I have Janomes and wouldn't want anything else. Love, love, love my machines!

WOW... this is some great advice. I love all the comparison information. I will go check out the Quiltmaker issue too. I do believe the one we looked at was a Singer Futura. The second machine was, it was 699. It did embroidery, applique and straight sticth.

I had not thought of getting two machines one for sewing and one for embroider. I think DH would pass out if I mentioned that one. LOL. But, now I have some hints to go on.

Thank you all so much for the help.

The Viking Emerald 116(not 126) is one of my favorite machines to sell, its a good basic machine and easy to use.
Sharon

Kwim??????

I have one embroidery machine and one every day sewing machine. The nice thing is you can use both machines for different projects at the same time so to speak. Plus if you have a problem with the embroidey/sewing machine...you can't do either! It is something to think about having two different machines for two different purposes.

Kwim = Know what I mean?

Yes, it's internet speak. LOL. I've been posting on Military Wives sites and craft sites for about 10 years, there are TONS of them. I don't use much of them, because I can type, but that one seem to stick with me.

Also... IMHO. = In my humble opinon. I also post on Debate sites and Christian forums. You just pick it up. I've seen some here I do not know though. Quilting terms. But, I'll catch on. ;)

I have two Brother embroidery machines and love them. They can sew or embroider. Don't know what to say about that price. I had taken one of my machines in for maintenance and a woman was in looking at some machines and said she had bought a machine from JoAnn's and had to bring it in just after she bought it as JoAnn's doesn't service machines. The Brother dealer told her Singer is still going on the fact that it was a great machine but no longer is. I don't know don't have one myself. A Singer treadle is what I learned on and I have bought 3 of them since I started sewing. I know longer have one but they were great machines but I have been told the quality has really gone down hill. On a different subject I have Hoover Windtunnel vacuum machines and the dealer who does maintenance on my three vacuum cleaners remarked when I went to pick it up that I had bought the best one and that people don't realize that the ones they get at Wal-Mart and such just aren't that great of quality. Brands have so many different makes and models that it is very confusing. I don't want to bad mouth anyone brand as I don't know that much about all the different kinds. I think it depends on what you want your machine to do. The prices vary so much.

brother has a new small machine, the se500, that sews and also embroiders. it isn't fancy, but it's for the beginning machine embroiderer. i believe it is supposed to be retailing for $300' i was going to get one, but a friend gave me her se400. good luck in your search. after you've found your machine you can go to emblibrary.com.

Go with a vintage Singer 401 or 403 - great machines. You should be able to find one for less than $200 and make sure it is in working order. You can search this board for lots of info. Then when you need something embroidered go pay someone who knows how to do it. I have talked to more people who so rarely use the embroidery features...