retired2pa

I love vintage machines, too, and I have a Singer 301a that sews beautifully. I don't use it as much as I should but I do get it out and clean and oil it and sew on it for a while.

Onebyone

I have two vintage Singers. Great machines but I miss the features of my newer machine. Needle up/down, auto thread cutter, and speed control. Those are the three features that I use all the time.

I have ten machines in my sewing room. Two are set up all the time. The others are in cases or rolling totes. Edit: I forgot to count another vintage one, the Singer 185J. Now that is heavy little machine. I can barely lift it. All were given to me or I found at at thrift store. I have Janome, Singer, Brother, Juki, Kenmore, and Bernina. I use to have a Pfaff, New Home, and a Domestic. My favorite is Juki for piecing and quilting and my Bernina for decorative stitches. Oh forgot about my Brother Embroidery machine so that makes 12. I need to regift most of them soon.

eskimommafl

I have a Brother PQ1600S and so far, I love it. Per the internet, "The Brother PQ1600S is an upgraded version of the PQ1500SL, featuring a more robust build for heavy-duty use, improved tension control with a dedicated dial, a built-in knee lifter, and a larger workspace with an enhanced extension table, while sharing core features like high-speed straight stitching (1500 SPM), F.A.S.T. needle threader, and pin feed for quilters, making the PQ1600S a more refined, powerful straight-stitch machine for serious quilters and sewers." I have used mine to sew a baby throw of very fluffy Shannon Cuddle with minky backing, and a couple of purses with layers of vinyl and cork with no issues. My favorite feature is the pin feed mechanism, which is why I bought it. I haven't yet tried it for FMQ, but I plan to. It will be interesting to see what it's like with the feed dogs disengaged. The foot pressure tension and feed dog settings are color-coordinated with each other, which is nice. It has been compared to the Juke TL 2010 and the Baby Lock Accomplish. I chose it because of the pin feed mostly and power at the price point I wanted (TOPS sold it to me for $940; honestly I should have haggled.) Maybe if I looked a little bit longer, I might have chosen BL Accomplish (I have a BL Aventura 2 sewing and embroidery machine, which I love, too), if the Accomplish had better lighting. I haven't really had a problem with seeing (my room is very well lit), but the machine lighting isn't Wow. Otherwise, I am pretty happy with it.

Austinite

I second the Juki 2000, it's got a huge harp and it's an excellent machine, the only difference between it and the 2010 is the speed control and they make you pay for that option! there's also a Brother version of that machine as well. it's worth a trip to Walmart to look at the Brothers for sure!

for a good basic machine, you cannot beat Janome, they have the "couture" machines that come in several colors and they are less than 200 https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Coutur...7GJ/ref=sr_1_4, i know several people that have one of these.

this Janome reminds me of the Walmart Brothers and you get an extension table as well!
https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Fully-...PE/ref=sr_1_10

Austinite

also, see what's on Marketplace and Craigslist, in my city at least, there's always people getting rid of brand new machines that were gifts LOL

Austinite

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XR377...&s=arts-crafts

mkc

Note that this is a topic from 2024 that was bumped by a new member in 2026.

OP has almost assuredly already purchased a new machine.