Pretty much the same advice here. If it works for you - it is fine. I have two Pfaffs both the German made ones - I love them both and they are true work horses - love the built in "walking foot". If I were to get another machine - I would look to buy a used Pfaff 7570. Originally about $6000 and I see they go on Ebay for about $800 to a $1000.

I would look to buy a used upper end machine from someone who is upgrading - that is the best buy!!!

I take the same $150 Brother which I got as my first machine at Walmart. I have since upgraded my machine at home to a higher end Brother (liked the first one so much decided to get another) but I feel no shame traveling with my machine. It has produced some beautiful work and is the perfect lightweight traveling companion that can do almost everything those other ones can do.

98% of the stitching we do on our machines is straight stitching. A "good ole Black Head Singer". As long as a machine works, it is fine with me. I have top ender but I go to my Singer when I need heavy duty stitching.

Amen to this.

When and if I go to classes I do not take my Bernina. It's not high end, only a 430, but was expensive to me. I take my Brother sewing machine to classes. Works like a charm and isn't all that heavy and sews great! Don't worry what others have. Enjoy your Brother!

I take my vintage Singers to classes. They are heavy. I now have a FW. I will be taking her with me. I almost always have the oldest machine but it works and if something goes wrong, I can take her apart and try to fix her. Not many other quilters can say that with their newer super expensive machines. Who cares what your machine is as long it makes straight stitches they way you like them to look. Actually, my machine at home that I use quite a bit is a newer Singer, it's only 25 years old.

I had a Brother with just the basics and loved it. About 2 weeks ago I updated and got another Brother with more features. I LOVE this machine! It's a Brother CS6000i. Do a search for it and you'll see how much nicer it is. It was only about $175. I checked all the reviews on Amazon, Walmart and many other sites and everyone just raved about this machine! I decided to order online for site to store pickup that way if I would get a lemon I could return it easily. Not so easy to return on ebay and other places. But I've been using it daily now for about 2 weeks and absolutely love it!

I sew for fun, and my machine is 37 years old and still going strong. wouldn't part with her for nothing. A viking I bought in 1974, It does not do fancy things like I hear others talking about, but I probably wouldn't do those things any ways. Enjoy your machine young lady (smile)

I love my Brothers. Their good machines.

My old Montgomery Wards machine is what I use. I say who cares if it gets the job done.