Help! How to choose a new machine?
 

I am replacing my old Pfaff and want a sturdy machine that can handle quilting as well as sewing, and that is in the under $200 range. I have seen the Brother CD8080 for $120, which says it has metal gears and frame, and the Brother CD6000i for about $152 that comes with several feet but has plastic gears. The CD8080 is computerized, while the CD6000i is electronic -- what does this mean to me, as basic sewer/quilter? Has anyone any feedback on these? I get so excited I am liable to order one without knowing enough about it!

Hi how exciting. First have you tried either machine? I would have a go on both. Take some cotton fabric and a small quilt sandwich with you to try on. Look at the stitches when you have sewn them - which do you prefer? Which machine runs smoothly? Do you want addition al feet and stitches? If not sure how much will the additional feet cost. You will find that you only use a few feet rather than every one they give you.

As to metal v plastic. probably know which I would go for - but not sure its the best.have you read reviews online? Buying a new machine is pretty scary but good luck

I have found several reviews of the Brother CD6000i (electronic but all plastic), most of them quite complimentary, but only one of the CE8080 (the computerized one with metal gears). The 8080 seems like the better machine, but it's so much cheaper that I'm confused. I have not found where they are sold locally as yet.

I am a big Brother fan, so as for me, you are heading in the right direction. Keep in mind the features that will make your sewing easier. Needle up/down, threader, does it cut the thread? Can you run it without the foot pedal? Definately test run each. Good luck - machines are so personal.

Do a search here on the Quilting Board for Brother CD6000 and you'll find several threads with reviews. There are also good reveiws other places online. I have it and like it, it's worked well for me for several years BUT the throat space is too small to get all but the smallest projects through for the machine quilting. I've done some tablerunners and a lap quilt but there's not enough room for big projects. However, if you don't want to do machine quilting, or plan to have your projects quilted by someone else, it's a very nice machine for the price.

To get more room for quilting I'm restoring my mother's Singer 201. It was built in 1957 and has no horns and whistles but very good straight stitch and more room to get a quilt through it. I'd like to learn to free motion quilt on it. So a vintage Singer is another option -- 201 or 15-91 are workhorses.

Another option might be new Sears Kenmore, which others say is made by Janome and often offers a number of features at a good price.