I have the Babylock Quest Plus with the built in dual feed (like Pfaff), great lighting and a 9" harp. I have a few other machines including a Viking SE with a walking foot. I much prefer dual feed over a walking foot. I'm a new quilter and I never get a pucker. I would buy it again. It came with numerous feet & a set of quilting feet, so there was no added expence.

I am just hooked on Janomes. I also have an old Kenmore that was made by Janome and the stitch quality on it is phenomenal!

There have been other threads started with the same question. A lot of good replys. Try searching the topic and read what the others have posted. I'm with Dunster on what people would say.

I think the best thing to do is go and test drive. You will definitely see which one you will take a liking too! I personally like my Bernina and Featherweight.

you need to try some out at the sewing machine store. there are also so many just on the shelves of some stores that you can't try out before you take it home. decide what you want to spend and go from there.

This is one item I wish Babylock would make. I've checked with them a few times over the years and still no plan to make them. Don't see why not -- quilters would love this optional plate.

I machine piece, and have a Brother Runway model that I bought on sale at my local quilt shop. Think I paid less than $400 for it. For what I do it sews like a dream. It is light weight to carry to quilting classes and easy to put up and away when it isn't being used. It does have a bunch of fancy stitches which seems like fun when you buy, but I think most people never use more than one or two of them, if that. I am not an accomplished sewer, a straight stitch is about all I can do, so it works for me.

I own several machines, basic to high-tech, my Juki TL-98E is my go to piecing machine. It's a straight stitch only work horse that just keeps going.

Asking this question is like asking what is the best thread to use or the prettiest quilt; it depends on the person giving the answer. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and so is the opinions of us with our machines. You have to find out what works for you. go to shops and try out the ones you've ben thinking about and can afford. Make sure you get good support from store if it's a high end machine. Check if classes are offered, if needed. Decide what YOU like for you. Some like a machine because they've had good luck with it; some don't like a machine because they didn't have good luck or heard bad things about it. Decide for your self. .

I love my Viking Ruby, I also love my Kenmore/Janome bought for a couple of hundred $'s from Sears and I have a couple of other Vikings that I will stand behind. This is what works for me.

I bought a used Janome 6500 from the local sewing dealer a few years ago. I just love this machine. It just purrs.

...and I am a Janome lover for past 12 years. I have a great dealer with great service, repair or whatever my needs may be and I think that is very important.

Asking someone what their favorite machine is or which one is best is like asking whose children do you love more, yours or mine. Try many as you can in your budget and pick the one YOU like best.

I totally agree. There is a LQS here that I had shopped at and even took a class at but due to the people who work there, including owner I'd never buy one of their machines. I won't say the machine they sell because in our area most would know which one I was talking about and I know alot of others who have had issues. I know alot of people like this brand and since I don't have any first hand knowlege one way or the other I won't slam the machine but the personal at the shop was the reason I'd never buy anything that I need support for from them. I rarely go there unless I'm not finding what I want any where else, which is rare. Now, on the other hand, where I bought my Ruby from the moment I first walked in they were great; over a yr before I even looked at their machines. I took classes there with my Kenmore and others had the big Vikings but no one ever said a thing about my little cheap (er) machine and it did all the things theirs did, I just had to do it a different way to get the results. Everyone wanting to buy a machine, no matter if it's high end or low end should check them out. I got my Kenmore at Sears because for a low end machine it did a lot and I can get a warranty for it; not getting that from Walmarts very easily.

I love my Brother HS-2000 for piecing, but if you want to FMQ later, you'd need more throat area. I'm saving for the Laura Ashley special edition Innovis NX-2000 so I can do the FMQ & will keep my HS-2000 for a back-up machine. As someone else mentioned Brother came out with a new line recently for quilting & embroidery. Check them out!

I have a newer ( about 6 yrs old) Singer and a vintage one. I love to sew on my vintage. But the newer Singer has never given me any trouble and it sews just great. It is computerized. If I were to replace one or get another, it would have a couple of features that I don't have now. Automatic thread cutter, and automatic needle up/down. The thread cutter would save you from taking the fabric out the machine and cutting with scissors or the cutter on the back of the post. Just my thoughts, and wants...Gina