JustAbitCrazy

It seems like you want two opposing things. You want a large harp for quilting (which means a larger, not portable machine) and you want portability. If I were you I think I'd take a long look around to see if there was a space somewhere where you could permanently keep a machine on a desk and give up the portability, maybe in a basement, spare bedroom, etc. Then you could buy the machine you really need and not worry about lugging it around every time you feel creative or have some time to quilt.

jmoore

You would not be disappointed in a Janome 6600 MC if you had a $1000 budget. It has a 9-inch throat space and I take it to Sit & Sews and classes nearly every week. It has a library of embroidery stitches but is great for FMQ. Good luck in your decision. New machines are so much fun...

pocoellie

i don't have any knowledge of the above machines, but they all seem to have a good reputation, but one thing I would like to say is, stay away from any new or low end Singer. The tension problem on your Brother might possibly be you moving the quilt too fast and/or too slow.

KwiltyKahy

I love all 4 of my Brothers. If you can get to a dealer, trying out the machines is the best. And a dealer will possibly have trade ins, which can give you more bang for the buck and support if needed.

IceLeopard

I've just looked at the reviews for this machine, and am a bit confused. Let me preface by saying I have a White Jeans Machine, circa 1990. Straight mechanical, 5 or 6 utility stitches only. All metal construction -- my DD accidentally backed the car over it and it only got a few scratches.

What does it mean by "dual feed presser foot?" A walking foot?

What is an External dual feed adjuster?

What does a knee lift do? My MIL's ancient cabinet Pfaff had a knee control rather than a foot pedal and I hated it. But this isn't a cabinet model, so it can't be that.

What is a twin needle guard? I know about using twin needles on my White, but the guard part has me baffled.

Lady Diana

Check with your Mom...tell her you were looking at machines and wondered what her budget is. Then go and test the Janomes. They have a wide variety. The 6600 is a workhorse of a machine. The accufeed is a built in walking foot, gives you more visibility than a separate walking foot. Lots of decorative stitches. There are sever Janome yahoo groups out there that can also answer questions. I have Janome 6600, Janome Skyline 7, 11000SE, 8900,and now the 15000 (embroidery/quilting) that one is top of the line. Ask your dealer for sales, show specials or gently owned and you can find great pricing.....but call your Mom first.

sef0181

I will add this to my list!

I'd say you definitely summed it up! Right now I'm in a 900 sq foot home, and the only place I could set up a permanent workspace would be the garage, which wouldn't be bad during the spring and fall, but it's not temperature controlled. We also have a gorgeous screened in patio that is just calling for me to drag everything out there to work on. I won't be carrying it far, so to me, spending 2 minutes carrying awkward or heavy items but having an easier time when I sew, is more important than being able to carry it one handed, if that makes sense. But I didn't want to get something that either a) is not designed to be put into a carrying case or b) is dainty enough to break when moved several hundred times in the next few years, until I get my quilting space in the next house.

Hello! I can answer a couple of these questions based on my recent research- I know a knee lift is a bar that will allow you to raise and lower the pressure foot by simply lifting your knee. Dual feed is designed for two fabrics, whereas a walking foot will help you get through more layers, but they have some of the same qualities. The external adjuster means you can fiddle settings without having to open anything.

Kitsie

From what I can find, the throat space on the Eversewn is 7.5" which is fairly generous. I'd like to try it also, but with my Pfaff (and we don't travel) I have no excuse to!

Onebyone

The Eversewn Hero is sewing and embroidery machine. Here is a link. http://www.eversewn.com/hero/

I read several bloggers that used this machine and no bad reviews at all. I haven't seen it in person though. The price is under $600. I would buy it from Amazon and test it out. You can return if you aren't sure about it. I will say using embroidery for quilting isn't a simple process.

For a regular non embroidery machine I would suggest the Sparrow 30.

oh munner

Absolutely love my new Janome Skyline 5!!!! Had a Baby Lock Quilters Choice for several years and had nothing but one problem after another with it!!!! Wouldn't give you two cents for any Baby Lock machine, but boy, oh boy, my Janome is just as nice as the Bernina I had for years and far more affordable!!!!