Best sewing Machine for free-motion machine quilting

This is pretty wide open at the moment.  I have just decided to get a new sewing machine.  Can't quite bring myself to get a long-arm just yet (don't really have the space for it right now).  I am frustrated with the Viking Designer SE.  It just isn't meant for machine quilting, no matter what they say.  I have had constant problems with tension while doing free-motion on it.  I have just got to get something that will make me happier when quilting but it really needs to have something on the designer to justify it - more space in the throat, a stitch regulator...etc.  Is there a machine out there that is really designed for quilting and free-motion quilting other than the long-arms?  I am looking at Janome, Bernina, and Pfaff.  Of course, the issues with Viking are likely to be translated over to the Pfaff now since there is really no difference anymore (at least according to the people I talked to today)  Made by Viking, at the Viking factory, using Viking parts.  Anyway, I am open to suggestions

I have a Bernina (Patchwork Edition) and I totally love it.  It's not one of the high-end Berninas, but it does a nice job all the same.  I brough one of the first quilts I did on it to a local quilt shop and they asked me if I had done it on a long-arm!!

Also, if you are a Price Club/Costco member, they have a Brother on sale there for $177 and there are 5 reviews on it, all from quilters raving about the machine.  For that price it would be hard to go wrong. I'm thinking of getting one as a backup machine.

Hope that helps
Trina

I agree. trying to quilt on something that wasn't designed for it is no fun. The Bernina's are a good choice. They can be a little complex, but if you're looking to get something good..

There's a little written here about the best sewing machines with free-motion.

I have the Viking Sapphire 850 and have done both machine quilting and free motion quilting on it.  It performed like a champ.  There have been tension issues reported with some of the Sapphires, but mine has not given me a lick of trouble.  It has wonderful features designed with a quilter in mind, like needle stop up/down. If needle stops down it will auto lift the presser foot so you can easily pivot fabric.  Also, you can fix stitches at the beginning/end of stitch patterns. Other features can be viewed on HusqvarnaViking.com website.  There are 3 models in the Sapphire line.  Mine is the mid level machine and I am quite satisfied with it, other than piecing because the feed dogs are so wide I guess. Made in Sweden.

Also, have you considered the Janome MC6600P.  It gets rave reviews from quilters.

Bernina 440 has a really neat feature common to long-arm quilting machines: stitch regulator. It has a sensor that knows how quickly you are moving your fabric under the needle so it can automagically slow or speed up the needle to create more even stitching. I cannot tell you how this has changed quilting for me. For very cool tutorials on that machine (and just a fun read) go here: http://www.dognamedbanjo.com/2008/08/03/bernina-aurora-440-qe-free-motion-quilting-part-1-of-2/ and here: http://www.dognamedbanjo.com/2008/08/15/bernina-aurora-440-qe-free-motion-quilting-part-2-of-2-the-bsr/

The first link is her doing free-motion quilting without the stitch regulator but on the 440. The second is with the stitch regulator. SHe has lots of pix and is very good at writing thorough tutorials (and no, it's not my blog!).

I've been thinking of getting a new machine to quilt with also.  Thanks for all the great information!

Thanks for all the information about these machines.  I am also wanting to get a new sewing machine in the next couple of years and I want to be able to free motion quilt more easily. 

I would love it if the stitch regulator feature came out in a more moderately priced machine.  I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a sewing machine right now, but of all the features I wish for, that stitch regulator is the one I want for free motion quilting.

RST

Hi Ladies! I have a question about those expensive sewing machines. Is there a possibility to convert from 110V to 220V?
I live most of the time in the USA but travel several times a year to the Netherlands and like to buy a sewing machine in USA (cheaper) to sew and quilt on in The netherlands.
@ this moment I am in The netherlands and can't do the research myself and on the web I can't find any information.
Thanks so much!

This thread is great - I was just starting on this search myself! Thanks for all the information.

I'm also interested in seeing the responses as I've been wanting a new machine for ages.  I'm looking at a Bernina but they're so bloody expensive!

I would never try to quilt on an SE - now the Sapphire 870 Q - any day!

I have heard the same thing about Pfaff and tried the quilt expression 4.0 at a dealer and it was nice. I played with the stitches a lot and the IDT is great (doesn't apply to free motion, but is a great feature).

I'm not ready for a long arm either, but I did see a mid arm on the HV truck - that might keep me busy for awhile!