I also have a vintage machine, a Singer 201 from 1951/2. I haven't tried FMQ with it yet but I think it's possible. I just have to figure out how to lower the feed dogs, by lifting up the machine I'm told. I do a good share of my piecing on it and it has wonderful stitches.

I have a janome, it cost around 1,300 dollars a few years ago. I like it alot, it has a bigger throat and all the stitches that I will ever need. What you want is one that will put your needle down, a good stitch to go around your appliques! this machine has it all I believe it's a 6500 series.

Go to WWW.sewingmastery.com they have wonderful video tutorial on many Viking machines. I have a Ruby Deluxe and found them more helpful than dealer classes. I will bet you will find sapphire tutes there as well.

I have a brother sq9050...100 stitches and monograms..tons of feet...been using it for a LOT of sewing for over 2 years now, and no complaints at all. Nice little machine..figure I can buy a ton of fabric by not buying a high end machine..they all do the same thing...if it died tomorrow, I'd go right back and get another one. On line for about $170.00...
Only thing with new machines...any brand..you have got to keep the lint cleaned out of the bobbin area...much more so than old machines that would sew with a pound of lint in them! It will make all of these little machines skip stitches and generally misbehave..but if you just do a quick lint cleaning with every bobbin change, you'll be fine!

I agree with Boston1954. I have a Brother SQ9590 and I LOVE it! I still do my piecing with my FW221, but when it comes to doing appliqué or the actual quilting I use my Brother. I got mine at Sears so I end up paying a bit more than Bosto1954 ($249.99), but it's been worth every penny! Hope this helps! 😊

Donna

The most important thing to me on a quilting machine was the harp space which is why Janome 8900qcp was in the running. There are other brands that have the 11" harp as well. I went with the Janome because I felt it was the best value for the price. I'm not sorry I did. It is a dream to work on a quilt with the extra space between the needle and side of the machine.

The Janome 8900 has really caught my attention with the harp space. The prices are all over the place on this machine. I am hoping to get one from someone who is upgrading to a newer machine. Thanks for the advice.