Thomas, you might want to take a peek at the Sears website. most of the machines there have ratings. more than likely they'll have some of the same machines in the store. i see five star ratings on several of their machines. i would love to have the Kenmore computerized with 215 stitch functions! it has 49 ratings with an overall of 5 stars! i'm getting ready to make a crazy quilt and i'll be limited on the number of decorative stitches i have, even with two different sewing machines.

i suspected Kenmore was made by Janome but i wasn't certain until reading it here. while mine isn't a Kenmore, the price i paid for it at Sears was WAAAYYYY less than the sewing machine store down the street for equivalent features (my neighbor bought one similar and paid $200 more for it). they are willing to service it for me, even though their nose gets a little out of joint when they see it is a model from Sears. a long-winded way to answer your question about Kenmore vs. Janome. :D

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...&gobutton=find

Thank you all again.

The latest chapter in this saga is that I called the quilt store and was told that $600-700 was the lowest price they would recommend for a basic machine. It went up from there, and I do mean UP! :mrgreen: I was a little dissappointed since I felt the quilt store would have offered a brick and mortar address that might be helpful with the zillion questions that are likely to come up.

From what I have read here I am tempted to go back to Sears and buy the Kenwood (Janome?) machine that is on sale for $199 <Mfr. model #16231>

Link to sears site

My wife has been reading your responses with me and feels a pull towards the Janome Magnolia. There seems to be different models of he magnolia and a large price spread. I think she would also seem happy with the idea of the machine linked above.

Any feedback will be very much appreciated. Thank you all.

i still really believe in kenmore. one huge difference i see between the one you've chosen (on sale for $199) and the $254.99 one is 9 month full vs. 25 year limited warranty. granted, the $254.99 machine is computerized.

i did notice that neither of them include the even feed (walking) foot for quilting. but you can purchase that separately ($19.99). your wife will want that for even the basic straight-line quilting.

looks like the throat on the $254.99 one may be a little larger (could make a difference when she really gets going with quilting when trying to maneuver a piece through).

just to stir the pot! have fun!

Mine is Sears model# 19110 and it has done everything I could ask, quietly, efficiently, and without complaint. I do notice that all the machines in their line had gone up by $50 this year - guess I bought at the right time. Good luck with it!

My first machine was a Kenmore that I paid around $200 for 8 years ago. It had a presser foot that could be adjusted for extra thickness which is great for quilting. Then my DH got me a Viking Designer 2 with the all the bells and whistles, embrodery etc. Wonderful machine and probably cost as much as a small car. I still use my Kenmore alot too, great little work horse. Just letting you know what you are in for when she gets more experience! Ha! Good luck, I think you are on the right trail.

Well Thomas you are probably pretty confused by now, huh? Don't be overwhelmed, stay with your budget...I had heard the Kenmore was a Janome and that is good...I have a few Janomes...LOVE them. One of my Janomes looks alot like the Kenmore for 254.00 I would check that one out...25 years ago my ex-husband....surprised me with a sewing machine, it was a New Home (now known as the Janome) and I loved that machine it was my baby....and I did alot of sewing on it. IMHO you don't have to start out big....But to me a beautiful stitch is important...There have been alot of woman that have made beautiful quilts on simple machines.....Believe me, she will love the machine you buy her, but someday she will want another :D

A frined of mine--driving*me*buggy on here--just bought a Janome Magnolia and loves it! I'll send her here to leave a comment. :D

Good luck! It can get overwhelming to search. I just bought a new one and test driving them really made a difference. I prioritized my wants before I shopped. Having a bigger throat area--the distance beteeen the base and the needle is very important to me. That 1/4" inch foot is VERY important.

Have fun!! Let us know what you get. :D

I had a Kenmore for years and years & loved it with no trouble. The only reason I don't still have it is the movers dropped it on one of our cross country moves.

I vote for the Janome Magnolia 7318

I have had mine for a few weeks and love it!!! It is a little workhorse and very easy to use. Here is where I got mine
http://www.icanhelpsew.com/janome_magnolia7318.html

I added a walking foot for $29

This also looked like a nice one for a little more $$ I wanted simple simpe simple though lol

http://www.icanhelpsew.com/janome_magnolia7330.html

A link to my post when I was looking

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/12389.page

And when my new machine arrived
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/12605.page

hope this helps :)

I've been quilting since 1990 and own two Pfaff sewing machines. I would not buy any other brand since mine have stood the test of time. Other than cleaning and oiling I have never had one in the shop for repairs. One of mine is 18 years old, the other 12.
Unique to Pfaff machines is that they have an integrated built in dual feed.
A real plus when it comes to machine quilting and sewing on bindings. (Not all low end Pfaffs have this, ask for it)

Regardless of what brand you choose I can suggest some features that I would not want to be without. A needle threader, needle up-needle down
button, (this setting allows for machine to stop with the needle always down or always up, no hand turning of wheel to always reposition needle to begin again), an adjustable buttonhole stitch for machine applique (also referred to as a blanket stitch), the ability to drop your feed dogs for darning or free motion machine quilting. And last but not least the ability to change your needle position to the left or right of center and still do straight stitching. I would want these basic and helpful features before
a mess of decorative stitches. They are the backbone of quilting.
If a machine does not have a built in walking foot ask the dealer to throw in an attachable one. Not a generic but one that is made for the brand you are buying. Also a darning and open toe foot. Hope this is a help to you. These features may be pricier than you had expected but if your wife gets bit by the quilt bug she will want them. If not, these features will make the resale of her machine much easier without a great loss to your original investment.