Not sure if this is the place to post this or not, but here goes. I am looking for a new sewing/quilting machine.Can anyone tell me a good one to purchase with being on a very low budget. I have limited funds and probably would have to sell what I already have. I want this machine to also sew thru thick fabric. Like several layers at once. I sure would appreciate any help on this matter.
Thank you
Verna2197

Bernina still has the reputation for sewing thru thick fabric. If your local dealer doesnt help you, you can call us. Bernina also still manufactures a metal machine that would give you a lot of confidence going thru thick material....the 1008 retail s around $1100. you might pick one up for about $750- 800 on a good sale!

Limited funds is $100 for some, $1000 for others--what is your budget?
Personally, as I have a limited budget, I would not have an electronic machine--too expensive to service...
I would go for an old Singer, or an old Precision, or a Viking(pre-1976). Riccars are also good.
The cheaper new machines are wimps and most new machines made of plastic parts.
It is pretty easy to find the oldies, and they are made MUCH better.....
If you need fancy stitches once in a while, then buy a cheaper new one that does that,and use an old one for everyday sewing, but there are lots of older machines like the Kenmore or Universal, that will give you fancy stitches AND sew layers.....
I have an old Riccar, two Vikings, a Domestic, a Universal, two old Singers, and a treadle. I do quilt piecing on the old Singer 15-91.
Hit some estate sales and auctions, eBay Classified, check on Craigslist.....
You should check with Billy--(Lostn51) to see what he has available....as he has them all ready to go....
Old treadles are great....but of course, not free arm, so it depends on WHAT you are sewing.

Go to Craigslisst at Knoxville and there are a LOT of Machines from $40-$250 and up.Did not check Nashville.....
The older Whites are pretty good, too.....
Here is one!

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/app/2284153454.html

I would go for an older machine. There are so many beautiful old metal machines out there that are workhorses! Right now, I am fixing up a Sears Stylist 776 that is awesome. Also, a White 999A and an old Sewmor. The Sewmor is a class 15 clone in a cabinet which is really a great machine. Do some research on craigs list and ebay and aske questions about the machines that interest you 9 times out of 10 one of us has one LOL.

I would also check your thrift stores, and estate sales, garage sales. The only bad thing is you never know if it would need any expensive repairs. I have been very lucky, finding excellent old machines that keep up with the high dollar ones. Good luck.

I couldn't agree more....the old machines I've purchased at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. sew the pants off my newer machines & you can't beat them for FMQ! Old Viking, Singer, Kenmore, Bernina....worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned.

Most of the old ones I have bought at garage sales for $15.00 or less!

my budget would probably be no more than $300.00, little more if I could sell my Brother CSi6000. Love this machine just won't go thru thickness very well.

Singer 66 models are industrial and will sew well thru thin as good as any or the 99's or the 301's...list goes on and on....
these are the o l d singers.

Try a singer 301 It's from the fifties, feed dogs drop for fmq, easy-very easy to maintain. Has a handle at the top, only weighs 16 lbs. Well within your price range. Singers first gear driven machine-no belt, enclosed motor.....I could go on. Some come with a heavy clumsy tweedy looking case-often stinky-but you get them for less without a case. They are not that hard to find..ebay is a bit on the pricey side, but estate, thrift, craigslist are all good places to try and find one. There is alot of support here in the vintage sewing section of the board if you were to have any problem with any machine.

I agree with the suggestion to buy an old Singer 15 (15-90 or 15-91) or a "clone" of the Singer model 15, which was put out by a bazillion different companies and is still being produced. You can recognize them in pictures by the tensioner sticking out on the left side (face plate or "nose") of the machine.

Parts are easy to come by and even if you have to replace the motor (or re-wire it if it's a gear-driven model) and replace all the electrical parts, you're still going to have a GREAT piecing and quilting machine for about $70-200, depending upon the original cost of the machine. Plus, it will sew absolutely anything.

It's not a true industrial machine - none of the Singer domestic models are industrials, though some eBay sellers seem to delight in using that term to describe them. But it's capable of very heavy-duty sewing, including blue jeans and the occasional sail canvas or Sunbrella.

One of the other advantages is that you can easily learn how to troubleshoot and maintain this machine by yourself and never be dependent upon the repair shop, again. There's very little that's breakable on these machines. :)

For a limited budget, you really can't go wrong with one of these machines set into a heavy cabinet. And they're just plain charming to look at, too. :)

Check out your local Sears....Kenmore's are fantastic machines. Although I have 2 Janomes....I still have and do use my Kenmore that I only paid $117 for in 2003. It has never needed anything done to it either...fantastic machine!

I would go with a 301A singer. Well within your budget on ebay or www.shopgoodwill.com. You couldn't give me a newer model machine with all the goodies on them that can and do often cause problems. You can buy one of these and have money left over.