Need help deciding on machine...
 

Hello everyone! I am new here. I have been lurking for awhile trying to make a decision. I am more than open to suggestions. I am a beginner to intermediate sewer and I am just starting to learn quilting. I currently have a Singer 5050c which I will be keeping as a backup machine. I am looking for a computerized machine under $400. The main qualities I am looking for is a decent sized harp, auto threading, auto tension, needle up/down, and a decent amount of stictches. Anything else is gravy or I can live without.

My current forerunner is the DC 3050 by Janome. I have also been looking at the Janome 7330/8077, Brother CS6000i, Brother HC1850, and Singer 9960. Please feel free to steer me in a direction I have not been looking at.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I would go to a local quilt show where many dealers will have numerous machines set up for you to give a trip around the blcoks. You need to test drive them to see what suits you and your budget. I bought my Bernina 1530 over 15 years ago and have never regretted that purchase. Skip the Singer.

I agree with ManiacQuilter2, if you don't have a quilt show coming up go to the dealers. Leave all your money and credit cards at home because you want to test several before making a decision. (I am horrible with impulse buying so that is why I say leave your money at home.) I bought my Janome MC 6600P when I went to my local dealer which is also the largest quilt shop in San Diego county and it did all I wanted and more, and they did not try to sell me more than I wanted. It was on sale because they were making room for the new models so I felt confident it getting it. I bought it before belonging to the QB and didn't have any friends that sewed. I wanted the lessons that came with a new machine too.

If you have the time pre-shop all brands of machines available in your area. Add this to going to a quilt expo or such and you will have more knowledge. Then the bonus is that on the last day of any quilt expo or large show dealers often will give you great deals rather than take the machines back to the stores.

Ditto what she said and welcome to the board

Take a look at the Juki line if you have a local store nearby.

Thank you all for the suggestions! I did go to a few local stores and there is one model I am looking at. A pre owned Baby Lock. The Janome dealer didn't have a 6600 and that was a model I really wanted to see.

Keep visiting when possible, test driving machines until you find ( The One) you love. Buying a machine is like buying a car-- try out as many as you can. We are all different with different likjes/ dislikes. Find the one You like. All you mentioned are good machines, plus many more

I will discuss the Janome 3050 since I own that one. It does NOT have needle up and down. It is a 3/4 machine. It does NOT have a large harp. I would never try to "quilt" a quilt top on my 3050. I did not buy it for that purpose. It is an older model and Amazon had it for $449.00 the last time I looked. They do not have any on Amazon at this time and they are not sure if they will have. Probably discontinued. I paid $499.00 for mine in 2006. It is computerized. I love my 3050 but it is my portable machine to take on vacation or to class. It is great for piecing/sewing.

You will not find a large harp in your price range. My everyday machine is my Janome 9900. I do use the embroidery once in a while but I mostly sew on it. MSRP is $4,999.00.

Now, my next opinion has to do with "go to a large show". If you do NOT do your homework before you get to the show, you may NOT get that infamous "deal" on a machine. The top machine dealers vend at shows and they know how to sell machines. You are all excited and they can read you. ( you had better know general pricing, features, bring your list of which machine you are TRULY interested in because you did a lot of research online, on vendor websites, read reviews, compared/listed features, etc. asked friends....) honestly, I bought a serger at a huge show and my regret was that I did NOT know pricing beforehand. Did I get a "deal"? To this day I am not sure. It does not matter because my seger was shipped from their store that same day. Too late to back out of the deal. I like my serger but rarely use it. My bad.

What I did NOT get was a local dealer for support, classes, one on one instruction, etc. You will not get a lot of time to just play on a machine at a show...IMHO. if these things do not interest you then go shopping at a show. Frankly, I feel bad that I did not work with a local shop.

Buying a machine is like buying a car. Go to vendor sites and start making comparisons. Go into shops armed with info. Expect to make compromises from one machine to another. Best of success in shopping!

sandy

The JANOME 6600 is a great machine, SO IS THE 8900....I have both and love how they sew and free motion.

I have some real reservations about machine models that are "low end" of major brands.
Be careful about those made with plastic parts in China and Taiwan because plastic parts will warp with heat created by heavy machine use-like free motion quilting. What about shopping for a used machine. I agree that you should go to a dealer that has lots of different brands-if you are open to that. I have heard nothing but good things about JUKI if you want a lower price workhorse of a machine. I happen to be a Bernina gal and have loved several over the years. As others have said, don't be in a hurry and do your homework.

One thing you might do is check out the previously loved and open boxes at your local quilt shop. The closest two to me are both having inventory clearance. Big savings. Your money might go farther! I personally am a Viking fan, but the Janome is nice too! Those are the only brands close to me.

I've had a Janome 3160 for about 5 years. I paid $550 at the time. It has been a wonderful machine. I "graduated" to a much larger throat, but still love this one for classes and back-up.

Excellent price! I think the MSRP is $999
sandy

I would not get too hung up on the "decorative stitches"..the basics will be there. BUT I did want the Serpentine stitch!! It is on my 9900 but not on my 3050. Maybe it was not available at the time. My Janome 9700 does not have a serpentine stitch either . $2200 machine at the time.
sandy

Stay away from newer Singers, a couple of our gals at quild bought them and they didn't last much over a year. I have a new Juki TL98, has a larger harp but is straight stitch only and is a workhorse. I thought I wanted a Bernina & bought 2, because, well, just because, & I don't like them at all, they are expensive to service, feet are expensive, complicated to learn, expensive to buy & I just don't use them except to collect dust. My Janome 6600 is my favorite for everything. Bought it as a floor demo & didn't exactly get a deal. Didn't get classes or any perks either. Look for a good used machine of your choice, a lot of ladies, just like the men, want to trade up to a newer model so there are usually a lot of good used machines around. The Juki, Brother, Janome, Bernina are rarely ever used up. Your price range is limiting & you may not get everything you want, but do we ever? lol Good luck. let us know what you decide and what you like and don't like.

I have the Janome 6600. It's wonderful. I purchased mine used from a dealer, but have since seen several used on Craigslist for as low as $725. I've quilted up to a double sized quilt on mine.

I'm not shopping YET for a new one but I noticed here that I don't see any mention of Baby Lock. They must be much more expensive.

Baby Lock was one of the manufacturers that I considered when buying my new machine (the other manufacturers were Janome and Bernina).

In case you don't know, Baby Lock is an American corporation. Brother manufactures the Baby Lock sewing machines. In many cases you can find a twin Baby Lock machine for a Brother machine e.g. Baby Lock Crescendo and Brother Dream Weaver. You will find that the Brother machines cost substantially less than the Baby Lock machines and are the same machine.

I love my 8900. I bought it after going through a Viking Designer 1 and a Pfaff. Definitely, try different machines.

My friend and I both traded our 6600 in for the 8900 and in some ways I still like the 6600 better. It could be that I am just more used to it. I live in northern Indiana, and I know my dealer has many 6600's for sale that were trade-in's for trade-ups. Definitely check out used machines.

If you have a Singer dealer near you, have a look at the S18. It is made by Janome for Singer and is the same machine as the Janome 6500P for a little less money. It has the larger harp space, needle down, thread cut, tons of stitches, many dedicated for quilting and so far it's been fantastic. My only complaint is that the light is only on one side of the needle so I had to get an accessory lamp, but that's pretty minor. Anyhow, if you're looking at the Janome, you might consider the Singer as it's the same machine.

Watson

I'm sorry to say, but under $400 will not buy a machine with the longer throat, unless its a used machine. I have the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2, it has a 10" throat and built in walking foot. It's wonderful for all my quilting/sewing. I am a quilter and also make garments and bags.
Sharon in Texas

My 1st janome I purchased from a dealer at the Houston quilt show. It was one that classes were taught on at the show. Got it for half price. And I have quilted a king size on it. That one was a 6500 now have a 6600p. Love my janome.

I love my Baby Lock machines but they are much higher in price.

If you are looking for a quilting machine, you may give the straight-stitch machines a look. Brother and Juki have those and you get high speed, large throat, built-in scissors, needle up-down. They are work horses with relatively large bobbins but they do like their oil. You will not get any frills.

When I was in the market, I made a list of MUST HAVE features and a list of BE NICE TO HAVEs. Then I compared different brands and models. Test driving is super important. And have fun!

I agree, a good secondhand machine may be the way for you to get closer to all the features you want. Having said that I would advise caution in buying secondhand privately. If you buy secondhand through a dealer/LQS you will get back up and support. I bought my secondhand Bernina privately and whilst I love the machine to bits I have struggled to learn all its complexities even with you tube and internet. I did pay for some classes at a local (not so local) dealer but they were a bit "ho hum" with me as I hadn't purchased from them and I don't know that I got any real value for my class cost. In my case it has very much been a lonesome, learn by error journey learning how to use and care for my 710.

I bought a Janome DC 1050 four years ago and used it a lot. Paid $299 from Mr. vac and Mrs Sew online. They have great customer service. It was all I wanted to spend until I found out whether quilting was a new hobby that would "stick". I have a reputation for being a crash and burn hobbyist, but quilting is an obsession after 4 years! That one has needle up/down, auto threader (though it's junky IMO) , a bazillion stitches I never used, not a large throat (wont find that in your budget). It was smooth and sweet. I still have it. I decided that Janome is my kind of machine, so I saved up and saved up for the 8200 with my part time $$. Then my sweet hubby gave it to me for my 50th bday this past August and I love,love,love It! He conceded that quilting had "stuck"! And I still have all the $$ I had saved up!

My second favorite brand is Brother. You can get a Project Runway model I think in your budget? I bought my DIL one new at a yard sale for $75. After trying it out, I wanted to keep it but that wouldn't be very nice of me, would it? I found it to feel sturdier than the Janome 1050, but stitched equally well, and no up/down needle or auto threadervif I'm remembering right.

A few weeks ago I bought a Brother SQ9185 from Walmart for $200.00. Not a large harp but I have quilted a twin size quilt on it--just straight stitch, haven't tried FMG yet. It has needle down which I wanted, needle threader but I haven't used it, sews a lovely stitch and has lots of decorative stitches and a drop in bobbin.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am still looking and the more I look the more my head spins! I am not sure if I just want a cheaper model for now and in a few years I can buy what I really need, or I find should save up and get sort of what I need. Every time I think I might have a decision I see another model I might like...lol.

Oh and the baby lock that I tried was the melody. It sewed like a dream and had all kinds of features that I didn't even know I would want. I have been trying to look for a comparable brother model if possible.

Storm, your head dows spin when considering machines. I think that one way to start narrowing your choices down will be how does the machine feel to YOU. Ergonomics and gut feelings are great indicators in choosing what to purchase...for anything. Take your time and start eliminating . Machines from ne vendor to another will be comparable in features and pricing. That is just basic marketing. You will make compromises. It is your decision
sandy

Storm,

I have been quilting since 2003 and have owned 4 sewing machines in that time. My most recent purchase, Janome 8900, met all of the items on my checklist and kept me within a reasonable budget.

In deciding to buy the Janome, I made a list of the features that I had to have and then went to the various manufacturers websites and determined which machines fit my wishlist.

Since free motion quilting was the most important, I made quilt sandwiches and took them with me when I went to try out the machines. I ended up making my decision based on the quality of the fmq I got on those sandwiches.

I was VERY tempted by a machine that was an amazing deal; however, I just couldn't spend that much money on a machine.

I know that there are many people here who believe that dealer support is very important. I am very hands on and can usually figure something out on my own. In addition, I have had no dealer support on my last 2 machines and the dealer I bought the Janome from hates Janome (have no idea why she sells them) and would have much rather sold me a Brother. I know I can call/visit her if I run into trouble, but her attitude is a little much, so I would rather figure it out on my own. I believe that dealers are somewhat important, but for me, not a deal breaker.

Figure out which machines fit your wishlist/budget, go try them out and trust your gut. Good luck.

I am looking to buy a new machine - exciting and overwhelming! I am keeping my Bernina 1010. I have tested a Bernina 350 and a Juki DX7. Would appreciate any comments/ suggestions!

]I am looking to buy a new machine - exciting and overwhelming! I am keeping my Bernina 1010. I have tested a Bernina 350 and a Juki DX7. Would appreciate any comments/ suggestions!

I tested a Juki DX7 - new on the market September 2015. Does anyone have info on these? I have a 25 yr old Juki serger that has been a workhorse!

Thank you all so so much for your suggestions and input. I keep looking at all the different machines. I think I might have finally narrowed down my choices!!! I am going to another janome dealer this weekend (hopefully with more luck) and a juki dealer. The f300 looks like it might have everything I want including a larger throat space!!!

I am considering the 3160 for classes. I have a 6600p and a new 8900 but both weigh close to 30 pounds and I don't think it's good for the machine to be hauled around so much.

Check them all and take your time when sewing a test at a store. Don't let the dealer rush you. You might consider a used machine considering your budget. You might get more bang for your buck. Also no matter what machine you choose, a great service department in your store is crucial. I love my Bernina but had Viking for years. The service at our Viking store went downhill and I just could not bond with my last Viking. I switched to Berninas and still have the first one I purchased. I traded in my second one for their top of the line model with all the bells and whistles with embroidery.

Hello,
I have a Janome 3050, called a (Decor 3050 here in the UK). I treated myself to it about 4 years ago - after a lot of research - and I love it. It does not have a large throat, mine has a needle up and down button, and auto tension - bliss. My old electric machine nearly made me insane! I have made and quilted about 7 lap quilts, along with curtains, tote bags and some dresses for my grandchildren. It does have some fancy stitches, and there was quite a few feet that came with it. I have treated myself to another slightly larger Janome machine - mainly for the throat size. I am self taught - blogs, U tube and so on. I would say that the 3050 is a good entry machine. I have not had any problems with mine (fingers crossed that none will occur now!) Now, to teach myself, and practice, practice FMQ. Hope this helps somewhat.

I bought the Janome new home quilters machine. It is amazing. It was 599 on hsn. If you want to spend around 800, go for the Juki f600. It is quite a bit bigger and worth the extra.