Cindysue2

Thank you so much for taking all the time and you had some great tips I appreciate. I know it must have a needle threader and auto cutter. Those are interesting features that you can program. Just more to think about.

Cindysue2

Big throat is another reason I am looking. Thank you

Peckish

As others have said, it's very subjective. So much depends on your personal tastes, how you plan to use it, and your budget.

I own 7 machines and by far my favorite is the Brother PQ1500. It's a straight-stitch only, big workhorse. If it ever dies beyond repair I'll immediately replace it. However, you may want decorative stitches, or a smaller machine to lug to classes and retreats, or it may not fit your budget.

Austinite

I don't know how much it is normally since it seems to vary so much, at the time (2013-14 I think but I'm not sure) it was $1200. I ended up getting the Juki 2010 for $899. I went back and forth a bit but since my other machines are mechanical and simple I decided the simpler machine was the best for me. The 8200 had some really nice stitch options and sewed very smoothly and a larger throat than the 2010

CSB

Which Bernina are you considering? (I'm choosing between Bernina 570QE and Janome 6700P and feel confused! They both seem like great machines for my needs.

cashs_mom

I was looking for a machine with a larger harp space earlier this year. The new Bernina's were way more money than I wanted to spend so I ended up buying the Juki 2200 QVP Mini. Its a very nice machine and I'm enjoying it. Right now, I'm FMQ'ing a large quilt on it and the large throat spaces makes it so much easier and more enjoyable. No more scrunching the quilt and stuffing it thru the harp to move on to another area.

WMUTeach

I purchased a new machine three weeks ago. I went to the shop with my budget in mind, features that I wanted and recommendations from others. Of course there were machines "on sale". Looked at them for the features I wanted. I asked why on sale and found that all three models were being discontinued and new models were to be introduced in the next couple of months. That said, all machines would have all warranties honored. The most advanced (recent) machine of these "sale" machines was outside of my budget. I went home and came back a few days later with a clear head and physically sewed on three machines. When I wavered, I was offered a top end machine that had been gently used and that was only $100 over my budget but it came with warranties, class, all that a new machine had. I bought it. I have enjoyed sewing on my machine, no problems and it really is like new. Moral of my story is to choose what you like but also consider a used machine to allow you to get a better machine. Far too many machines are now in the three thousand dollar and up category and outside of my budget. I got more machine that I expected for about $900 dollars less than a new model of the same machine. Moral #2 take your time.

Rhonda Lee

I love my Baby Lock upgraded Ellisimo sewing and embroidery machine. It's been wonderful to have harp space for my quilting needs. Baby lock has a wide range of machines and prices. I also have two old machines that I use often; one is a 1957 Singer 99, and one I take to classes is model 120 Husqvarna. Its date is somewhere in the 60's. New and old, I love them.

sewbizgirl

The top Babylock models have huge harp space!

nabobw

In our little sewing group 3 of us just got the Janome 9400 and love it. It is an amazing machine.