I am looking to buy a new sewing machine. The one a have is a very cheep Singer and it is now making a really loud noise. Since it is so cheep I think I would be money ahead to just replace it. I'd like to stay in a budget of around $300-$400. I would like to be able to use it to FMQ. Can I get a machine to do that in my budget amount. Any suggestions would be appriciated.

I always recommend thrift stores and yard sales. Usually these are older machines that have all metal parts that you can learn to clean and service yourself. Most of these machines have already outlived one owner, and like a parrot are looking for someone to take them in.

I am sure there are lots of machines that will fit into your budget, old or new, happy shopping!

On Ebay you can get a really good Singer FW for that or less

Does the feather weights have the drop and sew bobbins or are they all in that bobbin case that is really hard to figure out without thinking really bad words. I jhave a Older singer that my brother gave me for free but I cant get the bobbin back in the little metal thing, and when I get it in it, I can't reach down under the machine with my too short fingers to get it working.

I am planing to look this weekend for the town-wide rummages.

Yes they have the side bobbin but the little table lifts up and it is so easy to insert & takeout the bobbin case. It is quiet and you can repair them yourself.

Thanks. That does sound easy. :D

The featherweights are too tiny to do FMQ. Look on the machines to see if you can drop the feed dogs. I saw a machine here at a yard sale that looked like it was from the 60's, the cabinet looked very nice. I already have 9 machines so I kept driving, but I sure wanted to go back!

I would think that if you are willing to go used you should be looking at less than $100. I would then take it to have professionally cleaned and have a tune up, after that you should be able to take care of it yourself.

You can also ask at local quilt shops......they often have machines that people have traded-in.
Many ladies at UFO days, have purchased the Janome Gem and they love the machine.

I can only tell you what I would do (because I can ... it is available to me). I would go to my local sewing machine dealer with whom I've dealt for nearly 30 years and look at his refurbished machines. I've bought them before ... and have gotten what were very expensive machines when they were new, at the price of a cheap one, but these previously owned ones are trade-ins, have been serviced by the shop and are a wonderful bargain. The key to this is to have a dealer that you trust ... both to tell you the truth and to be knowledgeable about what machines he sells.

I would look for a used one too! The dealer might be a great place to start, for trade ins. Good luck!

Theold belt driven Singers are wonderful for FMQ. They are heavy and don't have plastic gears to break like the newer machines and are less than $100.00. I have a big Janome, a Pfaff, a Brother with the big arm, a Singer FW for piecing but its the old reliable Singer black monster that does my FMQ. I have one that the feed dogs drop and a bigger head that I put a plastic plate over the feed dogs and it is great mainly because i won't move around on me as I do a big quilt.

I'm learning so much from all you ladies.

Try Sears-my kenmore has been a great machine for me. I've had it close to 30 years and prefer to piece on that instead of a much more expensive Viking.

go to the different sewing places and test drive them

Weezie is right. You can really get a nice machine for a good price. The added bonus, is that you will have someone that can service your machine as well as offer you instruction on using it. A good dealer is worth their weight in gold. Good luck on finding your perfect machine.

I often look on Trading Posts or other local papers and websites. Often people are downsizing, or moving or just can't sew anymore and their machines are perhaps not needed by other's in their family. There are bargains to be had, and if you are lucky, there are often lots of extra bits and pieces thrown in.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

My Kenmore does everything wonderfully
EXCEPT FMQ!! I've spent 6 months practicing and the bottom of my pratice quilt is full of eyelashes whenever I try to do curves. You might have totally different experience. Love it for piecing and decorative stitching but it is very picky about thread you use and everything when you try to do FMQ. Haven't been able to get anything that is passable.

You could look on Craigslist, there are some good deals on there sometimes.

Wal-Mart sells an assortment of Brothers that are cheap.
My advice is to purchase the best that you can afford and has the 'bells and whistles' that you want.

Check out the machine dealers in your area. I got a great buy on a Pfaff. It was last years model.