When I wanted to buy a serger I called my quilt shop to see what they recommended and to see if they had any used ones. She recommended a Janome that cost more then I wanted to pay. She told me to forget buying a cheaper one because it would be so frustrating to use that I'd never use it. Wrong. I bought the Brother 1034 and I love it.

I hate it when people look down on us for what we have or don't have. I have expensive machines and cheap machines. These same people can't tell which one I have used to sew or embroidery on. I am just a poor girl from Arkansas and try to do the best I can. That is what most people do. I am always looking for a bargain and am not ashamed to say I buy cheap when I can. We have a Singer Dealership here where I live and they are so sweet to me. They are all wonderful people and would never make fun of any machine I have. As some of the others have said, just go ahead and get what you can out of this class and look around to find another one you might enjoy more. I have a Brother and it is cheap but it will sew anything. That was the reason I bought it because it will sew thick material.
I guess I have ranted long enough. Enjoy your Brother and learn, that is what I am doing. Have a great day. Joy

I had a similar problem with a Brother machine purchased from Amazon - took it into a local authorized dealer for repair
and was given a very hard time because I did not purchase the machine from them. Complained to Brother headquarters and did not get any satisfaction.

Oh my gosh! I bought my machine on ebay, 2 year old Elegante 2 for a fabulous price, got to know the seller and have been amazingly please with the machine. I called local dealer and asked if I could purchase classes and he refused because I did not buy the machine from him and was quite arrogant! I called a LQS that had previously sold these machine and she gave me an unlimted lesson for $20! The worst thing got the dealer is that he has lost about 10 potential customer (I was so appalled that I mention it to every quilter that I meet!)

"Same at the Pfaff shop..he is only allowed to work on Pfaff machines"

Not so where I bought my Pfaff, they are an authorized Pfaff dealer who sells and repairs all brands of machines.
They aren't a quilt shop so that maybe the difference.

EllieGirl, REMEMBER we are QUILTERS!!!! That makes us the people who see BEAUTY, GRACE and GREAT DEALS all around us. We come from STRONG! stock. We learn to make SOMETHING from NOTHING!!!! We know how to make people feel love (from the things - sewing & quilting), we make. Some of us sew by HAND. Some sew on a machine OVER 100 yerar old (with out power other than from them). Still others sew on HAND-ME-DOWN machines (from friends, sisters, mothers and grandmothers). And still others sew on NEW machines (that some can only dream about). Even after all the different quilters, machines and kinds of quilts - we ALL do the same thing in different ways. But we do this for the SAME reason - THE LOVE OF QUILTING!!!!!! Remember your quilts show YOUR HEART AND SOUL!!!! not your machine. People do not see your machine, they see YOU and YOUR LOVE AND KINDNESS. Never feel BAD about anything you make or use to make your gifts from the heart.

When I took a class at one of our LQS's the lady there also made some snobby remark about my new Janome, but when I took a class at another LQS the instructor told us if any of us was having an attitude about machines, to leave our attitude at the door. I really enjoyed that class.

There is a sewing machine etc. store here in my area and they have been in business since the early 70's and I took my sewing/embroidery machine in for a service and was looking at their "used machines (many which are quite nice and well priced) - did not find anything so looked at a new BrotherX650 which they were demoing - they wanted $999. so I looked on Ebay and found the same machine (which is now renamed but the same Brother machine) online at Ebay for $650 no tax, no shipping - factory serviced. It was new but had been used in a Brother exhibition (whatever they call it). I am the original owner with all the benefits. Got it from a sewing machine company somewhere near New Orleans and was able to call their 800 number for additional info. It works like a charm and I saved several hundred $$$. Needless to say, the store would not be happy to hear this and I would have to pay for any class I take but it is so similar to my Babylock Ellegeo.

I have a Brother SQ9000, not the most expensive machine avalible and yes mass produced, but what I can afford. I would love to afford one of the high end machines with all the bells and whistles or even one without all the bells and whistles, but I make do with what I have. It sews just fine for what i'm doing. Around here it seems at the LQS the average class is about $50 or so. To me that isn't a bad price for someone sharing their knowledge and showing you how to do something.
When I posted a topic recently about my Brother locking up when I got a thread jam and I kinda apologized for the machine not being the best, someone told me to never apologize for my equipment. So I won't anymore.
If your machine does what you want it to do, gives you features you like then enjoy it and make many lovely quilts with it. If others can't deal with that, then it's on them.

What is the big deal
 

Hi
I dont' believe I posted here yet, but with this note, I had too.
Expensive sewing machines have their place. I have several antique machines that I LOVE better than my viking. I do like my viking, but alas, also love my oldies but goodies. Beautiful quilts come from all different sources. Look to the antiques where no machines were used. You don't need a $2500..00 sewing machine to make beautiful things. Just skill. I learned to hand piece and quilt before using a machine. I love the process and the satisfaction of a job well done by any means. Use your machine and love the process. That is what is important and you can not go wrong. Your equipment is just part of the process. Enjoy it all. Don't let others diswade you from your goal. Be creative and have fun.