Sometimes manufacturers give kickbacks in pricing breaks to retailers at quilt shows. Do your research before you go to the show. I've seen machines that list about $2000 that you can buy for half of that at a show.

Last year we came down to two machines. A Juki DX7 / 2000QVP (very similar machines) vs a Brother NQ1300PRW. Both machines listed at about $2000. I tried to buy the Juki but last October, the release dates just keep getting pushed back so the beginning of Nov, we bought the Brother. Paid $1249 then got a $100 rebate. http://www.brother-usa.com/homesewin...W#.VkaHsL9z31k At a recent show, saw the Juki DX2000QVP for $999: Those aren't everyday prices, you have to shop hard for those numbers but they can be achieved.

When you get down to the final two or three machines for consideration google Decision Tree Maker. I just made my own with an excel file, but basically it can help you decide what is important to YOU and it helps you make difficult decisions from a factual place and not just an impulse type buy.

In the end, the decision is yours and yours alone. It's your money, don't let some slick sales rep take it from you without a good feeling about the dealer. For me buying locally or semi locally was a big deal in my decision matrix because I wanted that support.

I think that I could write an article on sewing machine buying, but this response is already getting long. Have Fun with your buying decision.

While visiting the AQS show in DSM I took a look at the new Juki 2200 Show price was $999, the Juki 2010 is no longer made. Juki 2200 is on my wish list! Straight stitch only machine.

Try a lot of different machines at the dealers, but do NOT let them convince you that you need all the bells and whistles to start. I have NEVER used the embroidery feature or the majority of the fancy stitches. And I paid dearly for them.

At the Madison Quilt Expo the TL2200QVP standup was $7995 and the sit down was much less. We bought the sit down for $4495. The sit down has no stitch regulator and comes with a table; we did not buy any of the table extensions. It's just how my wife is use to free motion with her Brother machine but with an 18" harp space and a 10" tall throat. I just finished doing some free motion on it myself. Sweet!

Sorry to get this off topic, but I think that the original op on this thread was talking about machines in the sub $1500 street price category. So to tie this back into the original question: after you decide on which machine, a quilt show can be a great place to buy. Even though you are buying at a show, try to find someone that is within driving range to repair it and not three states away. With a longarm or midarm machine you want someone who can come to the house to fix it since it probably isn't going in the trunk to drive to the shop.

Just to clarify: there is a "mini" 2200 and a Longarm 2200.

There are three machines in the QVP line. There is not a mini 2200QVP, the mini is the DX2000QVP. It's called the mini because it is the smallest of the QVP series. There is a standup long arm with stitch regulator which is called a TL2200QVP and it comes standard with a 10' frame made by Grace and you can buy a 2' extension to make it a 12' frame. The TL2200QVP with the 10' frame was $7995 at the recent show in Madison, WI. If you wanted the 2' extension or rear handle bars that was an extra option. I almost bought that machine, but we didn't want to make room for that monster. We ended up with the TL2200QVP sitdown machine. Hopefully, I saved you two grand $$$. Keep shopping, that $9995 price is not a good one.

Did you go to the Des Moines Quilt week? I think that Friday was the last day there and I think the same vendors that were at the show in Madison were suppose to be there. Feel free to send me a pm if you have any more questions.

Edited to add one more note: There is ZERO percent financing availabe for 60 months right now even at the sale prices on the longarms. Some want to give you the ZERO percent financing but they want to sell the machine at it's normal street price. The prices I mentioned were again just a special show price, but if you hit it right, there are better deals available out there. Again, it like jewerly. The margins are bigger than you might imagine at first, but no one wants to say that out loud.

That's what I did since I had no clue about machines or what I needed. The dealers asked me what I'd be using it for and what I'd like on it. All were kind and patient. I ended up going for a Babylock Melody.

Boy, did I misread your post earlier Jo Anne. I thought that you said that you found the TL2200 QVP for $9999. I only saw an extra "9" in your number. I made a mistake by only $9000. Sometimes we see what we want to see I guess. When you said 2200, I was thinking that was the list price for that machine and not a good street price.

Apologies again.

On the DX2000 QVP. A grand is a very good price I think and I also think that is a fantastic machine. If it would have been available a year ago, we would have bought that one.

If I were you, I would not invest all my budget in one machine. I would probably try to buy a workhorse straight stitch machine similar to a Juki TL 98, 2000 or 2010. They are fantastic machines because of their reliability and stitch quality and then buy a good used high end computerized machine or a inexpensive Brother that has all the bells and whistles for crafting. That way if you are displeased with one machine choice, you may be pleased with the other. I know I sound like an investment coach, but I would diversify.

PaperPrincess and Onebyone have given you great advice.

As you can see, there are a lot of excellent machines out there and each one of us swears that their machine is the best. I am a Pfaff person myself, but I have had and sold Vikings, had Babylocks and have a featherweight. I love the IDT that Pfaff has (Integrated Dual Transportation aka built in walking foot) and would not sew without it. The real answer is that they all make (for the most part) good machines.

Make a list and prioritize it. Try out lots of machines and choose one based on features, cost and the ability to have it repaired locally if the need arises. Do not neglect to look on Craigslist - a lot of time you can find a machine locally for a good price. If you go the route of purchasing from a dealer - DO NOT hesitate to bargain. I was amazed when I worked for Viking the deals they would make. If it is not negotiable on price, they can throw in walking feet, acrylic tables all sorts of stuff! Good luck with your search.

I think making a list and knowing what you want in a machine are good places to start. Happy hunting!

Thanks for ALL the great advice! I found my dream (for now:)) machine! I appreciate all the great ideas and info on how to find exactly what I needed! Now I'm super excited to start some new projects!

Tell us which one you bought!