I have an Elna SU which is 33 years old and still going strong. I too am looking at a new machine but there are so many choices it's hard to decide.

Bernina for me.

Husqvarna Viking for me. Love my Sapphire.

Babylock is my favorite, I have a Symphoney and my brand new Ellisimo.

I have a janome 10001 and love it. I have an Elna 8000 love it also.
I have a National serger since 1994 works very well with no repairs, Baby lock Evolve serger, an Old Elna serger,
a 1958 Singer Industrial model.
it depends on your individual needs and how you feel when you test drive it. I spent 8 hrs in the store before I bought my Elna, I just wanted to make sure. LOL

For over 40 yrs., I sewed on my Elna. Made all my children's clothes and anything else that needed to be sewed. It was never in a shop, nor did it ever need anything other than cleaning and oiling, which I did myself. Then about 7yrs. ago, I realized that newer machines did marvelous things and I bought a Computerized Kenmore made by Janome, it is awesome, just wish it had more throat space. Also have bought 2 FW's, and an old 127 and a 66 Singer treadles. Some day I will get the cabinet cleaned up and rust-free and I will put the 66 in it and enjoy treadling away. Guess I better get on it as next month I will be 79.

I only have two right now, only starting out. I have a Brother which works good, but I absolutely love my Husqarvarna Viking machine. I've used it for most of my sewing, and am just now learning to use the different stitches it has after about a yr. and a half.
Stephanie :>

BERNINA !!!!

Ditto!! Yes viking and pfaff sold. But my dealer on the east coast of FL is still open and having no problem getting machines. All the talk of China not importing them must have been wrong.

I love my Berninas and Janomes.

I like Singer sewing machines new and old. It was the first sewing mashine I sewed on. It was a treadle machine and it was good exercise while sewing.

I could not quilt without my Pfaffs. It has the straightest seam I have ever seen, and the integrated walking foot is priceless.

I have a White, a Brother and a Brother Embroidery machine and I love them all.

Bernina 930 and 1130. Cheap-o Brother serger that does the basics and is easy to thread and use.

I've only had Singer and Brothers but love both.I haven't had any real problems with any of my machines...just regular maintanence and wear & tear on them.

Love my Brothers and I have a Janome Gem for classes and to take sewing places because it is so light.

I have two Babylocks which I love. Plus I have my favorite straight stitch which is a Singer Featherweight (the black one made in about 1949).

PFAFF. I have had Pfaffs for the last 25 years and I love them. Before I bought my first Pfaff I had both a Bernia and a Viking. I like the Bernina hated the Viking. The best feature of the Pfaff is the built in walking foot. I just bought a new Pfaff Creative 4.0. I can't recommend it enough. I love the 12 in throat.

Janome

Here somes the flood...everyone has their special needs when it comes to machines. Most machines these days have the start stop and needle up down and now alot are including the auto thread cutter. So after the features, you want the best machine for the money and the one with the least service history. So far Janome fits the bill. I would not trade my 6600 for anything, not even the new Horizon. I like the Horizon, but for the extra $1300 or more, I can live with a little less space, and the swtich plate being automatic to single hole. I cannot live without the auto thread cutter, so I purchased the Janome 3160 to take to class. It weighs 12.5 lbs. and has the threadcutter. I found that most of my classes involve about 6 hours of piecing. The Accufeed on the 6600 is wonderful, no more looking around my old walking foot. You can see where you are going.
I have had Janomes in my sewing room for 35 years. All of my machine still work with no problems. Never have taken them in for service. I keep them clean, oil the wick, and treat them with respect when hauling them around. I have two 6600, 4900,3160,9000, & 350E that I use routinely. My other machines I take out and run occasionally. Lastly, I have a Babylock Evolve Wave that is a dream with authomatic threading....wouldn't sell this one either. We love our machines.
I get nervous when I see my husband lurking. He is an architect/engineer and I can see that look of "wonder how thiis thing is put together" in his eye. I have told him that if he touches my machines, he is vapor. Ha!
D in TX

Here's my "stable" of machines. I love my newer Janomes!

Janome 1100 - going on 4 years, never a problem. My "go to" machine.
Janome 3160 QDC - my newest travel machine. One year and no issues and I don't expect any!
Janome 1600p- on my Grace Pinnacle frame, workhorse!
Janome MB4 embroidery machine - terrific!
Babylock Imagine serger - this made me love sergers again.

And my little vintage machine collection:
White VS treadle, what fun and gorgeous too!
Singer FW 222K - works like a charm
Singer FW 221 - currently at my Mom's because her machine has gotten too heavy for her to lift.
Singer 301 beige - in cabinet. My favourite for piecing
Singer 301 black long bed - new to the stable, but works very well.

No woman needs all these machines:) But I do love them all.

Pfaff!

It does depend on what you are looking for. The old, heavier machines handle bulky seams better but modern machines have the precision for paper piecing and the useful features like needle-down, dual feed etc. You need to anticipate how your own interests will develop, also. A new machine is a huge investment nowadays.

I love my Pfaff!!!

I love my Berninas, have 3 of them, and my Singer Featherweights, have 2. All are user friendly and hard working machines in their own way.

I have 2 Berninas. The old one is an 830 about 30 years old.
I used to sew curtains, bedskirts, etc. professionally. I went through 3 foot pedals and it still run like a top. I would never get rid of it. I also love my 730 new machine. I traded in an Artista 165 for it.

You make me feel SO much better - I have 5 Singer FW's, a Janome, another Singer and a Bernina.

I have a Pfaff - that I still keep learning tricks on it, and absolutely love its differential feed. I have a WalMart Brother sewing/embroidery machine which I found is pretty darn good - as stated elsewhere in here the simplicity of use is commendable and it turns out really nice work. I also have an old Kenmore that I got from a thrift store and nursed back to health (with oil), fancy stitches to it means put in a "cam" but it is a fabulous workhorse. And I have a White serger that has been golden. Got it in early 1980's, and while threading it is not my favorite thing, it has been fabulous!
Marysewfun

I love my Janome Horizon. It has an 11" harp opening for quilting and sews beautifully.

I like my Berninas. (730e and 440qe) I have an old antique treadle in the garage that I should get working again. I also have a very old Singer Futura (not the embroidery machine - much older than that).

I still sew on the Bernina Record mechanical that I inherited from my mother. It is a dream to sew on but I have got used to the needle down position and there is none of that on the Record. :)

I have used other machines at shows and workshops where machines were supplied and I don't think I would mind purchasing other makes but it just makes more sense to order the same brand. I don't think I will be buying the Bernina 830 though I have hinted big time but no notice is taken ;)

I know everyone probably has brand loyalty. When I first upgraded to a better quality I asked a friend who had been a home ec teacher what she would recomment and at that time she said Viking. I have stayed with Viking because my feet for my machine (which are many) work with each upgrade.
If you need a small inexpensive one to start with I agree the Brother from Walmart works great-love the needle threader with mine (I have the sewing-embroidery machine)

My first 2 machines were Brother but there is no one here that can fix them so I bought a Janome the last time.

Hands down my bernina but they are expensive.

I collect Singer and embroider on Brother. Would love a Babylock if I could afford it.

Katt

Pfaff

I love my old Berninas 1080 & Nova also my FW.

Pfaff, will always be my favorite, my hubs just bought me another Pfaff I have the 1469 and he just bought me a 1471 that was on ebay, i am waiting for it to come. These machines are so well made and hold up for years, I have had the 1469 for 25 years. Love them.

I thought of something. What about the extra feet I've purchased? If I stay with a Brother will I still be able to use them?

I just bought a new Brother quilting sewing machine SQ 9000. I just love it.

I have a Janome that I have had for 12 years, never been to the shop and will still sew thru several layers of denim, it has made 50 quilts or more and lots of patching. I clean it regularly myself. If I ever have the money to buy a new one it will be Janome.