CarolynW

The Designer 1 was bought several years ago by my nephew's mother-in-law and she was elderly and wasn't able to master it. I bought it with the idea that it would be nice to download embroidery designs to a floppy disk then insert it in the machine to sew out. I wasn't aware that it needed to go through the software first to get it in the right format. I opened the software and looked at the book and decided I'm not capable of doing that either. I took the machine to a dealer/repairman and asked him to tell me how many hours it had been used and he said 69 minutes so it's like new. I have a friend who has a machine like it and she loves it; they do embroider beautifully but I sew on a Bernina and have an older Brother that I still use for embroidering. It just sits here unused.

green pen

I would also talk to a well-known sewing machine repair person. They seem to know about quality and manufacturers.

Dee

How wonderful. Good Luck!!

skothing

I had the 850 and loved it, upgraded to diamond and i can't imagine another machine as wonderful. i have heard the new emerald is having lots of problems.

Janette

Check Bernina if you are looking for a good basic machine. Bernina has brought out two new lower-price models to replace their Activa line. Their current Activas are being sold at large discounts. I just purchased an Activa PE 230 (quilting model), new, listed at $1,600 for $950 at my local LQS. Doesn't do embroidery but has 70 stitches, is relatively lightweight and sews beautifully.

GailG

Me, too!

Big Red

I love my Phaff,l

Sheesh

I would try out any that I could but also consider the service and reception of the store selling the item. Do you sincerely feel you will get extra assistance if you have trouble with the machine or just don't understand how to do something. Will they do it free or charge you for their time each time you ask to be shown something? I live in a relatively small area and so bought a Husky serger 60 miles a way. They will give free lessons but I hate the drive. I bought a Baby Lock quilter and love it. It was a demo used in classes at a quilt expo so got it half price. E Burns had taught and there were several new machines for the class to use and then sold 1/2 off with financing free for 12 months. I really like it. Love the 3 stich in place start up, push a button at end of seam and it locks the stitch ( 3 stitches in place), thread cut off button, presser foot lift button. Lots of auxillary stitches and lettering. Good Luck. Let us know what you get.

deltaquilter

The Janome Horizon is a superb machine, I love it. It has an 11" throat, thread cutter, built in walking foot, so many nice features that I can't list them. I had a Bernina QE with the stitch regulator and sold it because it did not sew fast enough for me, had a short work space and I found I could do free motion better without the BSR. I would absolutely get the Horizon. Check out the Janome website.

sentra

I started out with Viking Topaz 20, 3-months later, upgraded to Viking Designer Diamond (costs more).
I do so much quilting and designing on quilts, I am
so very happy with it. Just go to different stores that
handle different models, ask for a demo. GOOD LUCK!