Have my treadle, but was looking at ones I can move around the house to sew on, and would actually like to be able to do the quilting of the top on afer getting it made. Thought the Janome 1600, but found out the bobbin is very hard to get to and it's hard to thread.
Then I found about automatic cutters above and below your work, and auto threaders, and easy access bobbins. Oh, and lets not forget automatic thread tension (not sure what that ones for) Is there such a machine out therer for making a quilt that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? If so, would someone tell me all about them? And do you really need anything other than a straight stitch?
My head is realine, Thank you. Jack

It helps a lot to determine your price range first. No use looking at a $2,000 machine with lots of bells and whistles if your budget is $500!

Also, consider going to a dealer and purchasing a used machine. Many people trade in a perfectly good older model for the newest top-of-the-line, so you can usually get a lot more for your money that way.

I wanted a heavy duty, modern sewing machine for quilting and my budget was $400. I soon discovered that wasn't enough $. So I bought a used 2042 Phaff for $400. I'm very pleased. I would suggest that you find a dealer that you would love to buy from and talk about what you really want on a machine. He might just call with a real gem of a machine, like mine did.

I'm also interested in this question. I've been wanting to buy a new machine but get so confused when I hear all of you talking about different ones.

Without a price range, it's very hard to make even suggestions of what to look at.

I would just get a simple one. at least to begin with. just something for 100 or maybe 200. something real cheep. I had a singer for years that I would pull out and use occasionally. now that I am getting more into sewing I got a Janome sewist 521. It has about 20 or so stitches i think and a drop in bobbin and it does reverse and forward. it isn't self threading or self cutting. I can adjust top tension but not sure about the bottom like on my old singer. I like it because there are a few decorative stitches but most the time I do straight stitch. I am new to quilting and am working on FMQ but for now when I quilt my couple I use this one decorative stitch and use the SID method of sewing. Like Prism66 said, I would look at used older models for a sewing machine. this way you can get one for a reasonable amount and play around with it and see after a couple of months what you really need and don't want in the machine. but that is just me. hope this helps

My budget as well was going to be $400, then was told I needed a Janome 1600 series and found a website that sells a new one for $579. Thought "ok, found my machine even if it doesn't sew anything but straight stitches". Then I read some negative reviews, mostly people didn't like that the bobbin was 4" inside the machine and they had to reach in from the side to get the bobbin placed. They made it sound very difficult so that shot that one down. Right now, $600 is pushing it for me, but a used machine would be fine as long as it was in good working order. As for the different stitches, maybe down the road??
Thanks for the responses and I will have to check out the Pfaffs
Jack

Phaff, sorry. And I will check out the Janome 521

In addition to budget, you also need to determine which features you need, want and might need or want. If you know you want the machine to do a blanket stitch for applique that will rule out all of the straight stitch only machines.

For an all around quilting & sewing machine that may or may not ever get put on a machine quilting frame, I think you're going to have to really watch craigslist, ebay and the sew-its-for-sale type yahoo groups to get anything less than $1,000 and if you want new--you're looking at almost $2,000. But that is for my dream machine. Your dreams could be considerably cheaper than mine--LOL!

Have you considered looking for a used Pfaff on Ebay that has the IDT foot, this allows for sewing on multiple layers of fabric and would work well for quilting. Ebay has a few of the Pfaff 1222E's for sale which have the IDT foot that may be in your price range.

So you have a local dealer for Pfaff. They may have some used machines that are priced right.

The very best thing before leaping in is to sit down and "have a play"....Machines are such a personal thing, what works for one, doesn't for another.

First I would find out which Dealers are in your area. A local Dealer that can help you if you have a problem or just answer questions is invaluable. And a Dealer will be servicing your machine, so another reason to find out what is within your reach. Visit them and talk to them about what you think you want. They may have some terrific trade-ins for sale. I had a Bernina Activa 140 & found a second one on Ebay for under $350. Bought it, took it to my Dealer & they were impressed with what I got so cheap. So I had 2 of those beauties. They have numerous decorative stitches and do all I would want except for the self threading. I then went to my Dealer later & bought a 240. All the feet can be used on each machine. That was a good thing. I have the 140's set aside to pass down to my grandgirlies. So take your time and do some research. Then see what is local to you. Test drive.

I would also suggest keeping an eye open for an older Pfaff. I just recently found an immaculate, one owner 1475CD, complete with everything, on our local Craigslist for $400. These machines are still sought after by Pfaff enthusiasts and you would eaily be able to get your money back if you ever decided to sell.

The Pfaff IDT system is wonderful for quilting and you would have to spend way more to get the same features in a new machine.

I have 2 Juki TL 98QE machine - straight stitch only, comes with Walking foot, Darning foot - for FMQ Straight stitch foot and a compensating foot for a perfect 1/4" seam. It has a large throat and can easily quilt a queen size. I paid 699.00 Last one included freight, 1st one didn't. I saw them somewhere on internet for 649.00 including freight. I wouldn't buy a used machine, unless I got a good warranty. I have looked at all the fancy machines and the throats are too small to do a queen size quilt. Just rying to give you more to think about.

I love my memory craft 4000. It is about 10 yrs old so you probably won't find one, but Memory Craft/Janome have some nicer low end computerized models in your price range so says a search I just did. You may have to buy your darning and walking foot and 1/4 inch foot separate but you can do that over time easily enough. The Janome DC2010 is a computerized machine with plenty of stitches, speed control on the machine (nice when just learning FMQ and for children just learning to use a machine), needle up/down position and feed dogs that drop. I like computerized machines because I think they are quieter. What you need to decide is what is most important to you. I seldom use the fancy stitches but I like to have that option. Is that really important to you??

I think you need to figure out what you will use your machine for. My machine was purchased long before I ever thought about quilting and my needs were different. Fortunately, I bought a Pfaff 7570 which has the built in walking foot (IDT) and is wonderful for piecing. I haven't done a lot of "quilting" on it but have done a lot of other free motion type work and absolutely love it.

I bought my daughter a Janome DC2010 and it sews pretty well. I got to use it for something other than a quick test drive last week. It is pretty sweet for a machine that can be found for under $400 US.

I still prefer my Pfaff but could see myself wanting the Janome for a backup.

Thank you all for the good advice. The one occuring theme is TEST DRIVE; so guess that is what I should do. The nearest large cities that would have many stores to go to would be Tulsa, OK. Need to call around and see who will let me 'test' out some machines, and if they have good clean used ones for sale. I will definetly check into the Pfaff IDT system. I will need to save up, even for a used machine, so I have time to look around. Thank you all,
Jack

Checked out the pfaff IDT system, that looks like it is very helpful in keeping the material going straight. Found a nice pfaff on Craigslist for $500, but it's a bad time right now so will have to let it pass. As I agree with many, I just need to test drive and maybe I can find a good used one at a sewing store. I thought I'd made up my mind to go with Janome, but now the pfaff is looking mighty fine :? :?:

If you are looking at a machine that is both suitable for piecing, quilting and moving around the house maybe look for a used Juki. It will give you the throat space. It is not a small very movable machine but for around the house it will do. I think it only has straight stitch, so tha tmight be limiting if you use the machine for other things like regual sewing. If size is a big factor I would look at a Janome Gem but there is practically no quilting space. If you need something that does it all maybe a Janome 6500 or 6600 used or bit the bullet and get it new?

A whole other thought. What about an older machine like vintage. I just bought a Singer 301(straight stitch only, machine only~ 16 lb) in cabinet for $50. It did need work but these machines are straight forward and DH does them himself. It seems nice both for quilting and piecing. I do think you might want a cabinet with it or drop it into a table if you plan to use it for quilting as it might move when quilting a larger quilt. Singer 201 you could probably quilt larger quilts on without it needing to be in a table.

I have two Pfaffs and love both of them.

Check out the Janome Magnolia 7330. I paid $399 for mine but got the dealer to throw in a 1/4" foot and a walking foot. You should also make sure your dealer includes introductory classes on your machine because having bells and whistles doesn't help if you don't know how to use them!

Here are the features I love about my Janome Magnolia:
Needle up/down
Drop feed dogs
Speed control
Start/stop button
1-step buttonhole

If I had a bigger budget I would have looked for something with:
Auto thread cutter
Adjustable presser foot (the Threadbanger has this but it was another $100, so if you can afford it, maybe look into that)

Found a pfaff 2024 on Ebay with starting bid at 550 with 0 bids, but outside the US; so called Wichita to the pfaff dealer and they have a 2038 they are closing out for $999, and a 2025 that was a floor model they loaned out, price not set as of yet. They have 'mechanical' 3.0 well in my price range, and I think they said the 4.0 was $699. so when I'm up in whichita monday going to go by and check thier machines out. If they let me make payments on the machine and hold it, I could afford a more expensive machine; maybe the 2038 :-D Keeping my fingers crossed.
jack

I really love my Pfaff for most of my sewing needs. Its hard to beat that IDT.

I also have a Juki TLQ and love it. I also own a brother and a Husquvarna Viking Quilt Designer. If someone told me I could only keep one and all I would be doing would be quilting, I would definitely keep the Juki. It is a dream to sew straight sewing.

Cheryl,
Who makes the Juki? Is it a pfaff?
jack

I am not sure, but I think it is a Japanese made machine.. They make a lot of industrial machines as well as home sewing machines. I think they sell for $14oo in some sewing shops (my friend's husband paid that much for hers!) but you can get them on the internet for MUCH less. My friend just got one last week and it was $735 with free shipping.

Juki is not a Pfaff. Pfaff is from Germany.