Hi! I am new to quilting, just starting to prepare for my first one. I have done a lot of sewing in the past, but i don't have a machine of my own. I was hoping to get some suggestions from the experts for what would be a good machine to buy, that will last a long time, isn't terribly complicated but has enough bells and whistles that i won't need to buy a new one when i (hopefully) get a little better at quilting. I would like to keep the price under $500. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!
Heather

Try to get one at a yard sale or at Walmart to keep the price low. IF you can find a zigzag, it may hold you for many years. Make sure you love it first before you spend all that money.

I don't know what kind of quilting you intend to do but I recently got this one off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Afford...1933362&sr=8-1

It comes with 3 quilting feet. I haven't used it yet. Just got it Tuesday. I've been doing my piecing with a Jannome 3128 and got this Brother hoping I'll be able to do my version of stitch-in-the-ditch, which won't be in the ditch, but alongside it.

go to a shop that sells and repairs machines. Ask for a good used one. You don't need a lot of fancy stuff. Good straight sewing, able to drop feed dogs is about all you need to start. Many like the old straight sewing machines for their durability. Don't worry about fancy at this point when you are starting. Also be sure it is one that you can get a 1/4" foot and walking foot and darning foot for.

Great advice. Since you're new you want a dealer's warrantee(if possible) and they will provide you with classes and education that none of the big box stores or internet will give you. Good luck!

I agree!

I have the Brother cs6000i - Love it :thumbup: My mom and Sis have the Brother 9000 they bought beginning of year from Walmart 199.00 now down to 149.00 new model came out :wink: They love theirs

I think you should get a walking foot also. You will use it a lot once you get going.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!

Hello and welcome from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I have a Brothers Project Runway Limited Edition CE-5000PRW Computerized Sewing Machine that I use to do my quilting and craft sewing. A Husqvarna Viking H/Class 500E that I use mostly for quilting and embroidery. They are both simple and easy to use. Wal-Mart has some pretty nice ones.

Hi and welcome. You can get a Janome 6500 for that price on ebay sometimes. Also suggest you check with www.kenssewingcenter.com. They are a great dealer and are the largest Janome dealer in the country last I heard. Wonderful people to work with and may have a trade in for that price.

By the way, the Janome 6500 has a 9 inch harp (throat) which makes for easier quilting.

I got both of my Brother machines from Ken's Sewing Center in Muscle Shoels AL. I live in MS. Lots of times they will have machines that were put on layaway but not paid out and picked up. You can get one for the pay out amount. They also sell refurbished ones. Both of mine are refurbished and I love them. Great customer service, too. Service has to be done by them on the refurbished ones and you just ship it back to them. The cost is much less than just a service charge at most repair shops.

Not affiliated in any way...just a happy customer.

I got an Elna quilter at a sewing machine shop for $300. The owner takes machines as trade ins, so this was cleaned and ready to go. He taught me how to use it and gave me a fair warranty. I have had it for about 5 years.....Has not let me down so far.

May I suggest a Singer 401? I have both a 301 and 401 (Singer) and I think if I had to choose, I'd go with the 401 for the zig zag and fancy stitches that would allow you to do applique and topstitching. In time, look into a walking foot and free motion (darning foot). If you want new, I think Janome is a good way to go IMHO.

Brother is a good cheap way to go.
Mine cost me $129 for the Brother XR65 made for quilting. It came with a walking foot, and even an extension table.
It is a little work horse. It has a bunch of fancy stitchs but have never used them.
This was over 5 years ago and never had to take it in for repairs.
The only thing it lacks is needle down and a long throat.
Later I added the H. Viking Shappire 830 with a 10 in. throat and needle down but it cost alot more and is computerized. It has been in the shop.
My Brother is my backup machine now for when the fancy one is in the shop or being stubborn about working.

if you are going to do larger quilts than a lap, you should look at the size of the opening where you would need to roll up your bulk. I love my little babylock but it has such a small throat that I have a difficult time quilting, especially free motion because of the movement. Good luck, it's a hard thing isn't it?

Thanks for the input everyone! I found a used Brother PC-420 and ordered it today. It got a lot of great reviews and seems very versatile so i'm hoping it will be just what i was looking for. Wish me luck!!