kanoelani - Thanks for your response. I think she is hoping to use the machine for both the pieces and in what you call "machine quilting" which I assume means stitching the pieces together into a quilt.. Are there machines in that price range that can do that?

Machine quilting is where you sew the 3 layers together.
I have two singers, and both handle the quilt layers well. I'd look at the reviews, or have your wife look at reviews of products. Go to www.patternreview.com and you might be able to get a better idea.

I have a Kenmore and love it. My DH bought me all the presser feet that go with my machine. When I got mine, it was advertised as a great quilting machine. My "dream" is to get a Babylock or a Pfaff!! :mrgreen:

That big of a surpise ....I would take her to the place you are getting your machine and let her pick it out....after all she is the one who will use it.....just my thought...good luck

Many thanks to everyone for your great responses.

fabricluvr, Moonpi, jstitch, mic-pa - Thanks for the Janome recommendation. It seems that the Kenwood (Sears) are made by Janome. Would you recommend getting the Kenwood or would the Janome be a better bet?

pocoellie - Thanks for the idea of the Elna. That gives me one more name to have a look into.

quiltwoman - I loved your idea of a quilt store and hadn't even thought of that. I searched and it seems there is one that is not far from where we live. Here is the url. any thoughts on how this store looks? Might it be a good place for me to go and visit? Me in a quilt store? lol http://www.capitalquilts.com/

I can't thank you all enough for your willingness to help me out!

Hi Thomas
There are many good machines out there.The best thing to do is have your DW go try some so she can pick out the one she likes. She will be sewing with it. I have a Viking Freesia that I got around that price range.

When I really started quilting, I didn't want a huge investment until I understood exactly what I would want later from the actual experience. So, I went to Hancock fabrics not far from me,and they were about to close this store. Found a Janome 3200 for $399 and talked it down another 100. I about cried all the way home for I thought this seemed like such a big amount of money for something to just have fun on:)) I not only pieced but quilted on this machine. It still is my work horse. It doesn't have all that fancy stuff but, I did a huge and heavy quilt on it quilting...after that I decided I needed something with more throat space I have purchased the Janome 6600. It sews like butter!:))You can go direct to the Janome site and check out all the different machines and options. I don't regret starting out on a simple start at all...I still use it to piece, loan out and/or take to class. I hug my 6600 almost everyday:))Good luck and keep us posted on your decision. There are many choices! Tour her to other shops and let her sew on demos if she doesnt know what she wants...:))Skeat

I bought a Pfaff. My favorite feature, the integrated dual feel (IDT). It acts like an even-feed foot that I can use all the time (perfect for piecing and machine quilting that isn't free-motion and sewing binding on). At last check, the cheapest ones with this feature were in the $500 range.

I bought a higher end model and the thing is an absolute work horse. It has gone through layers of seat belt strapping (sewed a messenger bag for my cousin out of high end fabric that were water-resistent and seat belt strapping was used for the shoulder strap).

Love this machine!!

Thomas,
Did you check out the Class Pass your quilting store is offering?? For $100, you can take as many classes as you'd like in the quarter. You, of course, have to supply the fabrics, etc but the instructor fee is waived. Might be a nice gift?? :wink:

Be prepared to spend a long time at the store and really take your/her time sewing on all the machines. Don't forget used too if sticker shock hits you.

The store in your area carries Pfaff--I have a Bernina and 2 Brother machines so I"m not a good person to comment on those machines. I'd go and see what you can find. Perhaps someone here has a Pfaff??

I think some of those classes would be fantastic for her to dabble in quilting.

See some I'd love to take!