I think it is dead :(...so I am looking for a replacement...but these times is tough...know what i mean?....I found a Brother CS 6000I that looks like it would fill the bill...but I dont know about long term....

I am also considering a Janome...anyone familair w/ the Magnolia series?

Help....and good deals online?

I got the 6000i as an x-mas gift a few years ago, and I love her. She is my least expensive machine but the easiest to use. I found I do all my stipple quilting on her.

I have a much more expensive Brother machine and a new Bernina 730 but she is so easy to use, and lightweight. For the $$$, a good purchase.

I found this and it might be helpful to you.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ReviewTitleBar

Has reviews as well.
K

depending on what you want to do with your machine - -

I bought a a couple (well, actually three, altogether) old Singer Fashionmate Model 237 machines and had them serviced.

Counting cost, shipping, and servicing, I have between $70 and $150 in each of the machines.

They sew beautifully -

The only two complaints I have about them are: they are heavy and not easily portable - they can be carried around, but they weight quite a bit. (If you really want to know approximately one weighs, I could go down and put one on a bathroom scale).
The other complaint is that the thread holder is really rinky-dink and either comes off easily or breaks off. So I use a separate thread holder.

So if you just want something that does a decent zigzag and straight stitch, you might consider some of the older singers.

I saw that Brother online at Walmart and am considering it...I wonder how it would hold up long term....

the Janome dealer near me was $200 for very basic...but plan more like $450-700 for something w/ some features...I noticed a Janome Magnolia online for about $200.better buy long term?....tough when there is so many necessities to pay for (fuel, food)... sewing is just for fun for me...therapeutic though ;)

Angie

I have had my Brother CS6000i for almost a year, and love it. I started some machine quilting and my girls gave it to me for Christmas. My only complaint is the smaller space in the arm area. Sometimes it is hard to even change needles/feet, and my hands are not large. I love the extras that come with this machine. But do check out that space, as makes it difficult to move a large quilt around in.

Angie--I read a lot of the reviews--and it sounds like the Brother is a good option...

I think you need to have a special service for your machine. :(

I have the Cs6000i and so does Bev on here we both love the machine. Easy to use changing the needle isn't bad at all just a little hard getting under the feeddog plates to clean it out. Other than that I have had mine for a year now and holding up strong.

I bought this machine almost two years ago to be used as a class machine, (my Elna was to heavy to cart to class and the brohter weights only 8 pound), it is a nice little machine, it does everything my $2000 machine does for $200, its really a great buy. ITs set up all the time in the sewing room as I do less classes now. I have MORE than got my money's worth from that machine. There's my 2 cents. Good luck !
Gail

When I was checking out a new machine, I looked over the reviews on http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews
I was looking for an embroidery machine and found it very helpful.

Mary

OK I think I have it narrowed down to these 3

Magnolia 7318
http://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines...hines_Overview

about $200

Magnolia 7330
http://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines...hines_Overview

about $350

or the Brother cs6000i
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ReviewTitleBar

$178..

I would like to still be able to use whatever machine I use 10 yrs down the road....

Guide me oh wise quliters...

and thanks for all the advise so far....

Angie

I have it. I LOVE IT.....

I would stay away from the newer Singers.

Janome makes Janomes, Elnas, and Kenmores

Brother makes Brother, but several Babylocks are exactly the same as their Brother counterparts.

White contracts their stuff out to whomever will make the lowest bid. Singer has also been struggling, certainly not what they used to be.

Do you have a Janome dealer that you're planning to buy from? If so talk to them about warranties ect. A year or more of having your machine taken care of will more than make up for those cost differences.

I have a 7 year old high end Brother and it's amazing. I have an "entry level" Elna (the 2600 - sells for $250 when onsale at my dealer) and it's a so so machine.

Sorry to hear your machine is unhappy. Hopefully you can get things sorted out and taken care of without spending to much and being away from your sewing for long.

My Kenmore is the same as the Janome Red machine. I've had it a year almost, and it still exceeds my expectations. Ask about price protection if it goes on sale between now and Xmas, and you can get back the difference, since the sales are mainly between Thanksgiving and Christmas for sewing machines.

I also have the Brother CS6000i and I really like it. I also have another Brother machine that I used all the time before I got the cs6oooi , I have had it for over 10 years and it still runs great. I never have any tension problems with either machine, and to me that's a biggie.

I have four Janome's and a 350E Janome Emb. machine and I love all of them. I have traveled all over the country with them and they work like a charm. NO worries with Janome's! GiGi :D :D

I'd hit Craigslist and look at estate sale listings. There are a lot of gently used newer sewing machines if you look for them.