GOOD PLAN - Make a list on what you would LIKE to have - what features you MUST have - and sew any type of machine you can with those features that are within or just above your budget. Maybe they'll work with you on the price - if you're talking CASH! Seems like all business are willing to wheel and deal to move stock.

My Brother is computerized and like others I have NOT used all the features...probably won't either. IF I were to have to buy a machine again I would look for these features: MUST; needle threader (harder to see nowadays), thread cutter (wonderful -have it now), dual feed (I think that's the name of it - don't have now), knee lift would be interesting to use especially as I get more and more into quilting time...and definately a wider table from needle to the right so that quilt things will go under easier.

Good luck!

I have a computerized, but low end Brother. I like the stitches, but I don't really use it much, and it's so damn light it jumps.

My Juki is a straight stitch machine, and I love it to death. For me, piecing and quilting are the things I want most to do. So the fancy stuff is wasted on me. I just bought an older Atlas as a backup, and will probably use the Brother even less.

I have friends, however, that love the fancy stitches and things their computerized machines do. So really, you need to think about what you want.

If you want a great workhorse machine, think about buying an older one. Lostn51 (Billy) is a great resource, and helped me pick which one to bid on. They run forever, and are easy to fix and lubricate yourself. Positive things in this economy.

Good luck.

When I got my old machine I never thought about quilting. It was for making clothes and home decor. Its a good little workhorse, but it never did accommodate quilting quilts! Only a 5-6" throat on it. I think this is why I got into handquilting! Even though I love to handquilt, it really is not the quickest method when you need to get something done. I love all of the stitches that my machine comes with and can see doing a crazy quilt, etc. with it.

I've always sewed clothes, so having the overcast and overlocking stitches, plus all the additional decorative stitches is really a wonderful treat. My old machine had overcasting, but not the overlocking and what a difference it has made.

This is from someone who learned it the hard way. Try to get as much as you can afford. Down the road, you'll probably find uses for your machine that you never dreamed of, it'll give you room for growth.

I really like the needle up/down, needle threader (eyes getting worse), thread cutter, accu-feed system (this is wonderful), feed dogs up/down, knee lifter, built in walking foot and the ability to resize my stitches with just a touch of a button. These features have made my life sooooo much easier and my sewing experience much more enjoyable!!

Good Luck!!! Hard decision ahead!! :-D

Some of us a sewing machine addicts and have serveral we love our gadgets from antique to the Top of The Line so try them out at a dealer don't let them pressure you thought a good nite sleep on it always makes it clear how much you need that special machine . Good luck and enjoy the hunt

AB-so-TIVELY!

Are you wanting one to use for piecing or the actual quilting?

I'm not on a budget but I would never buy a computerized machine. Too many things can go wrong and the repairs take too long.
Good luck finding what you really want tho.
Happy sewing, Kutnso

Welcome to our group. When I started quilting my machine was 20+ years old and promptly died. I purchased a Janome 3018 based on my previous sewing (clothing, home dec). Now 2 1/2 years later and doing more quilting than anything else I wish I'd have picked a machine with a few more stitches. I could have got a 3050 (50 stitches as opposed to 18) for about $50 more. I think it would have been a good investment. I love my Janome and the way it sews...it is a work horse.

When I look at the new machines I always make it clear about the features I am looking for. I am not impressed with those that have a gillion decorative stitches built in and make it clear. When I looked at the Horiziton this week the dealer new that my main concern was space under the arm, overall sewing area (larger attachable table with it) sewing straight and the even feed system. I was suprised and delighted that this one comes with knee lift as well which is good for free motion quilting. Unfortunately I would have to take the 245 built in stitches along with the rest.

I love my Bernina Quilter's Edition but I still haven't gotten into machine quilting b/c I am so bad at it! But it is a wonderful machine.