Charlee

I have the Janome 8077, qubby just bought it for me in September, and I love the thing! It has MORE than I need for quilting and sewing...the price was right...

Deb watkins

Needle up/down, ability to move r/l, drop in bobbin. I do have the knee lift, but haven't used it yet ??? I upgraded from the DC3050 to the Memory Craft 4900 because I wanted more decoratie stitches. I also notice that the 'bed' of the machine )front to back)is a little wider (not the throat) and I also like the Janome feature of the slanted front piece which makes it easier for me to see what I am working on.

Rose Marie

Mine is a Viking Sapphire 830 and when you set it for needle down the foot automatically lifts a little when you stop sewing so you can move the fabric around. I love that feature. It also has a 10 inch throat and many different stitchs.
If you are looking for a feature for free motion you cant beat the Bernina stitch regulator. That is the one feature I wish I had.

BellaBoo

I tried the knee lift. It feels so awkward but I'll try to remember to use it.

Shadow Dancer

Needle up/down, thread cutter is nice, but it wouldn't be a feature that would be the deciding factor whether to buy a machine or not. I have a thread cutter on my Grand Quilter and I don't use it, I am not spending hours clipping those silly little tails of thread it leaves behind.

I have a knee lifter which hangs on the wall for decoration, my machine I can set it to needle down and whether I want the foot to raise and what height.

BellaBoo

I use the thread cutter when piecing. I don't like clipping the thread tails when machine quilting unless I'm at the edge of the quilt.

MadQuilter

built-in walking foot
needle up/down
low bobbin indicator
large throat opening
needle position left/right
good lighting
easy bobbin winder (that does not disrupt sewing)
consistent blanket stitch

Those are mine

Oklahoma Suzie

all good choices.

Blockhead

Don't discount the vintage Singers, especially if you don't have a lot of cash. They are cheap, reliable, make a beautiful stitch and you can get a large range of feet and accessories either cheap or free with the machine.

I'm using a Singer 201 for FMQ and it's brilliant! Straight stitch only, so no stitch wobbles. The feed dogs drop, it takes a regular needle, there is masses of room in the harp. Mine has a knee control, which I find can do very presice stops.

Some beautiful antique quilts were made on these style machines, without a lot of expensive do-dads - you don't NEED them (but they are certainly nice to have if you have the money).

littlehud

I think a Janome would be great. I like needle up and down and I like to be able to move my needle over to get my seam allowance where I want it. Some other stitches are always a plus. You don't have to spend a lot to get a good machine.