I'd probably search for a set of furniture on Craig's list or the classifieds and buy the quilting machine... ;0

Would depend on how bad my furniture was. I would probably go for the machine!!!!!

Ditto!!!!!!!

I'd get a quilter with some of the money and then go to the nicer second hand stores and get new furniture really cheap! My first couch/sofa after moving to AZ was an beautiful 8 foot contemporary style brocade for $25.00..... wish I still had that thing... it was great to sleep on!

Buy some new fancy throw pillows and a new rug and the new machine.

No contest. Quilting machine.
Annie

Well since you decided to save for new furniture, there must have been a reason you thought you needed new? Is your worn and needs replacing? Why does hubby not want to replace the furniture? Is it super comfy ? lol. The machine was oviously a second thought, so you probably do not really need the machine. So its really up to you to decide, what will make you the happiest? If you get the machine, are you going to regret it every time you look at that furniture. I think it all boils down to why you thought you needed to replace it in the first place.

How much does the family (husband) use the furniture? I like the idea of moving out the unused living room furniture and putting in the quilting machine. Now there is good use of space!

Ban your hubby from the livingroom and get both, this way he won't notice.

For me it would depend on the quality of the current furniture. If it is well built under the upholstery with solid frames, good springs and finishing techniques, then I would buy a sewing machine that is capable of handling an upholstery job, which most will if you use common sense in your fabric choice - no leather, vinyl, or heavy canvas - and recover it myself and make my husband help me; all the while telling him how smart he was to not let me waste money on new furniture we didn't need. But then, I'm evil like that.