Pfaff!!! The duel feed is amazing! I can't think of any cons at all.I am a proud Pfaff owner for over 20 years.

Janome 8900 is a 100% machine for me!!! One of the best with the 11 inch harp. Beautiful and easy free motion quilting. The Janome 6600 is the best 100% machine for me for piecing. It also free motion quilts just wonderful when you use the correct needles and thread. A hard working machine with never a problem in 8 years. I love Janome!!!

I love my Janome 8900. I love the throat size and the included table. I also love the needle options and all the stitches that I haven't even played with yet.

For me it is my Janome MC9900. A huge surprise from my hubby.

I really love my Bernina 830. I have never had any problems quilting king size quilts on it. And I do a fair amount of quilting in the hoop, too. It is wonderful for that.

I own two Berninas - one is my Virtuosa that I purchased 10 years ago. I love that machine but it has a 7 inch throat space. When I had the opportunity I looked at multiple brands but ultimately stayed with Bernina and bought the 780 E. I've only had the 780 for about a month and I love it. I haven't done much FMQ yet but I'm looking forward to it with the 11 inch throat space. I'm just about finished with a quilt top so the FMQ will begin soon. The 780 E is also an embroidery machine and I'm excited to incorporate the embroidery into my quilting. The only down side to Berninas is the price - but if you can afford one they are well worth the cost.

The best machine IMHO is the one that works for you. But mostly the SERVICE from the dealer is what I look for. After having 2 TOL machines and having NO customer service after I purchased the machines. I learned that lesson. I too have the 830 and think it is great.....just what I wanted, but mostly I am happy with the continued fantastic service I receive from my dealer. Nothing, no nothing will be right IF you don't have the support from the dealer.

I'm a huge fan of Pfaff...large throat, IDT, auto presser foot lift. turning on or off auto tacking to start or tie off a seam and thread snips (or any combo of said) are a few of my favorites about Pfaff. The built in IDT is awesome and as easy as pulling down a hook lever and away you go... and can be used with many other presser feet for sewing other projects besides quilting. I love to machine appliqué using the IDT too.

I have no complaints about my pfaff (creative 4.5) or the QE4 I traded in for the Creative 4.5.

Babylock Crescendo

I just bought a used Pfaff expression 2.0. I bought it mainly because of the larger harp. I haven't had much chance to use it but so far so good, and I did do a little bit of FMQ and it was much better than my previous machine. I love the IDT too but since I have two other Pfaff's I was well aware of this great feature.

I got a Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen. I found I didn't need a machine with a big harp after getting the quilting machine. I do have a Pfaff 4.0 and I love it.

I adore my Brother, Laura Ashley, Innov-is-NX2000. It has an 11" throat, threads the needle for me, has an auto thread cutter with a button when you're done the line of stitching, is the quietest machine I've ever owned & was in the consumer digest two yrs ago as the #1 best buy as the next machine with all the features this has was over $6,000.00 at the time! This was only 1/3 of that!! I adore it & the only down side is that it's computerized, so of course service is costly, but in two years with careful maintenance on my part, knock on wood...haven't needed any. It even sews over heavy blue jean seams without a problem!! Wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Add me to the Janome fan club. I have the 6600 which I love and now have the 15000 which is fabulous!! No cons for either one - pros galore!!

I have the Janome 7700 and it has a big harp. I have done a lot of FMQ on it with no problem -- I got it for the free arm, the harp and the lighting and am happy with it.

Juki's all have a larger than average throat. I find each machine has its own excellent qualities and speciality actions. I would just collect a mixture of makes and models, I have.

thanks for all the answers. Great variety. The machine I have now is a Viking Designer 11 and now that I'm retired I learning to do things with it I haven't done before. It's a shame they discontinued that machine