New Sewing Machine
 

I am a beginner sewer and I want to purchase a new machine. What brand would you recommend for me. I don't want to pay a lot for one. I would like one that is good for sewing and quilting.

husqvarna viking Hclass less than $400.00. I have one as a second machine and I bought one for my grandaughter and she is a beginer

I just purchased a Janome for my granddaughter for sewing and quilting. It was $300. plus tax. but I think you need to go to your dealer and try various models out to see what suits your needs best. They are so many nice machines available out there today.

what do you have now and what do you consider "a lot"?

deciding what you want the machine to do is essential. Piecing traditional quilts? Quilting the sandwich? Easily transported/stored? Needle up/down? Thread cutter? Walking foot or duel feed? What is "a lot" $? To you it might me $100. To me, it depends? I'm saving up to get a $4500 machine. Probably, as a beginner, after using it a while you'll have a better idea of what's important to you. I might look for a good model, used.

You can start with a brother, they seem to be great workhorses. I bought a used Viking and only paid $200, still using it after 6 years

Try getting higher quality but second hand. Don't be afraid to negotiate. I got $100 off my machine and the guy did not even blink dropping the price that much.

Id suggest you check with your local sewing machine shop and see what 'gently used' machines they have. I got a Janome 6600 today for $1,000 plus one year warranty, and a free class on how to use her. I am very pleased with my purchase!

Check pawn shops in your area. I've seen everything from $20 Brothers to a Singer One (didn't see the price on it).

I agree with petthefabric. I am a beginner too but when it was time to buy my first sewing machine, I did lots (3 weeks) of research on Amazon (reading personal reviews, reviewing each of the machine's specs, learning what each machine does). I compared Amazon's prices to that of other sewing centers online and they seemed to be the best.

another part of research is to visit any dealers/repair shops in the area to see if you like the personnel there. Even if you get a great machine but have a shop with no customer service, you still may be stuck...know the people as well as the machine. some shops will charge you for a cleaning even if the fix is a tightening of a screw, while others will tighten the screw for free and tell you how to do it yourself....and dealser may have some great used machines that will have features you want but lower prices.

My old Viking has gone "off time". Took it to the repair shop and was told that they don't make part for this machine anymore. That's how old it is, but I liked it and it had a very nice stitch, anyway he said it would cost $99.50 plus tax. I said I would think it over. I'm not willing to invest that much on an old machine sooooo, I am also looking for a new, or used machine. I have a 301 in a cabinet and 221 featherweight, so I am not machine less but I need one to take to a retreat as a backup to my 221. I am thinking a Brother for $350.

I have my mothers 40 yr old Bernina and bought a singer 401 for $12 at a yard sale and invested about $15 into cleaning it up. I'm pretty new to quilting but not sewing. I just need to piece and do basic stuff. I'd get something reliable and inexpensive to start and invest in a better machine after you know what your "mission" needs really are. Enjoy the hunt! I think we all look at machines and test drive them at every shop we hit!

I have the singer 6074q. It is good for beginners