Hello sisters! I need some qualified opinions on what my next machine should be. I have just started making quilts. I am ready to finish my 4th. I want to learn FMQing. My Bernina Bernette 680 is about to "buy the farm", and the ladies at the sewing center suggested I trade it in for the next level up ( Bernina Bernette 66). I don't want a fancy machine, just one I can trust to handle my quilting adventures. I can get apprx. $250.00 for my 680 to put towards the 66. Should I go with this, or is there a better brand/type of machine for me???? "Simple" is my middle name. Nothing complicated.

Honestly, I've not heard anything good about Bernettes and they not made by Bernina, but for Bernina. I would take that money and buy a different machine. Have you searched Craigs List or considered a different brand?

Well, that explains why I've never been very happy with this machine. Yes, I am considering a different brand, but I am after some ideas from "seasoned" quilters. Please remember: Nothing extravagant! :lol:

I recently purchased a singer from joanns (all brands shop inside) to take to classes and to friends to quilt. It cost $250.00 is a simple machine, user friendly, has blanket stitch which I use for appliqué sometimes, and came with many different feet. Ohhhh I just remembered they are selling a nice singer at Costco similar to the one I described but less money. Keep in mind when you make your decision that with quilting it's a lot of piecing, meaning alot of straight stitches. Good luck, let us know what you end up choosing.

Buy an old Singer 300, 400 or 500 series. You will hand it down to your kids. You cannot beat them, they sew beautifully, quietly, you can easily do your own maintenance and nothing in that price range can hold a candle to an older machine.

I have the Singer 301 and it's a perfect for piecing and machine quilting. It's not fussy about what type of thread I use either. I have the high speed Brother 1500 and I use it for piecing and machine quilting my bigger quilts. Some days I like to sew on one machine then the other. You can't go wrong with a real Bernina, no matter what model if you have a dealer close by. I would suggest looking at the high end Kenmores. They are really nice for not a fortune invested.

I would buy a Janome.

You gals are awesome! Thanks! Keep the recommendations coming, they are so helpful!

I would have answered but I'm not a "gal"

Ok, smartypants what's your opinion :-D ? I'm interested in both gender's opinions!

I bought a Bernette 5 years ago and loved the machine. It just didn't do everything I wanted to do as I advanced in quilting. I have traded up twice and currently have a Bernina 630 which is wonderful. You can get a lemon in any machine. A friend had a Jenome that she repaired constantly. I sewed for years on a Singer but they aren't made that well anymore. My daughter and a cousin both bought a low end Brother a year ago and really like it for basic sewing and quilting. You might go to a local dealer and look into a reconditioned higher end machine. Good Luck!

If you're getting into FMQ you'd want to look for one with a long throat! If a new Pfaff is too much, perhaps a used one. The IDF (built in walking foot) would certainly be a bonus.

I have a Pfaff that I bought in 1986 and it is still purring along. It has gotten a lot of use and probably abuse. I have had no major problems but have it serviced regularly. It has a lot of good features, built-in walking foot, needle down, reverse, will sew easily over thick fabrics such as denim.

Janome is the best! IMHO!

my suggestion would be to look for a Juki or a janome 1600.
these are very basic machines, straight stitching and a larger throat..i think 9inches.
you may be able to pick up a used one at a sew and vac place or on craigs list.
no fancy stitches at all. i had the juki 98QT i think, and it is a very good industrial machine. if i had known about the janome 1600P, i would of gotten that one.

littlelambseativy - as you have probably guessed you ask 50 quilters that question and you will get 50 different answers.

Here is my 2 ¢ worth of advice.

I am a Pfaff person - I love the IDT foot that they have - it is a even feed foot (something like a walking foot). That being said, all major manufactures make good machines. It is all about $$ and features. If you want to FMQ, then you need to look at throat sizes. I have have Babylock, Viking and Pfaffs - all of which were excellent machines. My last two machines were purchased used - one from a dealer the other from Craigslist. The dealer gave a warranty which was nice. If you are new to quilting, a dealer sale may be what you want because they not only give lessons but are there to help when you are at wits end with a problem.

Go to all the dealers around you and look for the best deals - after having worked for a Viking dealer - I will tell you that there is always room for negotiation - if not on price then on features. Ask for their best price - and then ask for additional items - like a walking foot, extra needles, if they have it - a clear plastic table or whatever else you think you might like. You might be surprised what you can get. The bigger dealers can even do free financing for a year.

Good luck!!

My vote is for a Juki 98Q, I love mine and would have nothing else

go for the Janome, if there is a dealer in your area maybe they have a machine that someone traded in you could get for less money. Good luck

Well, my first love will always be a Bernina. I've had mine almost 15 years, still sews like the first day. Now it was a lot of money, but my only purchase for myself from my dad's estate.

I also have a Janome Platinum 760 for classes. Bernina's are still metal inside the plastic housing, so my main machine is very heavy. Janomes are also a good brand.

There's a Yahoo group, SewitsforSale, that has machines listed several times a week for sale. They also have materials, notions, books, etc. I highly recommend it. If I were going to buy another machine, I'd probably start looking in the used market first. Gently used and well maintained. you can get some great machines for considerably less than they originally cost.

I bought a Janome 6500 from my former Singer dealer about 5 years ago. No comparison - the Janome is a far better machine & you should see the 6600 quilting features. I am going to trade up next Spring. I'm very happy w/ my machine.

I agree that the old Singers are by far the most reliable and best when it comes to simple piecing and some quilting. I recently went with a Husqvarna Lily, which I do like for machine quilting, but my tried and true Singer 301 is my favorite!

I love my Bernina but I also love my old Singers. They are such a joy to sew on!

I just discussed this topic with an LQS owner who also repairs all kinds of machines. She is a very talented lady! She said that she knows of quite a few people who are having trouble with the new Janomes. Her best recommendation is one of the older models of the Pfaffs. She says she likes the new ones too but they are not as good as an older one with less circuitry and plastic.
She said that the problems with most of the new machines is that they are too complicated with trying to put too much into one machine.
Now that I have said all that I will also tell you she is a Pfaff dealer. I believe I can trust her since she is that honest.

Well, a different opinion about buying a machine from Craigslist--you should try any machine you buy and unless you know to thread and run many different machines, you may have trouble being sure that a used machine is really in good working order and won't give you trouble. You won't get a warranty or any help from a Craigslist seller if you have problems.

I've bought three used machines from my local Bernina dealer, which were tradeins. They were carefully checked out and serviced before they were put out for sale, and they actually guaranteed them for a short time--I think 30 days. I got a really great deal on each of them, and the store personnel can help you figure out how to thread them, etc. and you can try them out right there at the store. Hope you have a dealership where you live! That's my recommendation for you!

Dana

Good luck, I have two Juki TL 98QE, large throat straight stitch, which is all I do, I piece on 1 and quilt on the other. Good machines.

There's a great site at www.patternreview.com that has a machine search wizard where you can pick the features you want in a machine and it will bring up machines and reviews with those features. Maybe give that a try and see what options are out there that tickle your fancy!

Oh Scrappydoo, you are so helpful, as are all of the others! Thank you all so much! :thumbup:

I love my Bernina and as someone said before they are alot. But, they are all metal housing and gears. My last machine had plastic gears. Paid $99 and had it for 25 years so I got my moneys worth. But when it broke that was it. Repairman couldn't find parts.

If I had to go out and but another machine today...I would look on ebay at the Pfaff preferrably the Quilt Expression or the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire. Both have very large beds for putting those large quilts through for FMQ.

Honestly if it has plastic on it I would not even bother with it. To many vintage machines out there to be had that will do anything you want for way less than half of the price. I have several machines for sale that would be perfect for you and they are all under $100 shipping included and you will not be able to kill them. And they all have been freshly serviced and run like they did fresh out of the box!

Billy

Hey Billy! That sounds good! Where do I go to see these machines? I am very interested in seeing what you have. I have received soooo many great opinions. As of now, I've decided just to locate a darning foot for my inherited Singer, and take my time looking for my next "friend". I am also researching all of the machines mentioned here. You've all been great!