Need recommendation for sewing machine
 

I am looking to buy a sewing machine that will match my special needs. I do mainly quilting, but would also like to do some embroidery as well. My two main priorities are lighting, as I have extremely poor vision, and a large work area. Personally, I would rather have an older quality model without all the bells and whistles, and features I will never use. The Bernina and H. Viking seem to have the best lighting and work area but these are the newer models. I also heard about the magnifying foot available for some Bernina models, and the dual lighting on the H.V.
Would greatly appreciate your advice. Tx

It depends on your price range. I bought the Sapphire 960Q, large work area, wonderful lighting but a little expensive at 2499.00. I think that was on sale at the time. I'm sure you can find a nice used machine if you talk to your dealer and tell her/him what you're looking for. I don't know anything about other machines, I only have Vikings and to date I own 4. I wouldn't part with any of them because they are so well made I've never felt the need to get rid of anything. Go play around on all the machines you're interested in and then make your decision. If you need a payment plan, Viking is having a wonderful sale on a few machines and up to 5 years interest free financing. That's how I bought mine.

thanks for the great advice, I will give them a test drive.

The Janome 12000 has even better lighting than the HV with a led light that you can pull out to flood the working area with light. I'm short sighted and this has been such a boost for me especially since the night lighting in the room isn't particularly great. It also has a lovely big working area.

Not sure what your budget is, but I bought the Brother DreamCreator VM5100 in large part because of the AWESOME lighting. I LOVE it. Well, I love that machine for everything it does, but the lighting is really special.

I have yet to find a machine that wasn't built in the last couple of years with great lighting.

thanks, I should have mentioned that my budget is about $2000.

I would first go to a local quilt show and test drive all the DSM being displayed. You don't buy a car without driving. See what the sales people can help you with whittling down the selection

I have a Janome 6600 $ a Janome 1100SE I love love love these 2 machines. I have several friends that have the same set I do! Test drive them then call around @ used ones. I was blessed with both mine from the sewing shop I used as being traded in for upgraded machines. These 2 are great!!

Viking girl, here is, as well. Just wanted to suggest tha you might consider some stick on led lights as an option if you find a machine that has all of your other needs/preferences but not the lighting you need. Should be available at a home center store for cheaper than a sewing notion shop. Just a thought.

My Juki 2010Q has a large work area and great lighting, but it is straight stitch only.

Wow, Thanks for all the great recommendations. I will be going to all the dealers i can, to try out various machines until i find the right fit. In the meantime, I will get an led light strip to help out. No more purchases without test drives:)

Good idea about stick on lighting/box store price....

If you have vision problems please consider an automatic needle threader. I couldn't sew at all without mine. Also like the thread cutter so I don't accidently cut the fabric.

I have a Viking Diamond, love it, have had it for 4 years. They have a great sale going on right now, interest free for 4 years. Janome is also a great machine, ny friends just purchased a new 15000 and she loves it, it was interest free for 4 years. Both of these machines are expensive and you can buy cheaper ones but this is the ones I love. Hope you find what you are looking for. Just keep in mind how big you think you might want to do embroidery, make sure you get one that will do the largest design you think you might want to do, the first time I didn't keep this in mind and ended up trading up ans costing me more. Just a thought. I also love machine embroidery, no limits to what you can create.

Check out the babylocks, they are so user friendly, you can always get the small lights that attach to the machines for any machine. They have so many items to help now, you just have to look and as your dealer. Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide on.

Viking for sure . I have had mine for years , the are having a great sale now . they had a opal emb machine cheep . a few weeks ago , wish you luck buy close to home so you can get the classes and all the help you need . DottieBug

Baby Lock has great lighting. I have a Baby Lock and bought an LED light to attach to the side of the machine. It has a bendable arm and I can point the light exactly to where I need it. There are also LED strips made to attach to the top of the throat. I think they have 6 lights on them.

Buy the machine you like for the features you need. You can always add more light.

I would go to a show and see what is there and take your time. If you know what you decided on before a show, you can get it at the best price before the show and buy a demo.

Best lighting I have encountered is on the babylock brother V-series, you don't even need lamps, but these are not cheap machines either

Thank you for taking the time to share your advice and wisdom. I am taking notes and making a list of machines to try out. I have decided to take my time looking until I really find the one I will be happy with for the long haul. I also intend to light up my machine like Christmas!!! Great ideas, and talents QBers.

You can always count on the QBers. I have a BL and it has what they call stadium lighting. It really is bright!

Berninas are great machines. Please PM me for additional info. I think I can help you.

I have Brother 3000 and 4000 models, with a Hoop-it-all quilters square frame for the 4000. They gave me no problems and have the easiest user friendly interface ever. I saw a 4000 on ebay Echidna Store last week for around $2000, but that was in Australia.