marymay

Oh yes. My DH bought me a Janome 6500P over a year ago.$2199.00. Used it one time. Now trying to sale it for
1500$. Please never tell your DH that you need or want a new machine.At least not mine.I love him BUT!!! This is how I feel about sewing machines. It's like a bra,if it don't fit you don't buy it.

MarleneC

A year ago I bought a Viking Ruby--I knew I didn't want to pay the extra for the Diamond and I'd never use the huge hoop. Until lately kept going back to the Viking Designer 1 as I was so comfortable with it but had to get out of my box. Years ago I had a TOL Elna that used cams but thought I wanted a newer machine and I traded that in for an Elna Quilter's Dream which I could not get the needle threader to work for me and I sold it. I am happy with Viking machines but not the price of attachments or software. I'm still using the 3DStudio program which suits my needs. As others have suggested--try out the various brands and makes of the machines.

quilter1943

I've purchased two in the past 15 years - last one a Pfaff for 5K and I love it. Don't use all of the features and probably never will, but the stitch is amazing and some of the features I use a lot wouldn't have been on a less expensive machine. Try them out and ask questions to see what each machine offers. Maybe you can find what you want on a less expensive one.

Jacque

I looked and looked and made a list and checked it twice!!I really wanted a Bernina as my old one is a Bernina. Well, the salesman was rude so I went right over to the Janome. It's an OK machine but I'm still miffed that I didn't get a Bernina. And the fault is all mine.

sassymoose

I have a Bernina series 8 820 I bought almost a year ago and have never regretted it.

Ruby the Quilter

I just up graded to the Janome Horizo n12000 and love it. It does lots of things I may never use. So just consider if you would use all the things it offers. But boy does it sew great. The 2 lights and magnifier is absolutey wonderful.

sar04tamu

I'm looking into upgrading from my Brothers CS6000i. I don't plan on going quite as high end, but my budget keeps creeping up as I do more research. I am more than willing to buy a used machine, but where does everyone find them? In town I have Pfaff, Babylock, and Bernina dealers, and none of them have any trade-ins. The closest dealers for Viking, Janome, and Juki are 100+ miles away, not very convenient for maintenance or repairs.

Ruralgirl61

I would suggest you figure out what kind of sewing you are going to do first. If it is just mending and utility sewing, I wouldn't buy a real expensive machine. If you enjoy doing home decor like making curtains, pillows, etc. Then a mid price machine would be great. But if you love to sew or quilt a work outside the box then a high end machine is wonderful. I have made many very challenging items from tailored ladies suits to a "latte Quilt" that had very intricate machine embroidery. I enjoyed every minute that I spent on my machine(Viking Diamond). I am always taking classes to expand my knowledge and get my money's worth for the machine. I am now taking a quilt class called the "Stitcher's Garden". It is a class where you learn to use all the beautiful decorative stitchers. It is unbelieveable what you can do with these machines. Check with different dealers and make SURE they offer classes for you to learn the machine. Many also offer monthly classes including embroidery and software.
Just my two cents worth.

stitchesttzke

I bought a Viking Diamond and just traded it in for the VD Deluxe. I am the queen of embellishment on ready made, home dec and quilts. I have no regrets. I justified spending the money because we are homebodies during the winter and I have a hobby that keeps my mind occupied and family and friends like getting special gifts.
I have gotten my g'daughter interested in quilting and gave her my Viking 230. She just finished her first quilt and it was hung up in the library at her high school.

Gabrielle's Mimi

No regrets here. I bought my Bernina 730 a few years ago when it was the top of the line. I love it and wouldn't trade it even for the newer (and much more pricey) 830. You get what you pay for. You can always "grow into" a better machine with more capabilities, but you may be sorry if you under-buy and outgrow the machine in 6 mos. or a year.