Michelle, to give yourself a better idea of the variety of brands you might want to pick up a couple quilting magazines. The grocery store usually carries 3 or 4 different magazines. Not only will you get some good patterns and lots of inspiration, but you can check out the ads for machines. Then go to the manufacturer's websites and see their options. Some may even be offering after-Christmas deals. I would also suggest checking out Consumer Reports to see what they have to say about quality, service, and all that. But any machine you get, as long as you can do a couple of stitches, change feet and drop the feed dogs, will make pretty quilts! I used a $69 Kenmore for over 20 years until I bought my fancy Elna and I don't really think I make nicer quilts now than I did then. It's easier to do more things with it, but 99% of what we do is sew a (fairly) straight seam and all of these machines will do that. I don't think you can go wrong. Have fun shopping and let us know what you decide to get! Kate

I think one of the key things to consider is "follow up service". My sister-in-law has a BabyLock Elegante (sew/embroidery) machine & she got 3 years of annual check ups/servicing. The shop has been available by phone for questions/concerns/problems, and it is a LOCAL well established business. They've given her quick service thus far. Now I have a friend who within the last year purchased a Pfaff embroidery machine. She has had some sort of problem/issue & took the machine in for service. While it is a local shop, the husband of the owner of the shop is the "service tech" & he has another regular full time job. Well, he has the machine "apart", has had the machine in the shop for over 3 weeks, & as far as I know, still hasn't diagnosed the problem. 3 weeks is too long, imo.... and with an unknown end point, who knows how long this basically "new" machine will be out of commission? Both of the examples are pricey... $7000 or so... we're not talking about cheap machines. They are quite complex, computerized devices. Not everyone can service them. Also when/if you go to buy.... negotiate for "extras"... like thread, programs, etc. These things add a lot to your overall costs to owning & operating an embroidery machine. Availability of classes is important, too. Some shops have "embroidery clubs". I think that in all likelihood that most any machine today will be fairly comparable & will "fill the bill" especially if you're new to machine embroidery. But the big difference is "Service after the sale"..... check that out carefully, preferably from other customers.

I have an old pre-WWII model singer treadle which I use when I feel nostalgic. When I was in HS I made petticoats to go under poodle skirts with it..and made pretty good money. Also made most of my own clothes. I also have a Necchi Elna which is about 40 years old. It works beaufully, but does not handle heavy fabrics well. Tension problems..it won't climb over the seams. I don't do much sewing anymore, but the maintenance man told me to keep it..it's all metal and made to last.

First, I'm sorry this is so long, but there was so much to say. The only model suggestion I can make with any authority: Pfaff 1069. I have one of these that I bought 20 years ago, and I could not bear to trade it in. It is a sweet machine. Completely mechanical, no computer controls, original list price 20 years ago was $900; I got mine for $700. I have NEVER seen a used one for sale! Sewers love these machines. If you see one, snap it up and pay to have it serviced. There are a number ways to acquire a good used machine. Look for machines that have not been used much (gifts or abandoned hobbies), although theres probably no way to be sure how much the previous owner used the machine. Some used machines just need servicing: a good cleaning and tune up, which you can always get from your dealer after you buy any machine. Having to pay for servicing drives up the initial cost of your used machine. I suppose the cost varies depending on where you live, but I always expect to pay $60 to $80 for a thorough repair and service. Then again, I own some complex machines, so my estimates may be high. The advantage of buying a used machine from an independent dealer is that he has already done the cleaning and tune up and any needed adjustments and repairs as he was getting the machine ready for resale. Another place to check for refurbished sewing machines is your local vacuum and sewing repair shop. ThereÂs a vacuum shop near me where the owner is not a dealer of any new sewing machines, but he does sewing machine repair (and vacuum repair) and has an entire assortment of used machines, which he has fixed up for resale. Again, these are all "ready to go" when you buy them. (I lusted after the industrial Bernina for $500, but where would I put it and how could I explain it to my husband?) Look for the popular high-end brands: Pfaff, Bernina, Janome, Brother, Viking, Baby Lock  IÂm sure there are other good brands, but IÂd avoid Singer and Kenmore. I canÂt recommend specific models, but there does seem to be a sliding scale of features from low-end to high-end machines. This does not mean that a low-end machine is necessarily no good, only that it doesnÂt have as many features. Low-end machines tend to not have the ability to lower the feed dogs. However, they usually have a plastic cover for the feed dogs so you can do free motion work. Check that all the presser feet are with the machine. There should be a tool box or accessory box with some presser feet and other tools. Having an instruction book is a big plus, but those are often separated from the machine. This is where it pays to do your homework by looking at new machines at your dealer and noting how each model moving up the price scale adds more features and what those features are. Some features to pay attention to: Adjustable needle position  left, right, center or (on high-end machines) multiple adjustments points, left to right. Button holes: they tend to be easier to do or more automatic as you move up the price scale. Also, different types of button holes. For instance, you usually donÂt see a keyhole button hole on a low-end machine. Specialty straight and zig zag stitches: a hem stitch, variations on zig zag stitches, a triple stitch zig zag, an edge joining stitch. This is not a complete list, but look for some variations. Knit stitches, a straight knit stitch and a selection of knit overlock stitches. Knit hem stitch. Doing knit stitches requires the machine to sew forward and backward in the stitch pattern, and some low-end machines donÂt have any knit stitches. Decorative stitches. The more decorative stitches there are, probably the higher up the model ladder. However, my experience is that you can get by with no decorative stitches at all. I think they are a sales feature "This machine does 125 different stitches!!" but they really arenÂt all that useful unless you have some specific need. Good Hunting!! CMC