Hi Guys,

Would just like to tap into all that experience out there.... Can you all tell me which machine you feel is the best for just quilting.... no embroidery.... just quilting!

Hugs

Oh my. You've opened a can o'worms here. If there are 1,000 different quilters, you will get 1,000 different opinions. I'll start: Husqvarna/Viking Signature Quilting

I had an old JCPenney's that I liked just fine & still use & now I also have the 6500 Janome that I like alot for some of the features like -larger throat space, up/down needle stop position,a button to push to cut the thread, & more designs-which I don't use as much as I thought I would.

I bought my Juki TL98Q just for quilting. It has a 9" throat and I can quilt a king size with no problems.

Hope this helps.

Ditto TonnieLoree-"You've opened a can o'worms here. If there are 1,000 different quilters, you will get 1,000 different opinions."

I have an Elna!

Janome 6500 or 6600 but really plain a Juki. I use a Janome 6500 or vintage machines.

I'll jump in, Janome 6500 or Janome Horizon, cant say enough good things about them.

How true LOL! My little FW rocks!

Bernina!

I love my Husqvarna 870!!!!!!Good workhorse!!

I like my Bernina, with the BSR. But there are lots of really good machines available.

if you are going to buy a new one - look at those with larger throat area such as Janome Horizon and the Elna.
The extra space is wonderful to have

This is off the topic but just had to say that you are the first person I've heard that also has a Penney's machine. Mine is called a Pencrest and is about 42 years old. It makes a very nice straight stitch and would always work even if it had been years since I had last used it! I did buy a Pfaff 3 years ago when I first started quilting and I love it, also.

I am really happy with my Brother PQ1500S machine for quilting...pretty much like the Juki...I know there are some minor differences....just wish I had more time to use it

Oh, there are so many wonderful machines out there! I have to say, I love my Elna's. I have two, the 7200 Quilters Dream and the 6003. Both are wonderful workhorses that sew & quilt like a dream. But I also have a New Home machine that is a fraction of the cost of my Elna's and it gives me the most amazing, perfect stitches! I wouldn't part with that machine for anything! :D

My Janome Horizon is one fantastic machine to quilt on-BUT, I know there are many great machines to use.

I have used a Montgomery Wards, Singer and Bernina. The Montgomery Ward one ate my fabric, the Singer worked great until it didn't, the Bernina is fantastic, it's almost like it sews for me. Love Bernina!

Janome 6500, Bernina, Pfaff

I have a 10yr old Viking Lily and it sews like a dream.

Love love love my Bernina!!

I love my babylock espire hand down, but test drive, your dream machine might not be someone elses, I have seen people love and hate the same machine. write down what you want in a machine, take it to a dealer and they will show you models that have those features, take fabrics with you to test out the stitches and feel of the machine, I always stick with my brothers and babylocks, very easy to use right out of the box, no learning curve needed. There are so many good brands bernina, janome, pfaff, juki, brother , babylock with so many different models with different features. They all have good and weak points, what matters is that you love the machine not someone else.

The best is the one that works for you!
Go try some out see which one feels good to you! Trust your instincts! Have fun!

You did not mention if there is a budget limit. Also some machines come with extra feet (like my Janome 6500 and the acrylic table), while others you have to purchase each foot.

I would also suggest if you have some local dealers near by, test drive different machine. Also take the time, and "interview" the dealer. I love my dealer and they are always helpful

Good luck on your hunt!

As others have said do go and try some out first. I studied online reviews and brochures for ages, but when I went to the shop I came out with a different model after trying a few. Good luck x

i like my viking sapphire 830.

I love my Phaff 2840 quilt expression for all sewing and quilting. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I am just using a normal sewing machine with basic quilting. Some day in the far future I will have a dream machine. Until then there are more important things to spend the monies on.

Janome 6500. Love it.

Juki TL98Q

You're going to get so many opinions your head will swim. My advice is to get out and test as many different machines as you can and then make your decision with you personal choice and preferences. Take a fabric sandwhich with you and test out all the stitches available and make notes on what you like and dislike. We are all different in what we like even tho many like the same machines as many do not and prefer another. It's all personal choice and what you feel most comfortable with...you will be the one sewing/quilting on it so it has to fit you and your needs.

Brother Nouvelle S 1500, or any other machine that has a wide throat and a single stitch plate.

The best machine is the machine YOU love. We all will tell you somthing different. And we will all be right.

Janome 6500, 6600 or Horizon. Love them all!!

Pfaff Quilters Expression 4.0. I love mine. I hear the work picky or persnikity used for the Pfaff, but I haven't found that to be the case as long as I have the right needle with the thread I am using.

I have a Pfaff expressions 2.0 that is wonderful to quilt on. It has a 10 inch throat and I can easily quilt a king size. For piecing I use a little Brother sewing/embroidery machine. It beeps when the bobbin is running out or the top thread has broken or run out, has a button to cut upper and lower thread. I got it for Christmas but hadn't had a chance to use it yet, then my Pfaff went in for servicing and I used it to piece and I love it

Larger throat for sure.

Husquvarna / Viking, Designer SE, having the ability to set a machine for foot down, the assist with threading the needle and auto thread cut are real time savers, more time for more quilts!
Doing free motion on this machine is great!

That's like asking a mother which child she likes best. If you just want to have a good basic sewing machine without all the bells & whistles (embroidery) then go to a shop or two that carry several brands and test sew on as many as you can... I'm sure you'll discover the one that tugs at your heartstring and that is the one you should buy.

Try before you buy..I own a Viking..a 1980 Singer 6215..and a small Brother for carrying back and forth to group..I couldn't wait to own that Viking and I hate it..lol..I actually use..the $100.00 Brother for piece work more !! I'm looking for a new one and I am looking at Bernina.

Bernina with the BSR