How much is the most you would pay for a machine?

[Cat n bull]

I don't have a pre-determined limit. When I got my machines the dealer offered me trade in deals, so I sewed on a few machines, and got the one that I LOVED the most. I am not interested in a new machine, but if/when I am I'll do the same thing.

I have been sewing now for over 23 years and for the vast majority of those years I sewed on an inexpensive machine, or used a needle and thread and did it by hand. Getting a sweet top of the line machine was like driving a Cadillac after riding a tricycle all my life. Sure I CAN sew on a basic machine, I made dance costumes for years on one and they were beautiful. A lot of people don't really care as long as they get from point A to point B. Not me anymore! I want to get to point B as smoothly as possibly on a straight sure path that takes little effort to maintain.

I used to sew for 8-10 hours a day 7 days a week in the middle of dance costume season, having an awesome machine made a world of difference.

[Genny]

Years ago I had a Gammill Long Arm machine that I paid $7000 for and sold it when we moved into our now much smaller home. I purchased a used Janome 11000se for $3100 and a few months later traded it for a new Janome 7700, I love the deep throat space the 7700 has. I think I would probably pay somewhere around $3000 for a great machine although theres many great machines around for a lot less then that. Some of this depends on if you have a fovorite brand or not, in my case Janome.

[Bubby]

I am thinking about buying a new machine, but the prices on the high-end machines are staggering! I am shopping for features and then I will deal with price. A good place to look is www.sewingmachinesplus.com. They carry all price ranges of the most popular machines and offer interest-free payments. I'm pretty sure I will buy another Janome. The one I have now is the Memory Craft 4000 and it's been a great machine - it just doesn't have the newer features I want. If I was younger I would spring for a Janome Memory Craft SE 11000, which costs about $6,000. I keep my machines for a long time.

[csarina]

Well, I guess I paid the most I would ever pay for a machine when I bought my Janome 12000 at Christmas, I certainly have no plans to change it, even if they bring one out that makes tea and sweeps the floor!!

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Well, I guess I paid the most I would ever pay for a machine when I bought my Janome 12000 at Christmas, I certainly have no plans to change it, even if they bring one out that makes tea and sweeps the floor!!

And the winner is......csarina! It looks so lovely, sews so much stuff, costs as much as a new car. I hope you love it for a long long time! I'm sure you will!

[Hulamoon]

I made a mistake. I bought my brother for shirring not serging. I couldn't get my viking to do it and found out only none computerized machines work best for shirring.

Now I have a babylock ellagante embroidery machine.I was lucky that we refinanced the house and my hubby let me buy it. But it was $6,000. My daughter is the only one that uses it to make gifts for her friends.

http://www.urbanthreads.com/

I wanted to sell it but maybe I should break into using it. It has more stitches than my Rose. For some reason I can't get used to it though.

Lorie

[EnumclawGramma]

I have sewed for years on my Pfaff Variamatic. I loved this easy to use machine and it served me quite well, and now my Grandaughter is learning to make her own quilts on it. It's a strong machine. Small for what I want, and doesn't like FMQing. My DH bought it for me for Christmas 15 years ago at just over $400. Now I'm loving my Singer Quantum Stylist. It hums along and has been really easy to get to know. Funny thing is....I paid less for it than my DH paid for my Pfaff and it does WAY more. I expect it to be my best friend for several years. I do have my eye on the HQ Sweet Sixteen, but doubt that will ever be reality....$5000+!

[Claire Hallman]

I was amazed at myself for paying $1200 for a used machine but I am very happy I did. It does everything I want it to and way more. Perhaps one day I will use all the stitches.

[Bubby]

I guess I can re-answer this question since I bought a new machine today. Progress is amazing....20 years ago I paid well over $3000 for my Janome MC4000....today I bought the Janome 9500 for $2000 (on sale) and it does so much more than the 4000. Electronics have come a long way!

[Winniesfriend]

I bought the Janome 7700 a few months ago, I wanted a machine that would do a lot and would last a long time, I figure I might as well get the best I can whilst I am working and can afford it, children have all left home so just hubby and I at home, I also have the embroidery machine Janome 350e which i bought second hand, I wanted to try embroidery out without spending a lot of money on a machine, whilst I like the machine a lot the images on the machine are only in black and white so at some stage I will upgrade the machine to one that has colour pictures, not yet, I heard a rumour Janome might be bringing out a new stand alone embroidery machine so fingers crossed it will have what I want.