Sewing Machine for quiltmaking ?

Can anyone give the scoop on a good machine for craft sewing, mainly for
piecing and machine-quilting? I would like to get the best quality for this
type of usage. I'm not interested in fancy embroidery options, just a good
range of fancy stitches maybe a few built in embroidery options. My price
range is 2K or under. So far I've looked at Bernina (155?) and Viking
(Platinum models and maybe the Designer II?), all of which were in my price
range. I have not looked at Baby Lock or Elna.

The machines I tried seemed okay, but I really can't tell how they will
stand up over time or when working on large projects.

Any tips?

Karen

Karen Totten wrote:

Can anyone give the scoop on a good machine for craft sewing, mainly for
piecing and machine-quilting? I would like to get the best quality for this
type of usage. I'm not interested in fancy embroidery options, just a good
range of fancy stitches maybe a few built in embroidery options. My price
range is 2K or under. So far I've looked at Bernina (155?) and Viking
(Platinum models and maybe the Designer II?), all of which were in my price
range. I have not looked at Baby Lock or Elna.

The machines I tried seemed okay, but I really can't tell how they will
stand up over time or when working on large projects.

Any tips?

Karen


For quilting, you can't beat a Singer 301, but it's a
straight stitch machine. For fancier stitching, a Singer
401 has just about anything you would ever need. But
these are far below your budgeted amount.
--

Joanne @ stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us
http://bernardschopen.tripod.com/
Life is about the journey, not about the destination.