Need Help Choosing A Machine....Please
 

Hey everyone! I'm new here and hope I've posted this in the correct forum. I've sewn very little in the past. I currently have a Kenmore from the early 90's. I've always said it was the best gift my husband has ever given me although I don't have a clue why. I had never even hinted about wanting a machine and didn't know the first thing about it. Anyway, I've made only a few things in all these years....just never had the interest, until now. I'm now loving the look of all the new computerized machines and have narrowed it down to 2. I actually bought the Brother SQ9050 but haven't opened it yet because I want to be absolutely sure that this one is the one I want. The other machine is the Brother Project Runway PC420. There's a $200 difference between the two. Does the PC420 offer enough extras to justify the $200 difference? I'm interested in making things like the quilted purses, maybe a throw, skirts....nothing huge. I'm still a beginner but I want something that I'm not going to outgrow as, hopefully, my sewing skills improve. Also, I can either order it from Wal-Mart or Amazon. Amazon doesn't offer the option for the extra 3 year extended warranty. Does anyone ever purchase this and do you think it's necessary? I do have a local Brother dealer. Thanks so much for any help you all are willing to give me :)

I don't have a brother but I can tell you unless you are sure you are going to use the extras they are usually not worth it. My machine has tons of fancy stitches that I used only when I got the machine and checked them out! Whatever you do, enjoy the process. Check the warranty carefully, usually they cover all the things that never break!

I have two straight stitch only machines, with 9" throats. They are perfect for all of my quilt making. You will have to decide what you will want to do and make.

Welcome to this wonderful board. You will love it here.

I have read lots of good feedback for both of those machines on this Board. Although I do not own either of those particular machines, I do have two Brothers and they are both great; never had a bit of trouble with them.

By the way, do you know you can search the Board for posts on these machines? Just put the name of the machine in the search box on the front page and you will be shown all the threads that mention the machine. That way you can see lots of opinions!

Thanks ladies! I'm really enjoying this board. I did do the search as you mentioned. Over and over again....lol I've tried to find everything I possibly could on here. I have seen the throat sizes being mentioned here also. I just figure for what I want it for right now, that I don't necessarily need one with a bigger throat but understand that if I wanted to do bigger quilts that that would be a huge plus. My Kenmore still works fine. I guess I'm just more enticed by all the fancy stitches and such.

I have the 420 but I use the 1500 more. It straight stitches only but has the 9" throat. Unless you have used the 9" you don't know how GOOD it is both for piecing and quilting. Since most quilting is just straight stitching you can get a lot of use with it. I only have done lap size but it helps with the center out to have the larger size. I got both of mine from All Brands around $599. It has the needle up down and thread cutter.

I have the brother sq9000 the machine before the sq9050 and I love it! I have made bags, quilts clothes for my kids. It has been a great machine! I think you will be happy either way and I don't know what extras are on the 420 to make it so much more but the sq9000 had everything I ever needed.

I absolutely love my Brother PC420! it sews like a dream. and the feet from my other 2 Brother machines also work with it. So, so glad I bought it.

I've not personally checked out either of the machines you mentioned.
However I was very happy with the basic "cheapie" Brother that I had for several years before passing it on to a friend who did not have a machine. I had started using my Featherweight almost exclusively by then. And I got my DD essentially the same machine for Christmas last year. I know she has no use for the bells and whistles of a more expensive machine.

What features of the more expensive machine are important to you? Will you actually use them often enough to justify the expense?

I was considering buying a very fancy embroidery machine, but decided that even though all those special features were really, really nice, I wasn't likely to use it enough for it to be worth it for me.

Welcome to the board!

I'm a newish quilter who couldn't thread a machine until three years ago. I was surprised by how quickly I 'outgrew' the first machine I bought and quickly moved on to one with more features.

I think it depends on what you're planning to do with your machine. For some people a straight stitch is all they'll ever need or want.

For others, certain features are a necessity - needle down, thread cutter, auto tie-off, etc. (For me it's the auto-pivot as I do a lot of applique). I use quite a few fancy stitches on bindings, gifts and Christmas.

I've read quite a few posts asking similar questions on what machine to buy and the consensus seems to be, "Buy the best you can afford" - you just have to figure out what's best for you, lol. Good luck!