I have a Bernina that I love but want to buy a backup machine. I want to spend under $1000, so not top of the line but good quality (remember, I am used to a Bernina ;-) ).

Here's the catch - I don't care about lots of stitches, embroidery, etc. I want a great straight stitch, automatic tension, knee lift, needle up/down, feed dogs that can be dropped. I would love to have a warning about low bobbin thread, automatic thread cutter and self-threading but can live without one or all of these if I have to. And a wide throat space would be wonderful!

I've looked at the Janome 6600 but it seems like more machine than I want. The 6500 doesn't have the dual feed and I think I would like that.

I don't want a old machine - I know they are basic and well-built. I have a FW and love it but want a backup that stands up to sewing really fast because that's the way I sew.

I kind of want to trade off having a zillion extras on the machine for high quality basics. Does such a machine exist?

As you can tell, I am really confused about what's out there and I don't have time to check out every type of machine. If I could get a few suggestions from you experts, it would help tremendously. Thanks in advance! ;) ;-)

suggest you go to a shop that sells used machines and tell them your needs and wants. Sounds like an older machine would meet your needs. However, am sure newer ones are also good.

I saw an industrial Singer on eBay a while back that got me to thinking I needed a back up. I have pfaff's for my backups now...but if anything ever goes belly up I'm going back to find that machine. =)

There aren't too many machines that have the warning beep for the bobbin, and once you add an automatic thread cutter you are moving into more complex technology and of course, higher prices. You may want to look for an older used Bernina for most of those features, but I doubt that you will find what you are looking for for that price. Look in dealers where they accept trades. You may have some luck there.

You sound like me when I went shopping for my truck. I hadn't vehicle shopped in 13 years so I had a lot to learn. The biggest thing I found is that you can't order just the things you want; you have to take what they put on it. Unfortunately its the same with sewing machines. Viking has a quilting sewing machine that has the large throat, don't know about any of the other features and have no idea what it costs. Sounds like you just have to do your homework.

Have you thought about a Brother 1500? They are a straight stitch machine with a 9 inch throat and sew about 2500 stitches per minute. I love mine. I also have two Berninas.

One of your biggest problems is that only the machines with the wider stitch capability are capable of having an automatic stitch cutter - it is not possible to do on a 5mm machine. That alone tends to put you into the higher end machines.

Since you say you like dual feed, as do I, I would suggest looking for a slightly older model Pfaff with IDT.

Have you considered a Juki?? It has everything except the built in walking foot. But does include one in accessory package. I have had one for about four years now and love it. Many of my quilting friends have them also. It is an industrial type machine. Built for speed and use.

I purchased a Singer7469QE for my back up.

We bought a Viking Megaquilter for under 1000 dollars, brand new, from a dealer. It was on special for 995, then we got an additional 100 dollars off for buying the demonstrator, so 895. It fits your description of what you want with the exception of dropping feed dogs, it comes with a feed dog cover instead. It has a 9 inch throat.

If you go to a dealer and see that for more than 1000 dollars, try dealing with the dealer, you can probably get it for under.

My vote, if you want a new machine, is a Juki 98Q. It's all metal, straight stitch with a 9 inch throat and a thread cutter. If I could afford it, I would have two of them. She will live forever, as long as you oil her. She is speedy and has the thread cutter, and self threading feature (though not a low bobbin warning). And is the closest thing i have found to the old workhorses of the past, like a Singer 15-91.

I think online you can find one in the neighborhood of $800.

I will NEVER trade mine in for anything. I may get a long arm, but the Juki stays. (along with the 15-91, BTW).

I doubt if you're going to find it all on one machine. If you want dual feed I think you'll want to look at the Janome 6600 or 7700 or the Pfaffs.

Other than that you pretty much need to go test drive and see what there is. Sort of like buying a car.

Have you talked to your local Bernina dealer?

I love Janomes but hate their dual feed system so would suggest the Pfaff with IDT. It is much easier to engage. However, don't know about the auto cut as to what Pfaff has to offer in that regard. Another important consideration is dealer support. That is always a huge factor in my decision!

I have a Janome QC 5250 that's an amazing workhorse. It has some extra stitches but I don't use them much. The ability to move the needle from extreme left to right ensures I can adjust the 1/4" perfectly. It does not have a built in walking foot but I use an after market one. I like the flexibility that if I don't want to use the walking foot that I can take it completely off. It's an electronic machine but not a 'computerized' machine. Sorry, no thread cutter or bobbin alarm, but you can see the bobbin because it's under a clear top plate.
I have the Horizon too, but with it's computerized brain, it refuses when I ask it to go through too thick seams. Go figure! The QC also has the extension table and tons to special feet that store "on board." For a $1000 budget, you can get a nice Janome machine.

My friend has several sewing machines, including the Elna Quilter (if that is the name, the one made for quilters) and got a Juki 98Q and it is her favorite machine.

I thought the same thing as another poster- your Bernina dealer.
Let us know if you find what you're looking for!

I think the brother pq1500 is what might interest you it even has a knee lift.

The Brother Nouvelle 1500 has pin feed, everything else 9.5 throat but no bobbin warning. I adore mine.

I would say look for a gently used Bernina at your Bernina dealer. The new 380 has some of what you want, but is more than what you want to spend.

Brother makes a straight stitch, warp speed machine, but I am not sure if it has any of those extra features. I was planning to get a Brother when I visited my sister, but then spotted the Janome MC6600 and got hooked. No, in fact, it spoke to me and it was love at first sight. I also wondered about repairs and service, so I went with the location of the Janome since I couldn't go wrong either way. Check out Brother's website and see if they offer what you are looking for in a machine. They make great machines too.

I have a brother 1500

Pros
ONE stitch, STRAIGHT!
Knee lifter
Up and down needle position button
Feed dogs can be set at four different positions
Thread cutter button
"auto" needle threader
1500 stitches per minute
You can get one brand new for about 700.

Cons
doesn't have auto tension or a low bobbin warning, however it uses pretty large bobbins!

I love mine, however I have never been a Bernina owner. lol

I too have a Janome and love it - mine is a 6500 as that was the biggest model when I purchased. I was all set to go to the 6600 because of the dual feed but have talked to a couple of my quilting buddies and guess it's not quite what it's made out to be - so I'm sticking with my 6500.

sounds to me like you need a Pfaff 1171 or newer I would check ebay but watch the shipping charges I have bought 3 machines off ebay for friends all good

Hi. - I also have a bernina and a few others. Have u looked at a pfaff or elna. Both moderate orice and great machines

I would consider the Bernina #180 that is on e-bay now. It looks great and I know the G-street dealer that has serviced the machine is a top Bernina dealer. You can tell from the information that the machine has been well taken care of.
Good Luck

i have a brother QC1000 I think is the number. It is the one the Laura Ashley replaced...got a great deal...$800...new.
PM me and I will send you the dealer info...know she would ship it probably.
It is for quilting and sewing...love it.
Susan

If you can possibly find an old Bernina 930 or a Bernina 801 both of these old machines purr like kittens. My 801 is almost 20 years old and you cannot even hear it run when it stitches, AND it does go 90 mph. Just has a few basic stitches, zig zag etc. Only problem no stop up/down on it, but I still take that to workshops as its lighter.
The old 930's were the last all metal machines. Mine still runs like it did the day I bought it. Upgraded to a computerized machine several years ago, but still fall back on the older machines when I am piecing. Good luck on your search for a backup machine.

Juki Tl98Q - only straight stitch, work horse, my very favorite for piecing - availlable online for about $750.

babylock quilter's choice pro straight stitch only,comes with all kinds of feet,a real work horse around 900.00.

Check this out....I have one and love it.

Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G13

I know you said you don't want an old machine but I sew some part of every day and I find the Singer 500a the best and most reliable machine for a backup. It is all metal, no plastic parts to lose adjustment. It came with 5 additional discs with special fancy stitches, and others available. I have a Pffaff 2144 embroidery machine as my first machine and it has already lost a "motherboard" and had to be sent in once. The Singer I bought on E-Bay and it is always ready.

My suggestion is the Viking Mega Quilter. I love mine. It's really fast, has the knee lift and the thread cutter..it doesn't have the bobbin low message but other than that it is a great machine. I got mine on sale for 999. It's easy to load the bobbin and you don't have to take the quilt out to load it which is great. I use a good quality thread and have had no problems with thread breakage. It only does straight stitching so it is a no frill top of the line machine. My other machine is a Kenmore (made by Janome) but it doesn't have the thread cutter or knee lift but works great.

I vote for the Juki as well.

Check out ebay for the juki QL98 it has a wide throat, and straight stitches only. I love mine!!

I ended up with another Bernina, an older model without all the computer stuff. Nothing measured up for me, other than the quality of a Bernina.

I have the Brother 1500. It has all the features you are asking for except bobbin alarm. It looks identical to the Juki.

Low bobbin warning should be a must with any machine! Mine does't have it but ALL MACHINES SHOULD HAVE IT!

I have a BabyLock 'Ellure' and it has all that you are looking for... I LOVE mine!

Try a Juki they are under 1000 and will meet all your needs only thing I don't like about it is your bobbin will run out without your realizing it.