I had a regular Singer that I used for quite some time. Once I used a friends' computerized, I was sold. They run so much smoother. I bought a brand new Viking #1+ many years ago. I never have had a problem with it. I then bought a Viking Quilt Designer used from a Viking dealer and have never had any problems with it either. The Quilt Designer has the needle up/down feature that the #1 didn't have.

I would check with a dealer in your area to see what kind of machines they have that may have been trade ins. Usually the machines are checked over before they put the out for sale. That is a good way of getting a little better machine.

I have had several different sewing machines and I purchased a Craft and Quilt Pfaff a few years ago. We had Pfaff sewing lessons once a month and that gave me more information about my machine and the confidence to use my machine without hesitation. I now own a Janome 10001 and find that very user friendly. The instructions in the book that comes with the machine is very helpful and easy to follow. They just came out with a new Craft and Quilt one and I am considering purchasing this one also because my 10001 is also an embroidery machine. I found that free motion quilting is so easy to do on my Janome rather than on my Pfaff. Good Luck on your next machine.

the best bet is to try some machines but just get a very simple "Cheep" one for now to learn and work on while you are testing out the different models. I got a Janome second hand this weekend and have just had a ball with it. I had a singer that had to go in for repairs, would only sew in reverse. (Made a bag that way and wanted to cry it was sooooo hard.)
Just get a temporary one till you know that you really like quilting and then when you have done a lot of looking around and saved lots of money, you can get a really good one. I am saving up to get a small longarm.
It is up to you what to do and but I would suggest getting a temporary one on sale or second hand till you have a good chance to look around and try them out. And sometimes all the gidgets and gazmoes are not worth it if you don't know how or what to use them for.

No I have a computerized machine and have wished I didn't
Like there is so much you can't use on one like you can't use
walking foot that makes quilting easier.Nothing that has a
magnet in it. I have the brother it works good really dose but since
I have been quilting wish I had not got it. I would really like to have a singer.

Why can't you use a walking foot on your brother? Depending on the model you purchased, it should be able to add the walking foot. Also in mentioning magnets around computer machines the claim is the magnets you would want to use such as in embroidery hoops etc.aren't strong enough to cause any problems with the machines. Talk to your dealer or check on line to see if there isn't a walking foot for your machine. good Luck

Suzy

I had a perfectly good Janome but found I really needed the needle down option - was doing a lot of channel stitching! Bought the Janome 6600 and would not trade it for anything else.

I like my solid old Pfaff 1196 except that it cannot take a walking foot. (Believe me I've tried them all!) It's very solid and reliable. I also have a Brother XR-7700 from W'mart that does have a walking foot but a very short throat. Good for borders though. Thought I would like having a start/stop button and other buttons to operate things like stitch length. BUT when I'm doing a tricky seam I dislike having to take my right hand off the fabric in order to press the stop button! (Went back to using a treadle.) And whereas I can dial immediately to any stitch length, even 0 for locking a seam with the Pfaff, I have to repeatedly press a button to decrease the length on the Brother or sew in reverse (not a fan). Same with setting the needle off-center; with the Pfaff I can set it to any degree I want, right or left but with the Brother that is it, Right or Left. Also will never know why with the Brother the needle position when turning on the machine is "needle left".?

So, both have benefits - I like the Brother for applique and any time I can use the Walking Foot and I like the Pfaff for plain, vanilla sewing which I do a lot!

There are very simple computerized machines. Really a basic computerized machine will just preset the stitch length and tension. You can override the settings if you want - it just makes it user-friendly. A lot of times people think a computerozed machine is going to be complicated, but it really does make it easier!

I would recommend you buy your dealer! If you have quilt shops close, go visit, shop the people and the machines they have - many have used machines they've taken in on trade.

No machine features will equal what a good dealer can do for you. When I bought a new machine a couple of years ago, I thought I wanted it only for garments and home dec - then I got into embroidery and quilting. Fortunately for me, my dealer has a good trade in program.

You might also ask if they do repairs in house or have to send them out. I called my LQS today with a question about my machine, got the answer over the phone. That's a whole lot better than having to take it to the shop.

Good luck, have fun!

I have a computerized machine and it's very nice but I use my Singer 301 for piecing and quilting more then any machine I have.