No they are not. Pfaff is made by SVP (Singer Viking Pfaff) Brother makes Brother and Babylock in the same factory, but Babylock is made under standards set by Tacony, which are a bit higher than Brother.

No they are not. Pfaff is made by SVP (Singer Viking Pfaff) Brother makes Brother and Babylock in the same factory, but Babylock is made under standards set by Tacony, which are a bit higher than Brother.

The Janome 6300 is within your budget. I have the 6600 and the 6500 and the 6300 is a similar model with fewer stitches. I also love my 7700, but that was $2000.

I recently bought a BabyLock Elizabeth. Love it! Lots of stitches, many great features and it fits your budget!

Depends on what you want on your machine.
My favorite feature is when in needle down mode my machine lifts the foot just a little when I stop sewing.
This is great for aplique and chain stitching as you can rotate the fabric.
I have a Viking Sapphire and love this machine with its 10 in throat area.
It has lots of stitches but I dont use them much.

The Juki F600 has a lot of high end features and is in your price range (I paid $899 for mine and love it).

I just bought a Brother PC 420 PRW from Walmart for $400 and it is a wonderful machine. I have a Janome and a Viking and like this machine better than either of my high end machines. It sews like a dream, has a perfect 1/4 , has a automatic needle threader that works better than the ones on my high end machines, has a knee lift, an automatic thread cutter, and comes with a walking foot and a FMQ foot along with many other feet. I am sold on the brother machines, and I hardly use my expensive machines anymore, plus it is light enough to take to class where my other machines are both so heavy. Highly recommended.

new sewing machine
 

I just bought a Brother NX450Q and love it..I shopped around and was able to find it alot less than at my dealer close by. My other choice was going to be a Brother PC 420, which had great reviews, and was less cost wise. Some of the brothers sold at Walmart and target, ect are not the quality of the Brother machines sold at the dealer stores. I researched and talked to alot of people about this. Thats also true on other brands. Each line makes a little less of a machine for the stores. I think I found the Brother PC420 for $379. at Kens Sewing Center.com 1-877-536-7739 free shipping also. I bought mine on line and it was shipped and had no problems. I bought a brother because I have the Brother Quatro and wanted to be able to use the same feet, ect. I have heard the Pfaff and Janome brands are good too. Good luck but shop first.

I have a Brother SQ9000 I bought on Amozon.com and it came from a dealer on there and has 80 stitches, needle up/down and I do not have to use foot peddle, with with the dogs, that is good, one less thing for them to chew. Also comes with extension table and was $139.00 or so on sale.

I love my Janome. I will never buy anything else else again. Bought a Husqvana 830, which is a beautiful machine but I just can't get use to it.