Input appreciated
 

I noticed no one had responded to you, so I thought I would pass on some advice. The only way to know which machine is for you is to sew on both of them. Take your time and try some of the things you would routinely do when sewing at home. Which has controls that feel more intuitive? Which has adequate light -- in the right place for the way you sit at the machine? Does one feel like a joy to use while the other is a bit more of a chore? Which has the capabilities you are looking for -- adjustable needle position, automatic buttonholes, fancy stitches, stitch regulator -- whatever is important to you?

Only when you put your butt in the seat and your hands on the controls can you begin to assess which is right for you.

Good luck!

I have no knowledge of either of these machines and, frankly, wouldn't consider either one. I have 3 vintage Singer which are great machines, but the new ones IMO aren't worth the money. For the kind of money they are asking, there are other machines out there that I would consider.

As Nancy says, you really have to test drive machines yourself to see which one is for you. Good luck with your search.

I have heard good things about quantum, never heard of the other

I sew on vintage Singer's and love them. I agree with Cashs mom, the modern ones aren't very good. Play with the machine before you buy it.

My daughter has had two Singers that went bad for her and one was a Quantum. The Singers are not the machines they used to be. Look up the models you are interested in on the internet and read the reviews. Then, buy from some place where you can return the machine if you don't like it. My little Brother I got from Walmart, is still sewing good 10 years later. It does pull to the side, but as long as I know that, I can adjust the way I hold the material. I have an inexpensive Janome that has a better stitch, but I don't use it too often because it threads differently from my two Brothers and uses a different bobbin. Pfaff with the walking foot built in was a machine I thought I would like to have, but I just don't need another machine.

Have heard mostly negative things about the Singers built since about 1970. That info came from my sewing machine repairman who sells machines. He won't carry them because, in his words, "they're junk"--insides are all plastic and he says they aren't worth the money to repair them. Says you might get 2-3 years out of it but they are essentially disposable. And he's seen them all. He is fond of Janome, Necchi, Elna, and just about any non-electronic machine.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a new Singer but would happily buy an old one.

Kassaundra, I think the reason nobody responded right away is because the newer Singers don't have a good reputation. Maybe people didn't want to offend you. When I read the post that was my thought so I didn't say anything!
To be honest, I have never used one that you mentioned. But there are so many nice machines out there, all different brands.

My son has some of the new singers and has had problems with some of them.

I had that Singer and had nothing but problems. It felt cheap and plasticky. The motor wasn't strong enough to do multiple seams without bogging down. I went through three walking feet in just a couple of weeks and when I called Singer, their response was basically well, you'll just have to get another. The tension was never correct on any stitch and I tried them all and spent way too much time adjusting settings. There was no way to get a simple accurate 1/4" seam without juggling feet and marking the machine bed. I tried every thread from very inexpensive (0.50 a spool at Joann's check out counter) to the pricier Prensencia, Aurifil and Superior. I had had a very old Singer and it was wonderful; I couldn't understand the differences. Maybe I got a lemon.....but I ended up trading it in for a Bernina and have never looked back and regretted the decision.

The newer Singers are not nearly as good quality as the old ones.

I love my Quantum 9960! It has a great selection of decorative stitches, which I like to use especially in narrow borders. Mine is going in for servicing and I can't wait till I have it back! (yes, I have a backup to use in the interim!)

I stand by my Brother machines. I know at least one member here disagrees with me (I think she got a lemon machine which can happen in any manufacturing) but they are truly workhorse machines. One of mine has been across the United States under a greyhound bus, that had to be transferred four times! It was well packed among towels and linens, but it works just as good as the day I bought it. It was not the cheapest machine Walmart sold, but was $150 total. My other Brother machine is a high end quilting machine. It works great after twelve years, so I just keep using them. Good luck on your search.

I'm a big Janome fan, great machines....if you have a quilt shop that deals with Janome go try one out...I have the 8200 and the 9900...both awesome machines.....I don't think you will be disappointed...good luck....

Mostly I sew on vintage machines. Have purchased two new machines, sold the Singer, the new Janome sits in its case in the spare room. I regularly sew on a 301A, a 50's New Home, but mostly on a 70's Viking.