I would recommend going to a dealer that can help you with
what you want on a machine and can fix it if you should have a problem. I learned that some time ago. At walmart once they sell it to you they don't want to hear your problems. I found that out when I bought a watch there. Never again. They wouldn't even talk to me. Just said go deal with the company and the company fixed it and it didn't
last a week. I wish you well but be sure to get what you want. Don't buy it just because it is on sale. I used to get
excited to get something at a bargain price but watch the
specials on some of the better brands and a place that will
help you if you need help. Service means a lot

I have two Brother machines both bought at Walmart. The first one 17 years ago, the other one a couple of years ago. Both sew really good. I love them both. Never had any problems out of either one.

Mcdaniel, I went to the site that was posted by someone. The 50 stitch says that it has the feeddog for free motion, however them 80 stitch does not mention the feeddog feature. Can you tell me if it has it? Thanks, Lucy

I have the Brother Project Runaway. It is a nice machine but it has its limitations. I suggest that you do not do any work on material heavier than cotton. I have used mine to work on my husbands demins and now it is out of adjustment. Also, you will need some kind of stabilizer on your project when using the decorative stitches. I hope this is helpful information. Jeanniebelle

The machine can be set so that the straight stitch center needle position is automatically selected when it is turned on.

1. Turn off the sewing machine.

2. Hold down the “+” side of (stitch selection key) on the left and turn on the sewing machine.
After turning on the sewing machine, release the “+” side of (stitch selection key).


NOTE: the specified initial needle position is maintained even after the machine is turned off.

NOTE: Perform the same operation to change the initial needle position to the left needle position.


I love my SQ9000 and would recommend it.

Elise

I was just going to mention this. I got the 9000. I sat and read through the manual and then set the machine up and walked through the machine with the manual. I didn't hook up the pedal, because I wanted to try the on and off button. I really like it.

Now granted, the machine is almost all plastic, which most are these days and it did seem a bit flimsier than my older Baby Lock, but it sews really well. I love the slow stitching. I've also played with the Monogram stitch and did a 'Hello' on a double piece of fabric. I did the leaves deco stitch on a single piece of fabric.

It has a 1/4 inch foot as well as a stitch for 1/4 inch that is used with another foot. It has a walking foot and a stitching guide to attach to it. It also has other feet that go along with various stitches on the machine.

Right now I'm testing it out and doing the BIG :mrgreen:
So far, I like it.

A Brother is a good machine. My quilt shop sells them and the owner says you can not beat Wal Mart prices on them. She can not sell them for a cheap as Wal Mart does.

I bought a project runway machine too. Had it less then 2 months and had to put it in the shop. It was suppose to be fixed. I returned it to the shop less then a month later. They had it 2 months waiting on Brother to decide what to do. Well they put new inners in it and I was told not to bring it back to repair because Brothe would not fix it again. Needless to say that will be the last machine I buy from Wal mart. The repair guy told me that wAL mART TELLS bROTHER HOW MUCH THEY WILL PAY FOR A MACHINE AND bROTHER MAKES THEM OUT OF plastic just to sell to Wal mart. Now had I known this before I bought from Wal Mart I would have gotton one from a sewing machine plaqce and not wal mart.

Judy

I vote for looking at your local dealer. My dealer has used machines for under $100 and for a certain price it comes with lessons and warranty.

I can tell the difference in the quality of a "higher price" and the bottom level machines. I bought an older used higher end machine and found it on craigslist. I did try it out before I bought it though!

Have the SQ9000 love the machine.

I have a Brother CS6000i and I love using it. :) I've had it for about six months and the only problem I have had is that it is very hard to quilt a full size quilt because the opening between the needle and the machine is very small. It looks like both of your posibilities has more space than mine. It pieces very nicely, and mine came with all the necessary feet including the walking foot for quilting. I love the needle down feature and the needle threader is a life saver! It's also very light and easy to transport. Good luck deciding. I don't think you will be unhappy with either choice.

I have the CS6000 and its the best machine for the price. I have had 5 brothers and have never been sorry. I bought my CS6000 at Walmart in 2005 and its still trunnung like a charm it is.

I know in Canada my singer dealer said there are no new parts being made for the Walmart machines. We have one here and a tooth is broke on a gear and they don't make parts. Check first to see if they have replacement parts for the machine that you are buying.

I have the XR-9000, an older one of the SR-9000. I love it! I bought the 1/4" foot and it works perfectly. Can't go wrong for an inexpensive machine.

Blossom, PM me, I have instructions on how to set the machine to always start up in the center position. It is easy to do. Whoops did not read all the responses, I see someone already wrote how to do this.

The 9000 has a lever on the back that will drop the feed dogs.

anyone know if you can do the center position thing with the cs-6000? I have one and love it and would like for it to start in the center...

I have a Brother machine from Walmart and it has really been a great machine. Haven't had any trouble with it. I think I paid $250 for it a few years ago. Sews much better than some of the Singer's I've had, and they were much more pricy.

The SQ9000 comes with a 1/4" foot, but I bought the Brother 1/4" piecing foot with a guide.

It really helps me to get an accurate 1/4" seam.

http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewin...essoryID=SA185

Elise

I was wondering the same thing about the LB-6800. It too starts up in the left position. I have to remember to switch it to the middle.

Yep, that is the foot I bought also. Just love it!

I am not able to say anything about Brother, I'm a Kenmore and singer my self.

I have bought several machines from Walmart and not regretted one of them. I do tend toward the Brother Machines because I know they are a good quality machine. You should definitely take advantage of the buy. I just bought the $200 machine (quilters edition) and love it. It is as good as my Viking at a much lower price. I wouldn't worry about buying at Walmart because they didn't make the machine, they are just retailing it for the manufacturer.

Some repair people should not be in that business, others will repair anything and just over charge. If I bought an inexpensive machine I would just trash it if I couldn't get it repaired. Mine cost too much for that.

Make sure the machine has not be reconditioned. I bought one from Walmart several years ago and when I wanted to change the foot to a quarter in foot. It would'nt line up right.
Found out the shaft was bent. It had been a few yrs since I purchased to machine so had no receipt they wouldn't make it good.

I work in our local Sewing Machine Sales/Repair/ LQS. I see machines come in from different stores. Walmart doesn't have any kind of repairs, customers come to us to have a $74.95 tune-up done on a $70 machine from Walmart. We work on all makes and models. But the customer is mad because the tune up costs more than the machine. Our shop doesn't charge to look at the machine, to see if a tune up will fix it, but the customer is not happy to hear that their machine is full of plastic parts, and cannot be repaired. The machine is just one step above a toy sewing machine. Our shop sells Pfaff and Janome, which comes with a one year warranty, our shop adds and additional 2 years of warranty, and throws in a cleaning, tune up, check timing, needle threaders and etc each year for free. Don't buy the Brother machines from London Drugs, they sell reconditioned Brother models that have been returned to Brother, and get sold there at discount prices, with no warranty. Whatever you buy, I would make sure you get warranty work and service, without paying for shipping and handling to get work done. Good luck, and check carefully. Maybe save your money a little longer and upgrade to a better machine. Just had to share, good luck with your choice. Auntie B

So, what are you going to do with the Baby Lock? I have two Baby Locks (Ellageo and Design Pro), a Singer Simple ($99 on sale at JoAnn's) that I travel with, and a Pink 1951 Atlas. They are all great machines and they all get used.

i have the table thing and never use it

I have a Brother Project Runway and have used it as my main machine for two yrs now and its a great machine

I bought a kenmore serger and the manual is identical to the janome (probably 10 years ago).it had a box of extra stuff and a catcher for threads the janomi did not give. The price was a bit less for the kenmore. I have had a kenmore sewing machine a long time and only needed a tune up once.

Oh I'm keeping it. I can use a back up machine. I may end up having two projects going on and figure which I want to sew first. :)

I own four brother machines and three have been bought from Walmart. I have had them for years and have had no problem with them, they are very dependable machines. Sure you will love whichever one you choose. Bought a refurbished computerized Brother machines on eBay and love it also. Works great.

I wouldn't buy either. First of all 25% isn't enough of a discount. It needs to be 50% or more off. Shoot, I got a NIB Janome for $30 last month.
You can buy a much better machine 2nd hand if you're going to spend over $100. Or buy from a more reputable store.

Interesting information Auntie B! I am wondering what internal parts are made of plastic? The cheapy Brother I am using is plastic on the outside - but, the bobbin case is metal and everything I can see by peering inside seems metal. Are there moving parts inside the housing? Thanks for helping!!

I went to my local Walmart Friday and bought the $154 Brother. Came home, unpacked it, tried it......liked the needle-threading feature......good stitch quality.....but the work area between needle and neck of machine seemed so small...and the machine was so light......could be picked up with two fingers almost. I now have a Viking #1 Plus which is much heavier...and it sometimes skootches when I am working on piecing together a large quilt....can't imagine this little thing staying in one place.....So, the next morning I carefully packed it all back into its box and took it back to Walmart....no problem.......I convinced myself I really did not need another sewing machine...I have a really basic Singer for backup to Viking...and when V really dies, then I will shop around.......that's my story.....But, let me say, if I were looking for a sewing machine this one would have been on the list, even with its few drawbacks......the differences were workable, in my case, anyway.