saving for a new perfect machine
 

so I had a brother that couldnt sew a straight line if the fabric was held down with cement so I got an old kenmore model that I like well enough but I really want one that has a scissor button but am not will to pay over a grand for one does anyone have one that doesnt cost and arm and a leg that they like really well?

There are no perfect machines that I have been able to find. It's a matter of trying them out and finding the one that suits your sewing needs best. If you are machine quilting large quilts, you will need a machine with as much harp space as possible. If you are just a piecer, you will have more options. Currently I am looking at the Juki Exceed 600 or the Juki TL2010Q which are both in your price range. I am presently stitching on a Janome 6500 which most people love but I have had a lot of trouble with it so I don't want another Janome. Good luck in the search.

I am very happy with my Pfaff Ambition. It sews a straight line without me doing much of anything to guide it! It does not have a scissors function so I guess I don't miss it. It has a bigger harp space than most but there certainly are bigger ones out there. It will be under your budget.

I agree that there is no such thing as a perfect machine, but this Pfaff is perfect for me! The only thing I dislike is that it has a screw-on needle plate. Pain in the butt to have to unscrew it to get in and clean the bobbin area.

I have a Babylock Jane about $900.00 that has the scissor button. It can be a pain as there is a tail of about 1/2" and needle comes unthreaded very easy. I could live without that feature. It is a straight stitch only, works well for me, I just make quilts. Nothing is perfect, including machines.

Sorry, I am no help on this one. I have a Bernina 820 and feel like I will never have to buy another machine. However, I do have an arm and a leg missing. LOL

I am also looking for an upgrade to my old but reliable sewing machine. A friend who teaches sewing classes gave me some excellent advice. She said to buy a sewing machine that would do what I actually used it for,not be swayed by be number of bells and whistles it had.

Sorry I don't think I would be of much help I love my brothers, never had one not sew a straight line. I am in love with my new dreamweaver as well and am also missing and arm and a leg

I am very pleased with my husqvarna Viking ruby.

I have a Juki 600 and love it! Great straight stitch, nice 1/4" foot, thread cutter, needle up-down, the foot pedal also cuts the thread and a needle threader. The harp is about 8" or so. Great for piecing.

Hi, I bought a second hand Janome 6600 and couldn't be more happy with it....it is really solid and sews beautifully....have looked at moving to the 7700 but just wouldn't want to trade in my 6600. I find the scissor action really useful.

I wish sewing machines were like cars, and you could buy the basic model (That's what I have, a big industrial) and add options (I would love to have a needle up/down). But I only paid $450 for 12inches of harp space, so I guess I can turn the hand crank! I probably wouldn't spend extra on the scissor button. I just let the sewing machine stitch 3-4 extra stitches in one place and pull the "knot" up and snip it and it's really a teeny extra step that I don't even think about any more!

Everyone I know that has a Janome 6600 just loves them. If I were going to buy a newer machine that would be it. I have sewn on theirs and it is a dandy. I think I am the only one of my friends that don't have one. I am a vintage kind of gal, give me the old ones anytime! Although I do have two janomes and even more vintage machines.

I love my Janome TXL 607. I 'upgraded' to this for the auto lock and thread cutter features from my first machine.

In fact, apart from the the larger harp space, I actually prefer it to my recently purchased Pfaff QE4 for FMQ!

Ashley, just what do you have? I've often wondered about getting an industrial for the harp space. Laura

Laura, I got this machine from this company, but I got it from ebay. It was 20% off and free shipping. I ordered it the Saturday (night) before Thanksgiving and it arrived on my doorstep (3 boxes) 10 days later! There was a piece that was broken and the machine head had to be returned and that seemed to take much longer than we thought to get the replacement (almost a month by then!!) but all's well that ends well! http://www.amapparelsupply.com/servl...dler%2C/Detail
It is pretty much the same as a Juki 8700; and I got the idea (or the "ok") from Leah Day's site.. in the comments of one of her articles.
Down side is.. it's my puppy and my problem when something goes wrong. It weighs a gazillion pounds and my local guy was NO help at all when I was asking if he could get me one, so I assume he's NO help at all if I need repairs.