Huggynana

My DD gave me a Brother CS6000i this past Christmas. I wanted something light enough to travel with and when I discovered that I could leave the pedal at home, I was very pleased. It can be operated by button, has several speeds and was purchased at Walmart for less than $150 (before tax). Oh, it also does 60 different stitches.

Feathers-N-Fur

I have a Juki F600. I paid $1000 new 18 months ago. It has a start/ stop button, speed adjustment, thread cutter, knee lift and an 8.5" harp. It came with all my necessary quilting feet and a quilting table.

qwkslver

I second that. You are my hero!

cynicalbeauty

Thanks everyone! At least I have some ideas now! Happy Quilting!

jbaby

I also have the Janome 6600 with a start/stop button. Love love love my machine! It also has a "knee-lift" bar for the foot so you can pick up the foot/turn fabric without moving your hands. I think mine was less than $1500 a few years back. I got it because it fulfilled my current needs of a semi-newbie, but it was fancy enough that I can see myself growing into it without having to upgrade for many many years. A good balance.

Sewnoma

The comment about voice-activated machines is kind of funny, but probably actually pretty true! No reason they couldn't make them this way now! "Siri, give me a 3mm zig zag, 50% speed!" LOL

I want a machine that watches my shoulders as I'm quilting, and will slow down the machine as my shoulders creep upwards, stopping if they get too high. THAT might finally break my terrible habit of clenching them all up around my neck as I do my FMQ!