I'm with you. My only computerized (to a point) and my newest machine is a Elna Quilter's Pro dream, which is at least 8 or 9 years old, that I bought used. I certainly wouldn't buy a machine that would cost more than a used car, which is the only kind of car we would buy.

I just bought a new machine this week. A Janome 6600. It was expensive for me. My old machine has a problem that probably can't be cheaply fixed and I decided to buy one before it was not working. I was going to go with a cheaper machine that had all the same bells and whistles and then I talked to my repair guy. He said if you have the extra money go with the Janome. the insides are better. My hope is it lasts me a long time. I have no great desire to have the latest and greatest. I've been thinking about a new machine for a year or so and I wanted a machine with a proven record.

Research has shown that buying expensive things doesn't give you much bang for your buck as far as happiness goes. However creating things gives you a lot of bang for the buck in the happiness realm. My husband pointed out that the Janome is a tool. For me the Janome is a less frustrating tool than the one I had, to allow me to do something I love and want to get better at. I already am less frustrated when I sew. With the private lesson the shop gave me before I took it home, I was able to plug and play immediately. I can tell I'm really going to enjoy this machine. For me experiences are more important than 'things' and the Janome is helping me to learn new things and enjoy creating, two great experiences.

Can you tell I have a neuroscience degree :)

I have a janome Horizon 12000 that I only use it for embroidery and decorative stitches. I prefer to piece and sew on my Viking Emerald 118 which is a workhorse.

This is a very interesting thread. I can "hear" a lot of not-anyone-else's-business in most of the responses, and I totally agree. What my wife and I spend, or don't spend, money on, is our concern. We might get a lot of utility from a very expensive item that other people would never use. The reverse is also true. Just because something wouldn't appeal to me doesn't mean it doesn't fill a need or want for someone else.

I would like to add one thought though. MJP's husband said it. A sewing machine is a tool. Some tools only do one thing. Some do lots of things. Most men know the important thing a about a tool is that it will properly do the job you need it to do. To get the one that does the job right you may have to spend a lot of money. If the job is important you bite the bullet and spend the cash. Some of you have said that your husbands insisted on buying you more machine than you would have bought otherwise. That's because men know the VALUE of a good tool. When I sold Pampered Chef I always encouraged the hosts to have couple parties for that very reason. A good tool saves you work in the long run.

You also have to consider your own skill. My wife and I have a nice antique upright piano. We are both hacks, but we can plink out a tune when the mood strikes us. Our piano is great for us. With our means, a $100,000 Steinway would be a waste, because at our skill levels it would never sound better than our free upright. Our friend Jonathan is a concert-quality pianist. I wish he could afford a fine instrument like a Steinway because he would use it to its potential.

Same thing with sewing machines. We have a few vintage sewing machines and a couple of fairly modern Pfaffs. They do the jobs we need them to do. We will never make heirloom quality quilts, so a $15,000 Babylock Destiny would be under utilized. Some of you do elaborate embroidery or precision sewing that is in a totally different league from us. That same machine could give you the tiniest edge you need to make that important quilt just right, or win a competition. I hope you can buy the Destiny and enjoy it to its fullest.

What it all boils down to is using the best quality tool that you can afford. In the long run, you get more satisfaction out of your work or hobby when you use the right tool for the job.

That statement gave me a good chuckle! :D My dh does know the value of a good tool, so when his drill/driver breaks down, he borrows my (better) drill/driver. :D

It's similar to buying a car. Some people have 3-car garages which hold a Beamer, a Mercedes, and the family SUV. Others are brand conscious and only buy Honda or Toyota. Others still are happy with the Ford they've been driving for 15 years. It depends on the budget, the features that are important, and the willingness to make the purchase. My DH asked me once (many years ago) "just how many sewing machines does a woman NEED in her lifetime?" THAT (as he found out) was the wrong thing to ask, as I countered with "How many power tools does a man NEED in his lifetime?"

For me it is simple: I research and test drive. Then I set a competitive price and I deal until I find the price I am willing to pay. My latest acquisition is the Baby Lock Crescendo which has a LASER LIGHT SHOOTING OUT OF THE NEEDLE. I mean, seriously, has the sewing world gone ka-rayzeee? I just HAD to have that machine. (Besides, it has all the other features I consider essential.) It took a while but I found my price and I am happy as a clam.

That said, there is no bill that isn't getting paid because of the expense. There is nobody getting deprived because I splurged. It was not an impulse buy and I plan to use her for a long long time. We do not have children so we get to play. Me in the sewing room and DH with the telescopes. Life is good.

To the person who is looking to get the Sweet 16: You may want to look at the Baby Lock Tiara which is the same model as the Sweet 16 but the table height has been adjusted to be flush with the machine base.

I am still sewing on my 1986 Pfaff 1471 and love it because it is a great working machine. I bought a used Brother Innovis 1500D because DH thought I would like to do embroidery also. It is a good machine but I still go back to my Pfaff because I know it so well. We bought a used LA, fantastic price, had a lot of trouble with it, traded it in for a Nolting Fun Quilter, then upgraded from a wooden frame to a metal one and love it. I would eventually like to quilt for the public, just simple edge to edge designs but do not feel pressured to because of the cost of the LA and frame. DH likes to play with the LA and is very mechanically inclined and can fix almost anything so he is a big help when things on the LA don't work right. We are semi-retired, DH drives a school bus, I like to sew and quilt, we do a lot of church work and we don't spend a lot on other stuff, so this is something we enjoy doing. The LA we have is not high end but a lot of fun.

Hi Charlotte I'll be more than happy to elaborate my friend that I was referring to bought the machine because of all the bells and whistles but because she put it on the frame she can't use it for everything she wanted so she uses it to sort of long arm quilt, I say sort of because the harp is not that big so the weight of the quilt makes it difficult to really get what she would have been able to had she bought a actual long arm. As for the paying for itself I am referring to a recent post where people said they didn't want to pay someone else to quilt their tops for them they wanted to do it from start to finish themselves. Personally I think you should be able to buy what you want and not feel the need to justify the cost to anyone. Heck I can't say anything about anything that anyone buys I have 7 machines would love to be able to get a long arm and an embroidery machine unfortunately at this point in my life I am not able but that doesn't mean it won't happen someday. This came about because I was asked how much it would cost for me to get the machine that I would love to have and the response was you are out of your mind there are so many other things you could do with the money, so I decided to ask a few of my friends. I know I could have worded this thread differently but needed to get this type of response to show that it's not just me. So thank you all for the wonderful responses that I knew I would get, I knew a lot of you would get defensive and maybe angry but I knew it would be real! Some people don't understand that at some point in our lives mothers get to say "it's my turn I deserve this and I want it ".

I'm of the I want it and it's my turn brigade. I just purchased a Juki hzl600 and a husqavarna ruby Royale, yes mega bugs, but I had the cash and it's what I wanted, my last sewing machine purchase was 20 years ago it cost £1000 divide that by the amount of years and it cost £50 a year. Bottom line my money my choice, and my husbands answers was why not as I sew nearly every day and I get lots of enjoyment from my sewing. Btw don't have the space for a long arm.

Great way to put it. For us, our machines are our tools just like an auto mechanic has his.her tools. My husband, who worked in the field for years (repairing heavy equipment) preferred the big name brands of tools Mac, Snap-On, etc. over the tools you'd find at Walmart. There's a reason. When our tools work effortlessly or make the work a pleasure, then the expense is worth it. When your tools are fighting you the whole time, it makes the work unpleasant and more difficult than it needs to be.

That is why we have quilting forums and such. People who don't sew or quilt can't begin to understand. They think that a $89 Brother from Walmart is fine for everything--and it might be--for what they need.

But it is that way with any craft/hobby or specialization.

I found this quilting board in 2010 when I decided to buy my first "expensive" machine - a Janome 7700. I knew at that point that I didn't know anyone around me who could help me grow in my sewing expertise. No one knew more than basic sewing--and no one would understand my frustration with having a 5"throat and why that was too small....and I couldn't talk with any of them about spending almost 2K on a machine! That had to remain a secret!

I had to go on line to find a community of quilters who could teach me. When I found this forum, I was so happy!

I don't get it, either, but not so much because of the cost. My husband for years wanted to get me a brand new, expensive, no stops machine. It was like a dream to him to do this. I would go with him and try the new machines and hated them. Since the early eighties, I did not like the feel of the machines. None compared to the Wards I had inherited from my step-father. None compared to the first Kenmore my husband bought in the early eighties. Since the most basic Husquarvana I purchased in 1990, everything to me seems like junk -- even the expensive ones. They may make dream stitches but they feeeeeeel cheap to me. The 'pretties', as in exteriors and plastic trims, are cheezey, but then I have been surrounded by plastics geniuses for most of my life so probably see the poor craftsmanship and are bugged by mold lines and parts not locking properly. That is why I am not drawn to the newer, expensive machines, not the cost. Now, I would pay a lot of money for a pretty, shiny, all metal gorgeous vintage machine. I prefer cams as from an engineering standpoint, combined with materials used for such, they are actual tools. I prefer a machine I can fix and do not have to take in for every little temperamental fit. I recently obtained a Bernina made in 1976. This machine cost the original owner a LOT of money but was intended to last a lifetime. And it has outlived the owner. The monies being spent on machines of today are not an investment as in times past and will not last or be able to be repaired for a lifetime of sewing. Thus, I would have a hard time spending the money on one of these disposable machines (compared to machines of time past). To others, especially if in twilight years and have no concern to pass on to daughter, I get it. But for the most part, it does what top-of-the-line vintage machines do. Oh, the beauty and quality of the early plastics on vintage sewing machines! I get spending money on what one wants and is excited about but I don't get the looking at, let alone purchasing a new machine that costs 2K+. And the new machine followers just don't get paying all that money for something that requires changing things out and is sixty or seventy years old. To me the new machines are more work. To the followers of new machines the old machines are too much work. So, the answer your question, you are not alone in not getting it, but I accept it could be because I have some paradigm shortcomings. Thank you for braving the question as I had thought the same thing but when asked once of someone they took it as an insult and were upset, saying I was judging them and self-righteous. I was not, am not now; either are you with your question. I originally had asked because then, and even now, I am trying to figure out what I am missing in understanding as new, expensive machines make no sense to me. Oh, and after bringing the White Treadle and the Bernina 62C, DH says he so gets what I am talking about. He claimed the machine for himself and is going to quilt with me. He even hemmed his pajamas pants.

I spent a fortune on my diamond. It is the best machine I ever had. I also like the top Janome. But can only afford 1 outrageously priced machine! I had free interest, so I bought it. I like all the functions and I embroider too. I take real good care of it because I can't afford to replace it . Retired, fixed income and all that! My husband has motorcycles....I have sewing machines. Life is good. I guess the smart a lack answer to your question is ....because they can!!!

I like playing with my machines. What more is there to say?

I feel I've earned it. I worked really hard for a lot of years to get myself out of the poverty I grew up in, into a position of financial stability. My bills are paid, I have no debt other than my mortgage, money is going to my Mom and into savings for my retirement and for emergencies and for my sister's kid's college expenses, and I give to my favorite charity every single month....all those bases are covered, so with the money left over in the budget each month, I have fun. I have no children, and my DH makes roughly the same as I do and we keep separate finances, so I am the only person who should care about what I do with my money (so long as I pay all my share of the bills!)

SO with my "fun money" I buy fabric, I buy books, I save it up and buy fancy new sewing machines, I buy old vintage sewing machines, I buy weird rulers and expensive thread and toy robots. I buy weird old things like chrome percolators and rusty hand tools and Pepsi crates and cobalt bottles and glass doorknobs and boxes of hand-forged nails that all remind me of various people and places from my past and make me smile... I have given myself permission to spoil myself as much as I want and in any way I want, within my budget's limits. :)

I always sewed with an old plastic Singer and it gave me tons of problems. I went to a LQS for my first quilt class and the machine broke down the day before my last class. They assured me I could borrow their machine. I was absolutely floored at how the machine 'hummed' and how it worked. It was second hand and cost $2900 and I went online and bought it from eBay for $1400. I have had it now for 9 years and it still hums for me and I have never once had it repaired, and I love her. That is why I spent what I did for a machine.

I have a Pfaff 7570 which I bought when it first came out. I love it, but thought I wanted more bells and whistes so I have had several Janomes. I have a 8900 now and it is a great machine, but still love the Pfaff most. When I sew on it I feel relaxed and happy even if it doesn't have a huge throat area or thread cutter. Why did I buy others? I think it was shop owner pressure, friend envy who had fancier models, greed, lack of research and test driving. My resolution again this year is to stop spending and start enjoying and using what I have. Early quilters used scraps, not expensive fabric. They did lots by hand or on a very basic machine, not a $3000 model that cut thread for them. I'm all for going back to basics.

For years I did all of my sewing on the least expensive machines, because that was what I could afford. I had an opportunity a few years ago to buy a "big fancy" quilting machine so I did. My reasons were, now that I can make quilts work out right, I felt it was time to see how the other half lived, so I started shopping for a machine. I looked at almost all of the brands, and what sold me on mine was first of all price (I am a cheap old broad, lol!) and then the includes. I got an extension table, knee lift for the needle, self threading needle, hundreds of stitches, the ability to sew sideways during quilting, programable stitches, thread cutter, 3 alphabets, 150+ stitches, 10+ feet, available other feet, 1 step button holes, the list goes on, but that is all I have tried so far. I was not interested in a long arm set up because of lack of space for one so I did not look at them. I have discovered with trial and error that I am much more comfortable using QAG methods so that is what I am currently doing. My shoulders and neck have been too damaged to quilt whole quilts on a DSM. The only queen size I quilted on my machine, took me weeks to recover from, so no more of that for me. When I bought my machine I got a great discount, and another discount because I was willing to buy the floor model. My machine was just at $1000, and worth every penny. Go shopping before you decide what you need, and can use, so you know what kind of machine would suit you. If you never buy a "big fancy" you will still make great quilts, so the choice is yours.

Everything is relative People have different incomes and different hobbies and desires. Look how much money can be spent on a sports car, motorcycle, clothes, jewelry, ski trips and equipment golf green fees, vacations, cruises...on and on. An expensive sewing machine is just another choice and relative to your income. At least with sewing machines, it can be used for years and years and for charity, family, gifts, home deco, quilts etc, as well as being a source of entertainment and enjoyment. Different choices make the world go round :)

It comes down to some people are happy with a used Ford or Chevy and some must have a Cadillac to be happy, I have a Kenmore 19000 embroidery machine mom paid $1000 for a long time ago, rest are under $200 and at 68 I will not spend money I don't have on a big fancy machine. To each his own. Our main car is 17 years old with less than 90,000 miles and van is 2005 and no interest in a new one. Would love a brother embroidery machine that is 5-600. that I can down load designs off computer, but who knows, maybe or maybe not. Have to had sticks for the 19000 and not that easy to find. What I truly envy is S P A C E. That I would give a lot for.

The lady in the sewing machine shop demonstrated a couple of $3-4,000 machined to my husband and I one day and I was drooling and trying to justify doing financing to have one of those machines. Shortly after I brought up my great grandmother's old machines that I had in my basement for years and got them cleaned up and running and now I'm hooked on the old machines and their perfect stitches and I'm convinced that I wouldn't enjoy sewing as much on a machine that does so much for you, as opposed to doing it myself. There is something very special about sewing on my great grandmother's machines that adds to the enjoyment too.

I bet you'd love the 1966 (or so) Elna Supermatic. It's made in Switzerland out of metal. It has cams for an amazing number of stitches including all the "stretch" stitches for the brand new non-woven fabric. It sews perfect stitches.

I have three of these machines: one is my very first sewing machine bought on sale at half price (we were very poor students at the time) in 1966; the other two are from eBay and are for cannibalizing for parts. My Sweet Elna is now my backup machine. After forty years of trouble free service, I bought a Husqvarna 875 Quilt with all the bells & whistles. I love it. I deserved a new machine. And I got it at a quilt show price for $2000 LESS than I'd have paid for the same machine on sale here. Will it last forty years? A better question might be will I last another forty years. :D

In the last two years I've bought a Janome txl607 a HQ Sapphire 839 and latterly Janome 12000. I abandoned the first J as I didn't take to it very well. I loved the HQ but was really after a machine that was clever enough to mask my lack of experience. I love the MC. It's the most amazing machine. I had occasion to use the HQ a few weeks back and though it felt good I was jolly glad to get back to the MC. With hindsight I realise I didn't like the little J because I was still just feeling my way and basically being a bad work woman blaming the tools. Over all that's about £6500 I've spent on machines in a very short period of time. Do I regret it - no - and just like the rest of you I just bought within my budget. And I do like trying out the various things on the MC but still many to go. I think I'm a brand person. My last three cars have all been mini coopers as will be the next one. I'd say any future SM I have in the future would in all probability be another Janome though I expect the one I have to do many many years service first!

When I went looking for a machine I never dreamed that I would spend as much as I did. But once started looking and saw what one has to offer over the other then I found that my acceptable budget expanded. I also thought about the money I put in on my kids braces and what I was going to spend on college for my kid and figured that I could buy myself something for me. My machine wasn't "thousands" but if I had more money I would sure buy myself another toy. But I did buy a nice machine so that I would have a good machine that would last me for good while

I bought my Bernina for sewing and embroidery and have used since the 1990's and it's still perking as it did when new. Love it.

Some like me can't afford the more expensive machines. I got mine a few years ago and it was like 65.00. But it sews even though it acts up a lot to.

When I bought my current machine 15 years ago, I was getting back into sewing. I had not done anything but repair or very basic sewing for years. I discovered a world that I had no idea was so advanced. I was also married and could afford an expensive machine, so I bought one. I do not regret my decision then, but if I ever have to replace my current machine I will not be able to buy much more than a basic machine. At this stage in my life, I would rather use that money to travel. However, if I had the money, I would probably like to buy a more expensive machine. As for a long arm, I do not have the room and have no desire to do work for others.

It is all about what your means are, in co-ordination with your priorities. If you are sensible, you get the best you can afford. My take on it.

I would give my eye teeth for a long arm, but can't afford it nor do I have the room for one. Therefore, I send my quilts out and figure it isn't costing me anymore than my own machine. I am winding down on my quilting(age related) so not sure what this means in the way of machines. I think I am happy with what I have....a regular sewing machine and one that does do a few fancy stitches.... not an embroidery machine. I gave my daughter a nice machine 10 years ago that she didn't use....preferred her own older machine. Is now trying to sell the machine I gave her. Of course, since I gave it to her a lot more features are available on the newer ones. I also gave her a serger which she uses all the time. Guess a lot of this question can be answered with affordability and dedicated space available.

I spent a lot of years sewing for my four children and various household items, so they could be nicely dressed, and we could have things we could not have otherwise afforded. I am now a widow and feel I have the right to spend my money as I see fit. I don't travel, but I have a Viking Diamond Royale, a computerized Handi Quilter Avante, and a variety of other sewing machines, vintage and antique, because I wanted them. I do mostly charity quilting, because I enjoy sharing the abilities I have been gifted. Many people may think I am foolish, but as long as quilting brings me joy, I don't care what they think.

Grann of 6 you are not foolish at all. These machines are giving you the tools to create quilts for everyone. Allows you to be creative and others to get your beautiful quilts. Double bonus. In my eyes much better than spending the money on fancy cars.

Amen. Amen.

Thank you. I watched my dad pinch and scrape so he and my mom could have a decent retirement, and he never lived long enough to enjoy it. I watched my DH do the same for me. I have decided that life is too short to worry about the "what ifs". So my feeling is if you want it and can afford it , you should have it. And we don't have to explain it to anyone.

Ladies, I have read all of the above and what I have to say is this, life is too short not to have what you want if you can afford it. I have worked hard all my life and I am to a point where I can afford it and I want an expensive embroidery machine and last year the local Brother dealer had machine on sale with no interest for 3 years and I jumped on it and got an Inovis 5000 Isadore Laura Ashley which I call her Izzy and I love her. I say GO FOR IT

When my son was about 10 he asked me if we were rich. Math and numbers were not (and are not) his thing, so I told him that it depended on what he meant by "rich". We probably were by many peoples standards, and we had enough to buy anything we wanted. But there were 2 things he needed to keep in mind... I said 'anything' and not 'everything' - once you spend a dollar it's gone and you can't spend it on something else. And I am careful about what I 'want' - we can't afford a yacht - but if we don't want one why would we care. That being said, before I retired I bought a Janome 11000SE and a Koala cabinet to fit it... Much better than a yacht although I can't embroider on that one either. (just haven't figured it out yet).

sometimes ridiculous can be filled in surprising ways. A good friend from college always joked that she would be rich when she had a chauffer driven Mercedes. She was rich long before I was because when their car died the most economical replacement they could find was a 20+ year old Mercedes, with about 200,000 miles on it. Since she didn't know how to drive her husband chauffeured her everywhere. She felt rich, while qualifying for food stamps.

It is all in what works for, and is important for, you and your family.

Who would criticize that? And why? It's no one's business but yours. Life is short. If one can afford nice things, go for it and enjoy to the fullest.

linkd: When I taught, I used to point out that a child was rich if they had friends, or a lunch, or a book to read. Rich is about needs and wants, but it's also about point of view. Interesting discussion.

It seems to me as if adult children might be giving you a hard time about a purchase. If you can afford what you want, go for it. Undoubtedly, you've made many little and perhaps big sacrifices for your family along the way. Don't feel guilty, feel quilty!

I always say I married DH for his money and he says he married me so I could spend it. LOL

That's my thought with machines. If I want it and can afford it, why not? I've enjoyed both my Bernina 1630 and my Artista 180 immensely. I've sewn tons on both of them and feel that I've totally gotten my money's worth in enjoyment.

I have only vintage and antique machines - none of them worth a lot of money except to me. I gifted my "newer" 25 yr old machine to someone who needed a machine because it was too new for me after I started using the vintage babies. That 25 yr old machine had been bought new and survived several Army moves but didn't fit me or my needs any longer.
Could we afford a new close to the TOL SM? Probably but I don't want one. I do all my quilting on the older gals and am happy to have machines I can fix when something goes awry. Hubby happy if I am so we are good. We also drive older cars too - again by choice.

I say to each their own and no one should question why someone buys a basic machine or a TOL one. Their money = theirs choice.