Briarberry

I have been looking for a FW for months but they are very expensive around here. While looking for the FW I have purchased a Singer 185J which is a nice 3/4 machine, I bought it because it was cheap and green. I also found a lovely 99K which is the same size as the 185J, I love how it purrs when I use it. Just this weekend I brought home a tan 301a which I can see becoming my favourite machine. It is called the FW's big sister sometimes. It is full sized but only weighs 16 lbs. Mine came in a lovely cabinet and it pops out easily for when I need to use it for a class. So what I am saying is, you can find lots of nice machines besides the FW. If I do find one for a reasonable price I may buy it but I am very pleased with the stitches the 301a makes and I like the look of the 301a too.

collady

OH YES!!!!! I love mine, and feel so thankful that my sister-in-law didn't want it as it was her mother's and now mine!

Toucanlady

I have a Bernina 930 and an Activa 135 and bought a cheap Brother because it was light weight and I go to a sewing group every Tuesday and my Berninas are way too heavy. I do not love the Brother so was wishing for a FW after doing some research on this site. Lo and behold, my sister still had my mother's FW and it is to be mine as soon as I go back to the states and pick it up. I am so excited to be getting a FW and the fact that it made all of my clothes for the first 16 years of my life is an extra hug!

carolynjo

I inherited a FW and I love it for piecing. The stitches are so even and the feed dogs feed the fabric very evenly, something one of my newer machines does not do. So, yes, I love it.

Z

You said that you couldn't quilt on your Elna because of the zigzag plate. You can get a little snap on plate that covers the hole to allow for free motion quilting. Have you tried using a walking foot for regular, not free motion, quilting? You can get an open toe foot so that it is easier to see what you are doing. This allows you to use the built in stitches. The wavy zigzag or serpentine makes a wonderful design. Give it a try. I use both my Elna Super 62C and 64 for
quilting.

patdesign

[QUOTE=AZ Jane;5163812]LOL, I'm new to quilting but have managed to collect 5 machines so far, only one with auto-threader. I found a serger threader at Jo-Ann's. It is like a regular needle threader but way longer and it makes it much easier to thread all my machines. If you are having trouble seeing that tiny, tiny hole I highly recommend them. Here is a picture but I have seen them in other colors.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]329943[/ATTACH]

Butler Floss Threaders also work

river rat

I love my FW and I take it out once in awhile. It has a nice stitch, but for classes I take my Singer 301 or my Singer 99K. Not afraid to leave when we break for lunch.

sewbeadit

I have several and they are great. Depends on what you want. If you like the look, the feel, and the fun of having one, buy it, if you don't buy a new one.

dmsaki

I had a FW that I sold 2 years ago. Don't miss it. I love my Viking Sapphire 875. Up/down needle, cuts thread, cruise control... I'll take that any day over a FW.

vickie1976

After having a Viking Designer (1, then SE, now Diamond) I couldn't amagine sewing without all the bells and whistles, especially the thread cutter. Go with whatever you are comfortable with.