My first quilting sewing machine was a $80 Brother that I bought at WalMart for my daughter, and after about 4 years of hard use by her (moving to college, etc.), I used it for quilting for about a year. I made my first queen sized quilt on it. A machine doesn't have to be expensive to work well...just a good brand.

I would be hitting the CL and picking up a vintage machine for $35 to $50 and use it like you stole it!!

You will get a nice machine that can be wrked on by yourself and it will not fall apart around its self.

Billy

Thanks so much for all your input everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that my awesome husband took me out to a sewing shop this afternoon and bought me a Janome Sewist 500 for mother's day (a little early) :D He had contacted the store last week looking for an affordable machine, it looks great and I can't wait to try it!

[quote=mickey]check craigslist.com in your area. you might find a bargain.

YES! I have purchased 8 vintage machines off of craigslist. A few of them have been a two or three hour drive from our home but most of them have been from the town we live in. And, I have to say, I have met the nicest people. Also, I have not had any problems. And another note: several prices have been $50, $75, $100 and $125. With Lostn51's (Billy) tutorials on how to clean and service them, you should do well. Ask the people to email you pictures from all angles of the machine. This will help you make up your mind.

Your daughter is very cute. I hope you enjoy each moment of her little life. It goes so fast!

What a sweet hubby you have! :) I don't think you've done badly at all...Janome is a good machine, and I think you'll be using it for years to come! :)
Congrats! What are you going to name her? ;)

My wife and I were looking at you avatar an I told her that those cheeks were primed and ready for some serious kissing!!!

Anytime you need a baby sitter just send her our way!!!

Billy

Yea!!! I am so happy for you!! It reminded me of me almost 50 years ago. I had my first baby and my hubby had the only car all the time! The fact I didn't have a drivers license never entered into it!! I am looking forward to seeing some quilts from you now!!

Ditter

P.S. ....Welcome to the board! :)

Not all sellers on ebay are relyable is true but there are those who are. We restore vintage machines many of which are posted on ebay like the latest Husqvarna Viking 21(which I shared the abilities of in the Vintage machine charm post). We give a return policy and make sure before the machine is even marketed it is in top condition. We video tape our machines in action so the potential buyers can see what a machine does, know what the knobs are and hear the machine etc. When we ship we send Fexex for care and speed my husband packs the machines with great care and probably far more material then needed, but we want our buyers to get the machine the way we expect to get it So- know your seller