Congrats on the nursing degree. For me a Janome would be my choice. I have a 6600 and have been looking at the 7000--some day.

First of all congratulations!! My local sewing machine dealer has an offer, if you purchase you have a year to trade up. Test drive and go for the fablous features suggested. In a year trade up, never know in a year what direction this will take you!! I am sure other dealers have the same policy.

Congrats on the nursing degree! I've been a nurse (BSN) for 15yrs, and still remember the immense relief when finishing school. My suggestions for you to look at are the Janome 6600, Pfaff Smarter C1100Pro, or a used Bernina. You can piece on a $50 vintage Singer, but I suggest you get something that you can grow into and that makes it easier and even more fun. I have several machines, and love the built-in dual feed on my Pfaffs. I got a used Bernina 440, and though it doesn't have the built-in dual feed, it's also a joy to sew on. Happy hunting!

I would check out Pfaff with their built in walking foot. Makes piecing so much easier!

I would look at a Janome 6500 which is the forerunner of the 6600 and the Horizon. It is a real work horse, has needle up/down, thread cutter, lots of stitches and a 9 inch throat space. I have quilted twin size quilts and one that was half way between a double and queen without any issues. They are selling new for around $1100 but you can find them on ebay for less than $1000.

Good luck with your search but most of all, CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING A NURSE!

Congratulations on lots of fun things in your life!

As for machines, we are a Pfaff house. We've never tried Janome, Viking, Bernina, Baby Lock, etc. The IDT on the Pfaff was a big selling point for us, although I understand other machines now have similar features. You should be able to find a Pfaff with some very useful features in your price range. Let us know what you decide.

Darren

Congratulations!

I love my Husqvarna Lily and SE...any Husqvarna would be a good choice...If your going old...I just bought a 301 and 301A Singers and love them both....

My husband just finished paying for my Bernina 430 for my graduation this month. I finished my BSN! yay! The machine was used, and cost about $1000. This is almost the same as the 440 QE from Bernina, and retails for about $3200 or so new. Look at these too, even if you are not going to do much FMQ right now, you will probably experiment with it later, and will be happy if you have a machine that will expand with your growing skills.
Congratulations on completing your nursing degree! :-)

LauraEllen, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS!! Becoming a nurse is a tremendous accomplishment and I salute you!

About the machine... several have mentioned going with a good used machine since you are considering using it for piecing only, and I agree... I'm still using the Bernina 830 Record my parents gave me when I graduated from college in 1975. My Bernina dealer knows I'm thinking about getting a new machine, too, and made me promise to never sell this machine. He says it has been a fantastic machine all these years... and, like others, this machine just purrs! The older machines should be considered!

Listen to the excellent advice on the QB, too... there are new features on newer machines, newer than the "old 830", that you'll want to think about...

Have fun shopping and be sure to tell us what you decide!!

Happy quilting!!