New basic machine for me...
 

So after Christmas I will be buying a straight-stitch-only Brother machine for quilting with a large harp. My Other machine is a basic machine manual machine but doesn't have a walking foot. So...looking for recommendations for a machine with a Few fancy stitches and a walking foot. Does Not have to be electronic. Just want a machine to take to classes and retreats.

Have you checked out Eversewn? They are getting good reviews and are not expensive.

Just checked them. Good price point but no walking foot. Sadly I'm so fussy...lol

Oh sorry I didn't know that.
I'm sure others will have ideas for you.

look at the "big box" Brother models.
they usually come with a walking foot and some fancy stitches.
even better ... the feet will almost certainly be interchangeable with your straight-stitch model.

I recommend the Sparrow 30 or the Eversewn QE. You can buy a walking foot to fit any brand of machine.

I think Eversewn is worth checking into as you can buy a walking foot (and those machines are getting great reviews). Also agree about the big box Brothers. I also see Janome machines frequently mentioned in this category, such as the Janome Magnolia line. I think you can buy a walking foot for about $40 if one doesn't come with the machine. I know with many of the Brother machines that you can buy online, the walking foot is included. The Brother CS6000i has been around a long time, and people seem to mostly love that little machine!

I love my Brother PC420prw. I got mine from Home Depot when it went on sale for $320. I’ve also seen them on Amazon in the $400 range. Comes with knee lift, 14 feet including a walking foot. Has auto threader, thread cutter, speed control, can sew with or without foot pedal, good selection of utility stitches, heirlom stitches, quilting stitches, satin stitches etc stitches and alphabets, has a largish throat space (7 inches from needle to tower) and presser foot pressure adjustment so you can sew very light fabrics and also thick fabrics. It also has the most well written and extensive owner’s manual I’ve ever seen- I look there before any of my other sewing books whenever I want to learn how to do something. Mine makes beautiful stitches and it is portable ( has handle on top and comes with hard carrying case) though it is heavier than the smaller Brother CS6000i.

You mentioned that you are getting the Brother straight stitch only machine- if it’s the PQ1500 then be aware that that is a high shank machine and most of the other Brother machines like the PC420 are low shank machines so the feet aren’t compatible. But it really doesn’t matter since the Bib box store Brothers come with so many feet.

I have the PQ1500s and love it for piecing and sewing anything really bulky, like home dec or upholstery projects. I use my PC420 for the decorative stitches and repairs like button stitching, darning, etc. and to take with me when I travel.

Rob

Amazon seems to have the best price.

I have what I think you might be referring to, straight stitch Brother? the PQ1500? That one is a high shank and there is a walking foot available for it, but, not really easy to lug to classes. But, yes the big box Brothers are fine machines for that purpose. I have several - one at home, one for the car to take places, one each at each of the son's. Nice machines work straight out of the box and user friendly.

You pay for the walking foot if included. Nothing is free. Buying one to fit the machine you want is no big deal.

https://www.brother-usa.com/products/SM8270

thats the machine I use. Bought it at Costco (warehouse not online) and I just saw it this week while I was there it's on sale for $139! Comes with lots of accessories including the walking foot.

Im new to quilting and this is the first sewing machine I've ever owned. I like it.

The Brother PQ1500S has a walking foot. Just needs to be bought seperately Another feature is the presure foot presure is adjustable, so when working on a quilt sandwich which is thick it can be made looser so as not to push to top fabric. With the walking foot the dial is set to the far right.

Rather than use a big clunky walking foot, I prefer a machine with a built in walking foot, like a Pfaff, Babylock, or Janome. Understand every machine made with these names doesn't have a built in walking foot, but most of the Pfaff machines have it. The Pfaff walking foot fits in a groove underneath most of the feet, so it can be used with most of the specialty feet as well as a straight stitch foot. It's always there, attached, so it can't be lost, and is completely unobtrusive when sewing. It's called the IDT on the Pfaff---it has other names with the other brands. I love it and won't sew without one now. It has completely spoiled me, lol.

If you are looking for a machine with a large harp I would not suggest the Janome Magnolia. I have the 7330 model & the harp is only about 6 1/2" which is not much space for quilting a large quilt. I love my Magnolia but wish it had a larger harp area. However, that being said, Janome could have come out with a newer Magnolia that has a larger harp that I'm not aware of.

You are right Patrice. I have a “Wally World” low end model that has 35 stitches, has a walking foot available or sometimes included. I bought my walking foot for not much. Total-less than $150.

See if you can find a good 401A Singer. They are mid 1950's and solid as a rock. They have a bunch of stitches, button hold attachment, cams for even more stitches, a walking foot and do very nice FMQ even though the feed dogs don't drop. I love vintage and have never been let down by them. They rarely break. You can a lot for a machine, but I like metal.

My Eversewn Sparrow 30 was delivered on Thursday. Really nice machine. I have two previous walking feet and both fit on the Sparrow as does the other sole plates. In the manual it specifically said though only use a walking foot when nothing else will work for you. For that reason, will use my other machine when its time to do bindings. The Sparrow's harp is only 6 1/2", like most other standard machines.