anita211

I have used a Brother CS600i for several years. I am learning how to machine quilt on it, even though the throat is small. There is more than one way to skin a cat... Go with what you can afford. Don't be swayed by a machine that has dozens of bells and whistles. You might find that you don't use most of them.

sweetlummi

WOW . 30 you must have some great quilt there , I just started my husband found a machines at a yard sale for $20 and for just start it work good. Some day if I get good would love a nice one but for passing time this is good

IdahoSandy

I have heard good things about the Janome 7700. I have a computerized Brother Cs6000I with 63 different stitches. Rarely use the fancy stitches, just buttonhole or zigzag, am not getting much from the 63 stitches. I want to buy the Janome 7700 this fall, so if you buy this machine, let me know how you like it. The one thing you do not have if you buy new off the internet is the warranty is not valid unless you buy through a dealer. The prices are better off internet than through a dealer. Good luck.

k9dancer

I like to do most of my work on a vintage Featherweight. I FMQ on it too, and even thought the harp is not huge, I have done king sized quilts on it. Most of my quilts are smaller than that, and a larger harp is the one thing I'd love to have on that machine.

For appliques, I use an old Kenmore that has a blind hem stitch that I can adjust to make a blanket stitch.

A couple of weeks ago I started (and had to finish) a quilt top on a more modern machine. I had it out to make a label for another quilt, and without thinking, started piecing on it. Never again. I had more problems with that than I ever have on my older machines. Vintage is the way to go IMHO.

QandE2010

Very good advice.

#1piecemaker

I just went to Walmart and bought a cheap Brother machine. It has all the features you need and is less than two hundred. In fact the one I got was 139.00. Has the drop down feed dogs and lots of stitches. Has a 25 year warantee.

Central Ohio Quilter

I have been quilting for over 30 years, all on my 1969 Singer Stylist. A few years ago I got my mother's Singer 301. I love them both. And they are the only ones I have ever used. As others have said, don't feel the need to buy a grand machine when a plainer will do the job you need!

mpspeedy

I always have to laugh when I see posts like yours. The modern day quilter seems to have totally abandoned the art of hand quilting. Even one of my guilds that is running a begginer workshop listed as the final step they would teach as preparing your quilt for the long armer. I am predominately a hand quilter but do make approxamately 20 simple Linus quilts a month. I make them of child friendly prints on one side and flannel on the other. I then actually machine quilt them about 4" apart in vertical rows, with a simple decorative stitch and finish up by sewing a line of stitching around the outside edge to create a binding effect. I make the quilt sandwhich by the envelope or pillowcase method where I sew around three sides of the sandwhich with my serger and then birth the quilt before doing the machine quilting with a decorative stitch. I own two Bernina's a basic 200 that is light enough weight to take it to workshops and on retreat etc. For my major sewing I purchased a used Bernina artista 185 by trading in the Bernina 1260 I had purchased 20 years ago when I worked for a dealer. It had cost me $1800 with my employee discount. The Artista can also have an embroidery module but I didn't want it. I have two stand alone embroidery machines and a Singer Featherweight I found at a yardsale for just $20. I sometimes use it for piecing.
Shop around until you find a machine that suits your needs and pocketbook. I have to have the needle down capacity and I love the Bernina knee lift which makes it easy to always keep your hands on the quilt while you are working. I couldn't live without my ability to sew even a few decorative stitches. The one I use the most for my Linus quilts is just a soft wavy pattern that looks great with varigated thread.

Jingle

Over sell is why I usually read and learn as much as I can and buy online. Can't be oversold that way. I have two straight stitch only machines. I love them both and I only do straight stitching and FMQ. They both have 9" throats and I can quilt a queen or bigger quilt. My daughter has a straight stitch only machine with 9" harp, she loves it. All three of above machines were different prices and basically are the same.

Buy only a machine that has what you need now, later you can upgrade if you need more.

dorrell ann

I have a mid arm machine on a frame= but the one I sew on all the time comes from walmart -it cost between $200-$300 =they usually last 4-5 years and I am well satisfied.