rmb282

Thanks for all your input. I am located between Harrisburg and State College so Monroesville is a little ways away. I did do some checking yesterday and I also have a Pfaff dealer about 20 miles away so that might be another option. I could always go to York/Lancaster area but that would be 1.5 hours to get a machine serviced and I don't want to have to do that unless it is the only option. I do not need a lot of fancy stitches but I do use a blind hem and zig zag often for making things other than quilts.

BeckyBryan

Rachel, do you have a Juki dealer in your area? After lots of research, I found Juki's HZL F-600 to have the most features for the money. I followed everyone's advice and test drove many different machines. I fell in love with Berninas -- they are like driving a Mercedes! Unfortunately, I don't have a Mercedes budget! After test driving one at a distant dealer, I ended up purchasing my Juki from allbrands.com for $899. She has a large, tall throat, extra lighting in the throat area, knee-lifter, auto thread cutter (love this!), Oodles of decorative stitches, and much much more! Service from AllBrands has been excellent. I recently discovered that Brother feet will fit her, so that's an another plus! She came with LOTS of extra feet, an excellent manual, and a set of threads. Good luck in your search!

cjaneky

Sewing Machins Plus..online has a Janome 7700 with a payment plan...around 60 a month...no interest...and if you have a Janome dealer there then the service would be on hand should you need it...you could check it out..

ShirlinAZ

Each of us has our own preference so there are as many answers as there are machines. I love Pfaff machines. Don't rush to buy. Go to all the dealers you can and look at all the features. Test them out. Go home and think about it and narrow your choices to a couple of machines. Then go back and look again at those machines. Definitely look at what you are getting for your money. Last year's model will often give you the same (or close) features for far less money than the newest model. I bought my current Pfaff when the new models were coming out. I don't have automatic thread cutter or knee lift, but at half price ($1100 vs $2500) I don't need those features.

Congratulations on your baby and your great DH. Happy sewing with whichever machine you select.

sewbizgirl

I bought a Juki TL2010Q last November and LOVE it! It's all metal, no plastic, and all mechanical-- no computers. It quilts like a dream and is very strong and powerful. Beautiful FMQ. I use it for everything but buttons and buttonholes, as it only straight stitches. I use my old Bernina 830 for buttonholes, and my sergers for seam edgings when sewing clothes. If you will primarily be quilting, the Juki would be excellent. It believe they go for about $850 or $900. I bought mine from Ed Reichert in CA. and they mailed it to me in no time.

Vistacruise

I got a Janome 6600P after an expo. It was well within that price range and I adore it.

MargeD

I love my Janome 4000, and I know there have been several new models since then, but it's great for regular sewing and quilting. I would find a sewing machine dealer and test drive all the various models to find the one that fits you the best, but you really need to try them before you buy one. Congratulations on getting a new machine.

kwiltkrazy

I love my janome 6500, it does everything I want it to, and is very user friendly. But, you have to try them out, try out the used models, lot of them are hardly used. Make sure you can take free classes on how to use your machine. And remember to enjoy yourself. Have fun quilting. Congrats on the baby, they are so fun at that age.

njh2351

I had a janome 6500 traded it for a 7700. I love my machine but would love to get a 6500 back it is a work horse and will sew anything. It has a professional motor and is great! New they are around 1,400 but you can sometimes find a deal!

Oksewnsew

I'm another Janome owner, regular and a combo, sewing/embroidery machine.. I love them..Have had mine for several years and they work fantastic considering all the sewing I do. I just don't think you could go wrong with a Janome..;o)