I have a Bernina Activa 230, Singer 201, Singer Featherweight, and a Brother embroidery machine(only embroidery). I use all of them for quilting. For more detailed work, I use my Bernina.

Kenmore and Pfaff. I had a Janome which I loved but a friend wanted a small machine for her granddaughter and asked if I would trade my Janome for her Pfaff Essential. Guess what my immediate answer was. I loved my Janome but it didn't have enough decorative stitches for the type of quilting I do. I actually have two Kenmores, which is the only brand I had before my Janome and I have been sewing since 1963 when I got my first machine for my first Christmas of being married and loved them all. My one Kenmore is being stubborn and after I gave it a good cleaning and oiling it decided it wasn't going to sew any more. The wheel just won't turn, when I do it by hand it is very stiff and all this happened after I cleaned it. I think it is upset with me because I hadn't used it for a while but I have always kept my machines cleaned of lint and oiled.

Well. For most of the last 30 years I've been sewing on a vintage Remington, not a "real" one, but a post war Japanese machine (similar to a Morse) that originally belonged to a friend's grandmother and was being sold in a garage sale. It is a great little workhorse, it doesn't do much more than a straight stitch (it does have zig zag), but it does that well. It can piece delicate fabrics and it can quilt down tops or make a pair of jeans and I can do all the maintenance on it.

Then a bit over a year ago a friend gave me her modern (computerized) Bernina 820. Bernina caused a lot of confusion by reusing the 820/830 numbers. It still retails used in the 2-3k range. The machine didn't go over well, there were some issues, but I think it's rather lovely. Friend is still a Bernina fan and has gone to the 770. Except that it stopped working a month or so ago and needs to go to the shop, and I'm figuring the cost of the servicing is about what I'd usually pay to buy a machine -- but not a machine with a 12" throat and a fully automated threading system! So it will go in, just haven't done it yet.

Then the machine I'm using now is a low end Brother.XL2230 that I got even lower end in the box at the thrift store for $20. Bobbin winder didn't work so spent another $20 on a portable one. But hey -- working beats non-working. It's doing the project I'm working on just fine (Bonnie Hunter Frolic Mystery), I've been impressed with the accuracy of the quilting foot (I can sew from either the left or right side of the foot), and it has a threading assist. But after this and until the Bernina gets back from the shop I'm pulling out my heavy vintage machine. Have this sewing superstition that I like to do all of one project on one machine...

I also have a couple of other vintage machines. A really nice Pfaff in a wood stand that belonged to a different friend's mother. When I still did costuming/garments, it was my go-to machine for fancy fabrics. When my hubby came here he brought his grandmother's machine and stand with him. Forget what the machine is, sturdy, non-fancy and in working shape. And I have my original traveling/class machine, a 301 another sturdy little workhorse.

edit/PS: My last completely new machine was from Sears, forgetting who made them then (around 1980-1982), but it was the last model with the plastic cams before we went fully computerized. I loved that machine and sewed with it happily until one very important part broke that was not part of the 20 year warranty. I tried for years to get it fixed and was unable, that's when I started sewing on Remy (yes, many of my machines have names).

What I am currently using is a JUKI. I also have and use my Singer FW and Singer 66. Then in an emergency I have a Janome that I bought in 1984. I also have a white 77 that sews like a dream. then there is the simple little Singer I bought at a garage sale and there is the Singer That I picked up from another garage sale for $3. I have yet to take the time of look at what model it is.but it is all metal no plastics! I have only sewn with it a few times. I also have 2 Brothers machines. They are Identical. One needs to go into the shop right now. Something went out on it last fall and I use the other one for my Sit and Sew or to take to guild functions were I need my machine. There are a couple more here that I do not use at all but are in working order. Oh I almost forgot my 1905 Singer treadle. Last but not least is my New Home (Janome) serger. Of course it is a great tool when needed. There is never a need for a good sewing machine in this house. I have a couple that could use a service call for a good tune up but that is it.

sewing machines
 

my main machine is my trusty Bernina 1230 that I have had 25+ years. I also have my grandmother's featherweight, and a Pfaff passport for a portable machine (bought before the EVersewn machines came out or would probably have one of those instead)

I have an old Singer made in the 80s, and a HQ sit-down quilting machine.

I would like one of the Juki straight-stitch machines, but all of the non-computerized machines have the lower side bobbin, which my arthritis-warped fingers can't manage. Since I need a drop-in bobbin, I will have to go computerized if I ever up-grade.

I am a Janome Girl!
350e
3160
4900
6600- 2
10000
11000SE
8900QCP
Skyline 7
15000
Singer Feather weight
Babylock Evolve Serger
Babylock Ovation Serger
Hmmm, thanks for asking, I think I need to purge.

Each sewing machines are made for different purpose. I use a Pfaff for my regular construction sewing, Brother embroidery machine, featherweight for quilt piecing, Bernina for quilting, old commercial Singer for heavy duty sewing and quick sewing. Several others for general sewing, plus 2 treadle sewing machines I use for fun. I'm not sure if one machine is better than the other as I have never had problems with any of them, except a Singer that I purchased years ago, couldn't keep it in time when I sewed denim jeans. I usually buy the top of the line as they get dated real soon. I feel the newer machine are likely to have more problems because they do so much more than the old metal machines that just ZZ. I feel keeping them clean, changing needles and general maintenances any machine will last long time.

Fun thread.

I have four machines that I are set up all the time:

1. Brother PQ1500s - I use it for piecing as it is very accurate. I also used it as my main quilter until I got the Sweet16.
2. Brother PC420- I use it for clothing repairs and when I want to use the decorative stitches and for taking to classes, I also sometimes use it for FMQ if I’m working with a thread that needs special care.
3. Brother VX560 that was given to me in 1981 or 82 - it mainly gets used for sewing clothesline baskets, but I used to use it for FMQ and free motion embroidery back in the day.
4. Handiquilter Sweet16- now my main quilter

and two others that seldom get used:

1.featherweight-hasn’t been used in a while but fun to play with. It lives in a rolling case under the Sweet16.
2.Kenmore model 158/1914 with the cams and other nifty attachments but it’s very finicky so it mainly lives under the guest bed.

Rob

I have to very economical Kenmore. One from 1965 which sews like a dream and weighs a ton. Even made a tailored suede jacket in my tailoring class in HS. My teacher, bless her heart, took me to a large city to buy the hides! I think I used six. The one from 2004 is noisy. It sews good but I prefer the older model. Feet are interchangeable between the two machines.

I have Viking 980-Q - my dream machine. Other/previous machines were Babylock - which was ok, and Bernina - which were very good. One of reasons I went with this Viking was the big open harp area for quilting. How? A gift from my Mama - after her passing I rec'd an inheritance check. Between my own personal sewing $$$ earned & that - treated myself to my dream machine as a gift from her. I also rec'd a killer trade-in deal on my old babylock + the dealer was in a crunch to move because the store lost their lease. All in all it added up an awesome deal of a lifetime, IMO. There is no way I would have paid full price/retail on my machine - but the pieces all came together at just the right time to make it happen for a reasonable price so I jumped on it. I feel Sew Blessed! I reliable good machine makes huge difference in a person's sewing/quilting experience. =)

Donna Mc

I have a Bernina 440QE and a new Bernina Serger, also a Viking 1050, My old Kenmore, a 1050's
Singer, and another singe I got at Good Will. I guess if I were rich with dough I would buy the top of the line Bernina and a Juki 2010Q.

I have 4 sewing machines and a longarm. My main machine is a Bernina 640 which I used for most all my piecing and sewing.
My travel machine is a Brother Innovis Laura Ashley NX-800 and I use it when I go to Quilt of Valor sewins each month and other sewing related activities. I have a Singer 15-91 Centennial in a cabinet that sits by my front door entryway. I haven't used it in a few years but the last time I used it was to sew 1/4" leather to reupholster my chiropractors table for him. I also have a Singer 201-3 in a cabinet that sits in my living room for days I want to watch TV and sew.

I bought my longarm in 2012 and I use it a few times a week to sew for clients and I'd like more time to get my own quilts on the frame. I have 4 tops finished waiting to be longarmed! :)

The machines I regularly sew on are my new Bernina 770 QE, which is the bomb! And my Juki TL2010Q. I also have FW's, other Singers of the vintage variety, and my first, a Kenmore from the 70's. That machine still runs like a top! It's older than my boys. My Bernina 150QE will never be parted with. I love that thing and have had not one problem since I bought it in 2001.

I had a Viking Rose that died, so I got an Elna Excellence 720. It does what I need it to do, but it would not have been my first choice. If it gets worn out, I will most likely buy another Viking, whatever works for me at the time. Think about what features you want and how you will get service before you buy. Test "drive" all you can. My Elna dealer retired so service is an hour and a half away now. Luckily, I've not encountered any problems so far. Features I could not live without - needle down, lock stitch, automatic cutting.

Viking Epic, Viking 770, brother embroidery machine, singer fashion mate and a featherweight. My hope is to move up to Epic 2 in the next year or so. Love my Vikings. I enjoy obtainIng the older machines, cleaning them up and giving
them away. It is a quest of sorts for me.

i think my highest count reached 8 machines.
it might be twice the size it needs to be, but i still have only one butt i can park in front of a machine.
so i made it my mission to re-home as many as i could.

i now have only two. :)
a Brother Dream Machine 2
a Janome Skyline S9

new rule is if i buy one, i will force myself to sell one.

i envy those with collections.
but i live in a shoe box, so the new rule is a must.

I have two emb machines one is the Elna and the other is a Janome besides two other Janome machines to take to class etc or travel with when I need to .

I have 4 Pfaffs 7570s embroidery machines which I dearly love , and I have 4 Feather weights 221s one black and 3 repainted which I also love, and one Pfaff 2044 which I had up graded to a 2056 which is OK it is my guest machine I gave my mid arm to my sister as I had it for 4 years and not used it once, so gave it to sister and she uses it every day or so.

Bernina 850 from 30 yrs ago
Bernina 830; would love to get rid of.
Bernina 770 for all the fancy stuff it does, embroidery and the long harp,
Nechii-it stays in the carry case and goes to classes
Brother 1500, the workhorse
Bernina serger from the 1970's
Longarm

Love them all except the Bernina 830. They each have their unique purpose. I spend more time and produce more sewing/quilting than any other activity, including driving a car. So I invest in my equipment..... staying within my budget.

Following that logic, we need a new bed.

Started out w/Husq Lily in 2000
Upgraded to Husq SE in 2007 because I wanted to embroider
Upgraded to Husq Epic in 2019

I also have many vintage Singers, Reproduction Singer Featherweight, Babylock Sashiko, Stand alone Singer Emb Machine. White Serger, Husq Felting machine

Janome MC6500
 

I have a Singer Confidence and am anxiously waiting for my Janome MC 6500. Anyone else have one of these machines?

My most-used machine for piecing is a Bernina 1030 from about 25 years ago. At the time it was their top-of-the-line non-computerized machine. I think I paid $1500 for it... the most I had spent on anything besides a car. It has gone for repairs only twice. I also use a Tiara 2 sit-down machine for quilting... it was considerably more than $1500.

I use the Janome Gem inherited from my Mother In Law if I travel. I also have two Singer 301's... I want to start using those more. And I have a Dressmaker but it is so darn heavy I have only played with it a couple of times but it looks super-cute! And I gave my Mom a cheap Brother machine that I bought as a backup when the Bernina went for repairs.

I see all of the $5000 to $15,000 machines that have a frazillion stitches and embroidery modules and on some level I want one just to play with. But I know I would never use it for much, and would be toting out my Bernina after a couple of months. I can't justify paying that kind of money for a whim....

I have a great Janome 7700. You might look into buying a good used machine that you like - the cost would be way less than the machine brand new.

I have quite a few machines, I keep running across them at yard-sales for 10-20 dollars and I can't seem to help myself. Plus my dh keeps pointing them out to me in case I missed them. My favorite machine is the Singer 401a (which I now have 3 of-in case I need parts). For Christmas this year he bought me a new Janome 4120QDC which is really nice because of the scissors feature, if I could figure out a way to put the scissors and the needle up/down on a 401a, I think I'd have the perfect machine because the 401 will sew through pretty much ,

Me too. All my machines are second hand. Once I tried to buy a new embroidery machine from the dealer. They said it was a model used in a recent exhibition and it was discounted. But they were giving me "for free" tons of things I didn't need and didn't want and the price, after all was not so cheap. So I backed away.

I have the Memory Craft. Bought it for $800 used and no regrets! Love it.