Hi y'all!

I have been quilting a few months using my brother ls 1217 (el-cheapo) machine. It's fine for straight stiches or zigzag, but I am really into the stippling. I bought the correct foot, but getting the correct thread tension is just so iffy. Sometimes it is perfect, other times HUGE loops. I am good friends with the seam ripper. Anyway, I've had this machine for 7 years and my hubby wants to buy me a new one for my upcoming birthday. My budget is $500. Can anyone help me find a good one for JUST QUILTING? I do not want to sew garments and I don't really care about embroidery. I want something that is gonna be reliable, not have thread tension issues, and can do free motion quilting. I also want a wide throat so I can do bed sized quilts. I'm not that technical (but hubby is) so I don't have to have a computerized type machine, but I am willing to learn how if that is what it takes.

Anyway, I appreciate you reading this. I have REALLY fallen in love with quilting. I start other projects and complete some of them, but I can turn out a baby quilt in 1 afternoon...I just LOVE making a quilt. The other stuff...not so much :)

Hi and Welcome from Northern Indiana ! Can't help with the search for a new machine, but others here can. Have you tried the search button in this forum to look for others that have reviewed machines ? Just a thought.
By the way we love pics ( hint, hint, hint ) :wink:
Sharon

Welcome from Southern California. There are many here that can help you with a machine selection. I have not looked at machines in that price range so can't help you too much there. It is very helpful however to get a machine at a local shop where you can take lessons on the machine and get it serviced and get help if you have issues. It may even mean that you could get a "gently"used machine from your local dealer and have a lot more options on it. I suggest sitting down and trying various machines and see what feels best to you!!!

you might want to look into the janome 1600 or the brother 1500.

they might be slightly higher than your price range but they are both really good for quilting larger quilts because the throat is 9 inches.

Ok, here is what I made yesterday afternoon. I am doing a twin sized Charlie Brown quilt (yellow polka dot with a black polka dot zigzag on front and peanuts fabric on back) and it is so big and unmanageable to me so I took a break yesterday afternoon and decided to do a small quilt for one of my 2 y.o twins to take a break.

I chose to make Jack a quilt b/c he SHARPIED a quilt made by my husband's aunt who had passed away on Christmas Day from Parkinson's. I cried and cried, but finally got most of the stain out. I thought I'd give him a quilt to use and put hers away for a bit b/c I had washed it SO much trying to get that stain out.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/ab...ogle&ovtac=CMP

I found this Janome 1600 for $499...great deal. Would I have to buy a free motion foot for this or is that included in the more expensive machines. Also, when it says it uses a "db needle", does that mean I'd have to special order every needle I buy? I live in a suburb of Houston, so I am sure I could FIND a nice shop, but with 3 small kids it is just not easy to get into Houston all the time.

that model doesn't include the free motion foot. there are a few models in the 1600 series.

the higher the model the more features and items included.

the needle is an industrial quality needle that can with stand the fast speed stitching without breaking it can stitch 1600 - hence the name.

you're able to use other needles but you might have to sew at a slower pace to avoid needle breaks.

I think what it means is that you can use a double needle with it if you want. I have never sewed with a double needle, except in class.
Also, I have a regular size machine and have been able to do quilting on it. It is tough but many of us have "normal" size machines. I have a long-arm on the wish list for "someday"
Many times the foot is already there, just called an "embroidery" foot or something like that. You want to be able to drop or cover the feed dogs and a Walking foot is a foot that you will want to acquire.

Well, kluedesignes knows more about the Janome machines than I do. Listen to her and others that actually own them!!! I have an older Pfaff and a Bernina and they both came with a foot that I could use for free-motion.

Do you live north or south of Houston ? If it's north depending on where, there's a Janome dealer in Livingston who is pretty good. I know it might be farther away but, it keeps you away from the idiots in Houston. We hate coming down there, too many crazy people on the roads. The dealer is Jean's Corner, a nice quilt shop in town.