Overwhelmed by machine choices
 

Hi everyone,

I found the Quilting Board yesterday as I was doing some research to replace my 20+ year old Singer. I am totally overwhelmed by the numbers of machines to choose from. I am hoping that I might gain some insight from those of you who have much more wisdom than me on all the machines. I used my old machine for making clothes, window treatments, home deco stuff, and machine piecing and quilting (no free motion). Pretty basic stuff. In looking at the new machines many seem to have smaller throats which concerns me a bit for machine quilting. The local shop wants to steer me towards the expensive eletronic machines which I'm not convinced is what I need. Not to mention they are way over my budget. My budget is up to $700. I did notice on Amazon that many of the machines are pretty heavily discounted. I appreciate and look forward to any advice that you may have to offer.

Blessings,
Jan

Within the past two years I have bought two excellent new machines for around $700. It is quite doable.
For the first, I knew the store sold Vikings and I told him what I had to spend and told him I was quite firm on that price and he was able to steer me to a fine machine. (I really wanted to support a local business.) The other was a Pfaff that I researched and bought at a Quilt Expo for the show price.

If your dealer can't listen to you, pass him by. You can read reviews of many machines online but I would reccommend you try before you buy. And don't get talked into something you do not need!

Another place to look at machines is allbrands.com. They always have machines on sale. For now one of the best things you can do is go to a machine dealer and sit down and play with whatever machines they have. They may even have some great used machines that were traded in.

I'll be watching this thread. I'm in the market for a new machine too.

I purchased a Janome 6500 from SewingMachinesPlus.com and they had free shipping...this was 2 years ago and I paid $900., I am sure they are less now. It is one workhorse of a machine....it never fails and sews like crazy. I have several very high end machines that embroider etc., but this is my go-to machine for heavy duty items...and it will wind any kind of bobbin...I wind class 15 bobbins on it for the necklaces my husband makes, although that is not the bobbin it uses. I am telling you, this machine is amazing...my personal opinion from one who has had just about every kind of machine out there!

Howdy and welcome, from Texas!

I recently replaced my 35 year old Kenmore, with a Janome. Like you, I was a bit overwhelmed by the multitude of machines, so I did lots and lots of research. Since you're working within a set budget, you may have better luck looking at gently used machines, from which people have "traded-up." If you buy one of these, get it from a dealer and make sure you get some sort of warranty with it.

Regardless of what machine you buy or where you buy it from, I have learned the hard way that having a local repair shop that is factory authorized for you machine will save a lot of headaches. My go to machine is a Bernina 150 QE.

Local repair shop is a must, because sooner or latter you ARE going to need.....I have had to travel 100 miles for factory service, not my favorate thing to do.........so look for local Factory Authorized Repair Shops, first !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing wrong with a used machine

Make a list of the much have features and then a list of would like to have features and go from there. Amazon is a great online shop. Amazon will stand behind all products bought through them and easy returns if needed.

I totally agree. You need support from where you buy it; someone who'll answer your questions without only seeing the $$$ signs and you really need to try several different ones in your price range. It really doesn't matter what others are saying about how they like a machine; you have to like it and not all machines fit everyone. Good luck and you should be able to find some with a larger size harp in your price range. You might also check the gently used ones at a LQS too because they'll have a warranty and you'll get more for your money.