SO I broke out my machine over the weekend and it doesn't work. :( I had purchased a couple of small kits from Joann's and was anxious to give it a whirl,but no dice. So, I'm in the market for a new machine.

I've read that the Janome's were good machines. Does anyone have an opinion on them? I'm looking to spend no more than $300 on a machine. I had found one a few days ago, but can't remember the model #.

Anyway, I was hoping to get some recommendations on machines in that price range. Anyone have any suggestions? It doesn't have to be a Janome, just something that is good quality and will last. I'm completely clueless on sewing machine brands. :o

I did lots of research and I would highly recommend http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews for sewing machine reviews. They list the good, the great, the bad and of course the ugly. I have an Elna 2600 through a dealer you can buy it between $250 and $500 depending on the day and the sale. I love this little machine. It would and has worked it's self nearly to death (death wouldn't be even on the horizon if UPS hadn't dropped my poor machine). And even with all that I can still convince it to work for me.

Any sewing machine you think you might be interested in you can plug into that website they are listed by Brand and then by date, so you do have to sort through the list, but they also so a price paid, so you'll know if you're in the proper price range.

Don't forget to think about what you need and what in a sewing machine. Do you want to be able to use your old sewing machine feet for instance? Perhaps you would prefer electronic over mechincal? Are a lot of stitches important or do you prefer to have length and width control?

I have a Janome and love it, it is a workhorse and have had it for 10 years with no problems.
I would like to get a new one that has a longer arm but haven't found one yet. So the Janome is highly recommended by me anyway.

I have 2 newhome /Janome mx3123 and we bought our daughter one also.
Am very satisfied with the machine, it has 23 decreative stitches.

I have a Kenmore made by Janome - Sears 19-900-and pleased with it. 50 stitches, heirloom , embroidery, and quilting capabilities. It's quiet, easy to operate, has nifty features like needle up/down positions, and stitching in place. I got a great price for it on sale, but I think the usual cost is just below $300.

Ruth Camp did a lot of research a couple months back - look at her threads about what people like and dislike about their machines. I think you'll find them useful.

Like Elizabeth said, you can find Elna's in that price range that are very good, not top of the line, but they should last you. I would stay away from the Singers though, personal opinion and that of many people I think you will find. They are not like they used to be.

Count me in for the Janome I have the Qilters Companion and love it .Wilma

Janome is my first choice, I have three of them and they are trouble free. Marge

They are all good machines.......at least if you get a good machine. The only Machine available localy for me {within 10 miles] was a Kenmore. The majority agreeded its good to have the dealer close by. I spent about 250 with tax and the feet I wanted.

I have two other Kenmores and old singers all thrift store finds......I thought about it and I like Kenmore

I would tell you go with the brand YOU know and like....good luck :D

Be aware that Singer , Husquvarna Viking and Pfaff are all owned by the same company. Also Elna is owned by Janome. Some of the intro level Bernina machines are made by Brother so watch out for sales in any of those and you can probably get a pretty good deal. Kenmore contracts out for their machines and puts a different plastic cover on the whoever gives them the best contract. That can change from year to year. Good luck on your quest.

~~Jennifer

I'm in the process of shopping for a macine right now too. I've been looking at some on ebay and I think the prices are very good. I don't mind if it's a good used machine. There are a lot of vacuum, sewing machine dealers on ebay that recondition their trades ins and then sell them on ebay. Most of them have at least 90 day gaurantees. I'm interested in a Janome or a Husqvarna. I've heard they are real workhorses too.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Now to start my quest. I am so anxious to start on these kits that are sitting on my table teasing me. :lol:

Can't I have it all?? :lol:

Thats a great website, I checked on my machine. It had good and bad reviews. I seem to have the same dislikes and likes.
I have the H.Viking Saphire 830.
I bought it for the 10 inch throat which is wonderful.

Think about getting a really good used machine vs. a lesser new machine. Even used machines come with guarantees.

Our local Bernina shop sells so many Berninas, they have a supply of good machines when a buyer moves up in model. If you pay "X" for a machine, they give you full credit when you move up, thus a used machine that may be less than a year old. And they also have demonstrators.

Suz

I would keep and eye on Craigslist for a machine.

Oh Honey, I wish we could have it all but not that I could find in the under $300 price range.

Like Mocha said Elna is now owned by Janome, but also in that group is New Home and Kenmore. They all use the snap on feet, which seems to be pretty standard now. But truly I think it's wonderful how smooth that is.

Hmm, oh stitches, be carefull, sewing machine companies know that some people only look for number of different stitches, so they'll offer 70 or a hundred etc. but if you look at them you will see they are really very similiar stitches just different lengths and widths.

My Elna is a 2600, which isn't their cheapest machine, but certainly is not considered a high end machine. I got it on ebay and all over are posts of the troubles I have been through because it was damaged in shipping. I bought online one because I hate confrontation and having to explain over and over to sales people what I want, and two I don't like rubbing elbows with strangers and three the hard sell thing.

I found my sewing machine the very next morning after my auction closed(which I had watched from the day it listed) at a nearly local dealer offering me a 2 year parts and labor (I think it's got like 25 years for the rest) for only $9 more than my auction had closed on my "lightly used" one. Trust me after that I would shop the dealers. Listen to what they have to say, and don't let them bully you into a sale, those kits can wait for you to get the best deal not only for your money but for your own needs.

I sew on the Jenome Jem Gold. It's about 300 bucks. It's great. I like it more than all of my mom's computer driven fancy sewing machines.

There is only one thing about it that I don't like and that is it doesn't have the satin stitch on it.

But, I don't need it for much.

I've been sewing on it for a couple of years now and it finally had to go in the shop for service.

It's a great little workhorse though. I can't wait to get it back.

I have a friend who bought one a few months ago. She is new to sewing, and is having a great time.

I have a Bernina and have had one for a long time. I love it and have never had any problems with it. That being said, it's also a lot more expensive. That wasn't the case when I bought it.

M

Aren't the Jem's 3/4 machines?

I have a Janome Jem Gold 660 and love it. It's a small portable machine, great for classes. It's also a workhorse of a sewing machine. Good luck with your shopping.

Consumers Report recommends Bernina and H.Viking as the best machines.

You CAN have it all Moonhoney ---- but you have to PAY for all!!! :D :D

I just saw a machine that you may like very reasonable and free shipping here is the site http://www.allbrands.com/index.html