Congratulations on your nursing degree!
I would only buy vintage machines since I'm into vintage.
Have fun shopping for your modern machine. If there is enough money left over for a cheap vintage machine that you can pick up from CLs then treat yourself to one, like a Singer 301. The cute 301s are cheaper than the Featherweights, you can take it to quilting classes, and when not in use it can sit on a bookcase to decorate your sewing area.

Well, I think it's HUGE overkill to spend $1,400 on a machine that will be used exclusively for piecing with no FMQing or embroidery. In that case, you just want a very reliable machine that makes a perfect stitch and have a few additional features such as:

needle down
variable needle position
variable stitch length and stitch width
standard decorative stitches (potentially for applique)
maybe auto cutter for thread

Many, many good quality sewing machines have these features for much less than $1,400 when you are not concerned about harp size (area under the arm that affects how much quilt can be stuffed in there when machine quilting). Maybe you can use the excess money for fabric?

I would second this, or even suggest a cheap! vintage to begin with. Put the money you save into FABRIC or savings for one with more bells and whistles later on! I started with an Elna SU nearly 40 years ago (sorry, it wasn't cheap then, but oh well) which I have used and even have a second one. However, I recently picked up a Featherweight (sooooo much lighter weight!). Given that I only piece and don't quilt, the Featherweight is really all I need. Besides, it's really cool!
Happy Quilting and let us know what you get.
Again Congratulations on your nursing degree! You go girl!

i would get the Juki F600 you can get it for about $900 and that leaves you with enough money to buy an awesome stash to go with it.

I agree with the folks who said $1500 was too much for a machine that you are just going to piece with. I would get one with as large a harp as I could, even if you are not going to FMQ now, you might change your mind! It is so nice to have the extra room to work, then you'd have all that extra money for fabric!!!!!!

I would get a top of the line used Pfaff. Many of us are sure we'd never do FMQ, etc. but later we might feel differently. With a machine like this you will easily be able to as well as doing excellent piecing. But then I am a Pfaff lover!

Check out your local dealers - it is so important to have a reputable dealer who can do on-site repairs. Congratulations on your degree!!

This is excellent advice. And someone else said to go to a few different shops and try out the machines. Janome, Bernina and Pfaff are the biggest names right now, so those are the ones you want to try out first. You're going to "fit" better with one brand than another, so it's going to be up to your own personal taste.

Needle up/down, a needle threader and a knee lift lever (for the presser foot) are my absolute musts on a sewing machine. I passed on a beautiful Bernina 150 because that model doesn't have a needle threader. Sorry, but these eyes just can't see to thread a needle anymore! :roll:

And although a new machine sounds wonderful, if you're not quite sure what you want in a machine, get a used one for now and put the money away until you decide what features you really "need" in a machine.

Just want to say congratulations on completing your degree!

Hugs and best wishes for the future!

CONGRATS!!!