I'm really getting the hang of the Janome 8900, and I'm loving this machine. I guess starting out with a big quilt as my first project has made me love it more than if I'd started with something small, because my favorite thing about this machine is this huge quilt has yet to bind up on me going under the harp.

Janome, I think I love you. :thumbup:

My Pfaffs which I have traded up 3 times have always been reliable and work horses. Sorry to hear about your sewing machine woes. Metal vintage machines are ever lasting for straight stitching...but you will get SO many diverse opinions. Happy sewing. Best,

I bought a Juki 2010Q last year and LOVE the thing! Quilting is just wonderful now... It's all mechanical-- no computer. Easy peasey and so strong and reliable! Beautiful stitches, too.

Why not look at everything thedealeryou have gone to has in. Does he have any of his display models then you have a backup which can be easily repaired. Could you hire a machine from this dealer?

Any of the Bernina machines would be a good choice. I have a model 640 and have just added the embroidery module to it. They also have ones with larger throat for fmq. But I don't know anything about them as I am a professional longarm quilter.

Thanks everyone, for your advice and sympathy. I do indeed have a back up machine, my old ever dependable Super Elegance Singer. It is like going from Electric to treadle:) I am so spoiled, with my great light, needle always up, great sewing desk and chair. Now I am sewing in the living room with the table opened into the archway. I just wanted to whine, and get opinions on machines. My DH thinks I should just shut up and go buy a good machine. My biggest mistake was trying to save some bucks, bought my Quantum on QVC, not thinking about service. Won't do that again. I knew there would be lots of opinions, that's what I wanted. If I buy another, I will definitely buy where I can try them out and they can offer service. Which to be honest will still be miles from home. My repair guy doesn't seem to sell new anythings. Happy quilting!

Maybe get a more basic machine for piecing ect. and save this machine for other projects that require more fancy stitching. I piece on a straight stitch machine and just use my other machines for other things. Saves a lot of wear and tear on them!

Singer made a good product for years. Unfortunately that time has passed. I grew up using Singers and when I was married in 1969 my husband bought a Singer sewing machine for his gift to me. Had nothing but problems with it. Every time I used it it would have to go back to the service guy and finally he got tired of fixing it and completely disassembled and reassembled it. He found it had been put together wrong at the factory and did work better for a time but still too many problems. I got so frustrated with it at one point that I took it out to the field behind the house and blasted it with my husbands shot gun. Most satisfaction I ever got from it! Have never and will never own another one which was manufactured after the 1960's. I now own my Mother's vintage Singer 301 and have never had one problem with it. My Viking Designer SE was the replacement for the wedding present and has never given me a problem either. I have owned Janome also and would recommend them also.

Fancy stitches, built like a tank = Singer 401A, a vintage machine.

Maintenance? A little oil and grease every now and then.

I love, love, love my Husqvarna 875Q.

It "replaced" my 1965 Elna Supermatic which is now my workhorse backup machine. :)