I am hoping this thread will help me choose a machine to buy :)

What sewing machine features do you use most for piecing and quilting?

What features you consider a "must have" and which are "nice to have"?

Thanks!

Must have for FMQ- needle down, also love the thread cutter, push button start and stop, knee bar that lifts the presser foot. Don't have but wish I did- signal when bobbin is getting low. I forgot, built in walking foot is great.

My must haves were Needle Up/Down, needle movement left/right and ease of threading. I also wanted a built in dual feed so that limited my choices (Pfaff).

My bobbin low alert I have turned off - It tells me that is is low WAY before it is empty.

Good luck with your search.

auto thread cutter.needle up/down,accufeed..I have the janome 6600.

MIne is an old singer, no bells but I love it.

Needle up/down, wish my Janome had a bobbin sensor when thread is running low. I don't have very fancy machines. My Featherweights are my favorite machines! Good luck on choosing a machine!

I have 2 Juki TL98QE With Up/Down button,thread cutter - I seldom use- pressure foot bar to raise pressure foot - I don't use - gets in my way, FMQ foot,Walking foot,Compensating foot - use to make 1/4" seams, only straight stitches, if I want to do other stitches I have three others I can use. All of these have a lot of hours of use, before I bought the Jukis. These two are all I use, they work as long as I want to work.

I love my needle up/down button and I wish I also had a bobbin sensor...that would be great.

I love the needle up/down feature. Love that!!!

Gotta be my 1/4 in. foot....