Considering a purchase, but don't know what to buy. Mainly for piecing. Tell me your likes & dislikes about what you have & what you recommend or don't. I can't spend $1000 or more on a machine by the way.

See if you can find a Janome 6500P used. They are work horses and do everything I have ever needed except embroidery. The only drawback ever is that they do not have free arm.

I love my Brother machines. They have several nice machines for much less than $1,000. l also have had Janome machines that were very good also.

I'm looking to upgrade, too. My biggest concern is large throat space. It seems to be Brother offers the largest throat for the least money.

so many thing to consider when buying machine

I have a Babylock Espire (now Symphonie) but she is a little past your limits. LOVE that machine though. The only thing missing is the built-in walking foot but....there is a stand-alone foot for attachment.

Brother in general is very user-friendly.

I'd suggest you get a list of must haves and go from there.

I have a Singer industrial machine. Sews forward, backward and zigzag. It has a separate motor from the machine. I have had it since 1983 and have never had any problem with it. It's fast and reliable. I also have a Viking quilting and a Brother that I take "traveling". All are very basic.

I have had just about every machine there is over the years but my most favorite is the pfaff" If you ever try and find a used one you will know just how much they are loved lols. The built in dual feed system is the greatest.

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to machines. Mine happens to be Janomes. But go to you local shop that sells machines and try them out. Make a list of what you would like the machine to do. Question everything. Also some shops have slightly used or reconditioned machines for a good price. I got one of my machines at half price because they used it as a demo. Good LUck

I have a Janome 6600 and LOVE it. Got it last March and it really is a wonderful wonderful machine. Cannot recommend it any higher. Not only is it a workhorse, but the construction of it can't be beat. Steel construction with ball bearings. Check out the construction of any machine that you are going to put that much money into. They are not all equal. Took dh with me, I checked out the features and he checked out the machine construction. LOL

Good luck its a very hard and personal decision.

I have a Husqvarna Viking Lily which I love very much. I do all of my machine quilting on the Viking. For piecing, I usually use my Vintage Singer 301. I especially like the Viking because of the "needle down" feature.

I was looking at the Vikings at JoAnn's a few weeks ago. They had one model for aboaut $800 which I'm thinking about. I have had Pfaff for about 15 years, several models, but they are terribly expensive and I don't use all of the features (I don't do embroidery)

I have a Viking Daisy and a Viking Designer 1, I have owned other machines, but for me, I will never purchase anything but a Viking. The quality of the machine is absolutely amazing. But again, that's me. My aunt has a bernina which she loves. I would suggest just sewing on different ones and you will know which you like best.

I agree. Take some fabric and thread, if you have a favorite brand, and spend some time with it.

I feel the same way. You can get a really nice used Pfaff for around $800 and it is worth every cent. My first Pfaff with IDT was a 2054/56 and I was amazed at how well it handled everything. I have been gradually adding to my Pfaff collection ever since that fateful day.

I'll third this recommendation!! I have a Pfaff 2030 and a Janome 6600. I still love piecing on the Pfaff!!

The new Bernina 3 series is nice if you're looking to spend under $1000. I believe they start around $750 and go to $1200. They look really nice, and you'll get that wonderful Bernina stitch!

Here's the link to them on the Bernina website: http://www.berninausa.com/3series/EN-US/default.html

And here's a video about the machine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oQbGKRcZGU

It would be a great piecing machine, and you get the hands-free system there as well.

Plus they have a bunch of great videos to show you how to do things. :P

My fav machine for piecing is an old Singer that operates with your knee. My BF bought it for me at a thrift shop for 100.00. It looks and works like it is brand new. Cabinet looks new too. Wish I knew how old it is.

Me too" When I went out to buy mine I was sold on and old viking that already had but after trying the pfaff that was it for me: since then I have bought another one just in case I need to ever take it in for any reason I don;t want to be without my dual feed. I do have two brother machines also but one is for emb. and the other is a small travel sewing machine.

Thanks everyone, for all the input. It is a BIG decision & I suppose a personal one as well. I'm taking all of your advise & sorting through my options. You blessed me with your responses. I'll let you know...but, I warn you, it usually takes me a while on a decision like this & I am willing to wait for a GREAT once I do decide. I'm definately a shopper/buyer.

My favorite machine is the Viking Designer SE. I do all my quilting using the embroidery unit and it works great! But it cost more than you want to spend. New home and Janome are very user friendly and not that expensive.