Sewing / Quilting Machine ....which one?
 

Ladies,
I realize this is a loaded ? and has probably as many different answers as there are ladies on this board. However, I'd still like to know:
What kind of sewing/quilting machine you have. (table top not a LA)
What made you purchase THIS one?
Are you happy with it?
If you needed to buy another machine now what would you get & why?

Thanks for your help. I am in search of a good quality- not outrageously priced machine.:)

A vintage 301 or 301a and a Featherweight can't be beat. Check out ebay or local garage sales but watch the prices. Paid $170.00 for my Featherweight and paid $80.00 for the 301a on ebay. Last summer, I got my 301 with the storage stool, the cabinet and all the accessories at a garage sale for $20.00 and she is more than 60 years old and still running smoothly. If you want a really new machine, there are some great quilters on this board that can speak to the best of the newest.

I sew with a 1990s Bernina 1031 and two vintage Berninas, an 830 and an 807. I chose Bernina because they are made in Europe (or were when I bought my 1031) and are all metal. The Swiss workings are truly well machined, it's one of the reasons the accessories are expensive -- jewelry quality.

I noticed that John Flynn and Caryl Bryer Fallert both used a Bernina in their own work, John did all his quilting at the time on a vintage 830, and those two are highly respected, well-known, artists in the field of quilting. That was a good enough recommendation for me! As a matter of fact, I called John Flynn and talked to him personally about price before I bought my first Bernina 830.

I've never regretted my choice. Mechanical machines have fewer issues than machines with computer software and circuit boards and steep learning curves. Mine could do any of the fancy clothing sewing I could desire, but I only quilt on them.

I do not embroider and feel I could pay a friend with a fancy computerized machine to do tons of embroidery for me, if I desired it, and still not have paid the cost of one of those machines.

Good luck with your search.:)

Jan in VA

Babylock espire- $1800 is what I paid for it used
Features I love
AHA-automatic height adjuster for perfect tension( I hardly ever touch tension)
adjustable presser foot pressure
adjustable presser foot height
needle down function, start stop button(dont need pedal)
Knee lift for presser foot
pivoting feature(when you stop sewing the presser foot automatically lifts with needle down allowing you to pivot(love this) and goes back down when you start to sew
thread cutter
needle threading system very advanced, super easy, the easiest I have seen
separate bobbin winding system from sewing
lots of stitches
have never had any problems with this machine its a workhorse
Would buy it again in a heart beat
only thing i can say is I wish I would have waited a few more months and got the newer model with more stitches and accesories but they are always bound to come out with new models.
Hope this helps

I have two that I use constantly. A few years ago when I decided after many years to get back into quilting I gave my 25 yr old singer to my daughter and bought a Kenmore/Janome from Sears. I had been searching for something that I could afford and this was mispriced for about 1/2 and I could use my card and even with the warranty I only paid 400. It's a great machine and has handled everything from straight to fancy stitches. It has no problems with thread like I hear others talk about. It's a truely great machine especially for the price. Last yr I bought my Viking Ruby because I really wanted to get into embroidery and I've always been fasinated with Viking. I think it was the black and white dress they used to advertise with. It is such a great machine. It's so easy to use, I have no thread issues with it either, it has a large throat so in another month I'll probably test out the FMQ with it. I love doing embroidery and can't learn enough and have enough designs now to do a few totally different quilts. I like the fact that I don't have to disasemble it to sew because I can use the park feature and it moves the embroidery arm out of the way and then I can sew and multi-task as I go. That is really great for those projects requiring both things. I also love, love the cutwork needles for my Ruby. It makes doing cutwork a piece of cake. Viking is a strong company and my machine is less than a yr and it was made in Sweeden even though there are those out there saying that for yrs now they've been made else where. I like my Kenmore if I'm going to class that doesn't require my Ruby for learning; it's lighter and easier for me to carry. Neither machine needs oiling so that part is great. I've thought many times about giving my Kenmore to my daughter but I'd miss having the extra machine. It sits on the opposite side of my Ruby and I'll have embroidery going on one and piecing on the other one. You are right. On a board this size, no matter what question you ask you'll get a different answer or many, many point of views. I guess that is why we are so great.

I have a 35 year old Kenmore, which was then labeled as "Sears Best." Have been very happy with it, until recently. Probably just needs a good servicing.
My "baby" is a Janome Horizon 7700QCP. I was drawn to it, because of the 11" harp. After reading specs, numerous reviews and seeing it, in person, I was hopelessly in love with it. Still am! :-)
I'm now considering a Brother CS6000i, to teach my DD and DGD, to sew. Just not quite ready, to let beginners use my Janome . . . and would like to teach them, on a machine they can take home with them.

I chose a Bernina 1000 many years ago. I researched all types and brands and the Bernina out shined them all. In over thirty years it has never needed to be serviced. I press the foot pedal and it sews and sews.
:p

I have a Bernina 530 that I use the most. I also have a 200/730 and an 830 for embroidery. I love all my Bernina's and would definitely buy again! Good luck. Buy what you can grow with.

I have a bernina aurora 430 which I love. I have an embroidery module for it also. Love my machine! It has only been in the shop for routine maintance, nothing has broken on it. My husband knew I wanted a Bernina and he bought this one as a surprise (years ago).

I have a Janome 6600. It's a great machine, has the extra throat space, accu-feed system for quilting, needle-up&down. At my last quilting workshop, 4 of us had this machine.

I know a lot of people have Berninas of some kind and are very happy with them.

I have a Brother PQ-1500 that I actually purchased to use for fmq only..But I notice I use it a lot for piecing, and regular sewing, too It has a pin-feed system that makes piecing a breeze! It is all metal, and does straight stitch only...has knee-lift, auto thread cut, and a 9" harp. I also have a Brother PC-420, which I love, it is my go to for all the "fancier" stitches...it also has the knee-lift and auto thread cut. I love them both for different reasons. Paid under $600.00 for the 1500. and under $500.00 for the 420. I also have my great grandma's Singer 66, my dh is currently giving it a good cleaning...I have the original cabinet it came with, too. It is a treadle machine, but "Ma" had a motor put on it, too...I used to always buy Singers prior to the 2 Brothers, but the last 2 Singers I had purchased just didn't measure up like the used to...my opinion only, and we all know how that goes...lol...
Regards,
Kif

If you are looking to do FMQ on your DM and are not interested in embroidery or the high price of Bernina's check into the Brother 1500 and Janome has one also, not sure what it is called. These are straight stitch machines ONLY but work great for FM. Usually found around $800 or less I think. Also as mentioned before the Singer 301 or 301A for only a couple of hundred. Good luck, just MHO

This is what I have. love it too! for all the same things! paid 1600 on sale. great machine!

I have the Bernina 155 for general sewing and use it for applying binding
I purchased the Horizon 7700 for it's wider space. I am using it now for most of my machine quilting unless the piece is small enough to stuff under the space on the Bernina.

I have a Bernina 440 which I bought new in 2009 and an old Bernina 730 Record. Both of them are awesome machines. I love them. I got the 440 because it came with the Bernina Stitch Regulator. I also have a vintage 201 that I won on ebay. I haven't tried it out yet, but it is pretty.

I sew with a Brother HS-2000 & I adore it!! It sews over big jean seams or anything else I've tried to put through it. It's barely shut off since June of 2010 & still purrs like a kitten. Very quiet machine & is very lightweight! I can lift it easily & it's under my 20lb lift limit. It does have a small throat though, so I'm presently saving for the Brother, Laura Ashley special edition NX-2000 which was built for quilters & has all the items with it that you need including a large sewing area. Before the HS-2000, I had a Signature by Brother for over 35 years that still works, but needs new wiring before I dare plug it in, as the wiring is really brittle.

I use a singer featherweight for most of my piecing, great straight stitch. I have a Viking D1 that is over 15 years old that I do the quilting and binding because it has special automatic free motion setting and I've never have to adjust the tension like many others without the sensor foot feature. Most of my friends have a small machine they take to classes so they don't lug their heavy machines around. This wouldn't be a problem is you don't attend many classes. If you buy a new machine, be sure to do a really good "test drive" at the shop before buying so you know you like the machine. My friend took her own thread and scrap material with her instead of using what the shop owner has and insisted on at least 30 minutes with each machine. If buying a used machine on Ebay, make sure the seller has a good rating and they accept returns just in case. I do have some friends that have singer 301a's and love them, not sure how they do on free motion as these friends have their quilting done by long arm. Good luck and post on the board what you end up with.

I have an Elna 7200 Quilter's Dream Pro which is very similar to a Janome mc6500p. I bought it brand new about 5 years ago for $1400. My first machine & now backup/vacation machine is a Euro Pro denim deluxe which I've had for about 15 years. If I were to go buy another machine today; I would look for a Janome Gem for backup/vacation and the Janome Horizon 7700 for home but unless money starts falling out of the sky--I will keep using what I've got.

I have 2 Pfaff sewing machines and a Pfaff serger. I love them all. I have never had any problems with any of them. When I upgrade my machine again, it will be another Pfaff.

One thing to know about the older model Berninas is that parts are getting scarce and they are not making new parts. This is for the older machines, I know that they are still making parts for the Artista series and newer.

I love my Janome 6500 that I purchased from a friend who was getting the Horizon.

I have 3 vintage machines: treadle, featherweight, class 66 in a cabinet. Plus two other older machines and a "dinky mechanical Brother" which is my go to machine. All the other machines work fine and it is fun using the featherweight and the treadle, but, I always go back to the Brother cheapy version. It is over 10 years old and has sewn through anything and I can FMQ with it.

I have 15 machines; some new, some vintage, all loved (except for that pesky Janome 6600P which I fall in and out of love with on a regular basis) and all used, some to a great extent, others not so much. I have a Bernina 1008 (purchased new) and she was my workhorse until she laid down on the job and requested to go see her doctor. I guess years of quilting wore her out and she needed a rest. Before that, I wore out a Singer Athena 2010 (she's just resting, as well....), and since those two decided to have a vacation, I started collecting them, in self-defense (sounds good, anyway...) to protect myself as I work in my business...have to have a working machine, don't you know!
Anyway, one Janome 6600P, Viking Platinum, Singer Quilter's Confidence, Featherweight, couple of 127's and three or four other vintage ones as well as a Gammill longarm, and I feel like I'm set! Hope that helps! Oh, I forgot the CH 99, the Babylock serger and the Singer 301...and the regular 99 I have...that's all folks!

I'm just learning the FMQ part of quilting and love how my Brother NX 2000 Laura Ashley handles it- so easy and so user friendly. I have a small Bernina 380 but don't use it much since I got my Brother. I love, love, love my Brother machine for everything I stitch.

I agree with morelcabin that your dealer and service are so important. I love the dealer I buy from. She is knowledgeable and backs up her products.

Good luck finding the machine that you love as much as I love mine.

I have an Janome sewing/embroider machine because it is soo easy to use. New but able to figure out how to use it. I love the way it sews and so far have no problems with anything. I hums really nice and makes the big embroidery patterns.

I have a Bernina 830. I've had it for about 4 years. I did my research and was stepping up in the embroidery world (larger sewing field)and wanted something that I could quilt with too. Getting the Quilt Frame as a "freebie" was a big plus for me. That being said...my machine does not sew like a high end machine. I have had nothing but problems with it from the get go. Its not any BIG thing..its just a whole lot of little things. It may sew fine one time and be as sloppy as all get out the next. I've had it worked on by 2 different dealers..but feel I'm not getting my point across as to what the problem is. And to top it all off Bernina came out with the LE edition before the problems with the 830 were dealt with so I feel I was jipped. Its just frustrating...I love my machine..sometimes...feel like I have a gremlin living inside it other times. Its so bad that I've almost given up on embroidery...and I LOVE machine embroidery..

I have had a Bernina 1530 since 1997 which is my travel machine. It is a workhorse of a machine and 2 years ago I bought a Bernina 830 for my retirement gift to myself. It took me awhile to make friends with it but I now love it!! Computer machines have a learning curve and they are particular!!!! I bought Bernina because several quilters on TV used them and I have never been sorry for buying this brand.

I have a 1992 Bernina 1530 that I dearly love for FMQing. It was given to me by a friend (she inherited it from her Mom) that doesn't sew.

I have a Janome 2032, a brilliant basic machine but come November I am hoping to get a Janome Horizon 12000 for my fourtieth wedding anniversay. Can't wait.

WoW!! You've gotten lots of different people loving lots of different machines. And there lies the problem. We all love our machines because we are all different. You need to find the machine that works for YOU!! Shop around. Sew on lots of machines. Decide what you really want to do with YOUR machine. Do you want embroidery? or just a straight pretty seam that will hold well? I have vintage machines as well as a fancy Viking that does all the fancy stitches. I quilt mostly on the vintage machines. They are all metal (a very important feature) and sew such a beautiful stitch. I taught sewing in public schools for over 30 years and found the 'new' machines were mostly junk..... at least the ones with plastic parts, etc. They didn't withstand the use they got and I was always working on them to keep them sewing.

So, go out with your list of what you want the machine to do and then try lots of different ones. Good luck.

I have a Series 8 Bernina 820 machine which I love. In Canada, I paid almost $8,000. for it so it is not cheap. When I checked out why the high price for Berninas, the answer I was given from a lady who has one was "it's whats under the hood". NO plastic on these babies & quality is everywhere. Makes them very heavy though, not one to drag to lessons etc. but love, love it. I also have a Juki TL - 98Q which is a real work horse. The throat is not quite as big as the Bernina but I use it quite a lot also. Nothing fancy with the Juki but I love it too. Sometimes it's very hard to make a decision & besides machines are like shoes, sometimes 1 is just not enough !!!

I love my old Kenmore, can't buy em like that anymore, weighs about a ton though! All I can say is, Good luck with your decision!

I have a two Pfaffs. My main machine is a Creative 4.0 which I absolutely love. I bought this machine when my old Pfaff litteraly blew up, smoke and all. The Creative has a 10 inch throat, love the IDT, thread cutter and numerous other features. My other Pfaff is my 1471. My husband bought this machine for me over 25 years ago. It still sews like a dream. I take it to classes and retreats. It is not light but it is lighter than my Creative. If I had to buy a new machine it would be another Pfaff. I am hooked on Pfaffs.

Love my Elna Pro Quilting Queen

I'm just cheap. I got a pfaff synchrotronic 1229 at an estate sale for $50 and I hope they bury me with this machine. However, since it's 30 years old, I am not counting on it, so I'm saving up for something larger. I'd like a Sweet 16 but will probably get a Sunshine 16 instead. I have just recently started tracking how many hours I quilt, and I'm going to "start charging myself" $10/hour and that money will be transferred to a savings account just for a machine! I dread the day when my Pfaff needs to be replaced, so I'm hoping it'll be many years from now!

I have a Juki 98Q. Love it. I piece on it and fmq. I have been using it for 14 years!

I have a Viking Rose as well as several antique machines. I generally do all of my piecing on my 1948 Singer 66. I am also working on a quilt on a 1914 treadle. While I love my Rose, I prefer piecing on the 1948 - I love it's simplicity. I keep the walking foot on the Rose and she does all of my bindings.

I have a Bernina and LOVE her!! Sews like a dream and I have never had to have anything repaired. Just the routine maintanence and away she sews!!

I am looking at buying another one. I am going with Bernina! Not sure that I would by anything else!

I agree with the Bernina. I have had an old 830 since the 80's and it's a champion. When I look at sewing machines, I go to Bernina first.