I have 3 machines - each with different features.
1. 1947 Singer Featherweight. Absolutely wonderful for picture perfect straight stitching and lightweight enough to tote around.
2. Bernina 820 (the quilter's edition of the 830). Yes, unknowingly I bought a "beta-test" machine. It's fussy about its thread and I have to get out the manual to guide me when doing something new. It's best features is the 12" throat plate area, the knee lift & the needle down. It was very expensive and I wish I could get a fair trade-in price on the 880 - as it is the body of the 820 without the 820 bugs. But I guess Bernina doesn't feel the same way. Very disappointing purchase.
3. I then bought the Bernina Activa 230 to have a simple, uncomplicated, dependable small size Bernina with the needle down and knee lift feature. It likes most thread, great stitches and stops stitching on a dime.

Have the dream machine and all you said is true. Love it

Patricia.H: I experienced a similar disappointment with my Janome 11KSE. It is a wonderful machine, love the square emb hoop for quilt in the hoop and applique projects but my my what a pain in the fingers getting the presser feet changed from sewing to emb, especially when it's the walking foot. Good space to the right of the needle but what a design flaw for space to be so cramped in the presser foot area, where it's needed the most.

Needle up and down position is good. I just wanted to warn you that you should try changing the feet and especially the walking foot before buying. I have a wonderful old Bernina 12.30 which I love to death but thought I would like a smaller cheaper machine to carry out to workshops. I bought a Janome DKS 100 and am having terrible trouble getting my hand (not that big) in to change needles and feet. The shop are not sympathetic. It also has terrible problems sewing a slightly thinner cotton than standard. The shop have spent over an hour trying to get it to work (again unsympathetic). They also said the needle threader would not work with anything less than an 80 needle. Wha\t I am saying is ask, ask ,ask and don't be disappoimted like me. I had a really cheap Janome Gem which gave superb service and I had expected the same for a machine much more complicated.

I have had my Dream Machine since last November. I attended a class that helped me to learn more about the machne. It is the best iI have owned. I really like the laser light and the laser point light when you embroider. The self threader , needle down and so many more features. You will love it as I do!!!!!!!

I purchased a new machine three years ago, brand will remain unnamed, after having Viking/Husqvarna for 34 years. It was not a Viking. After one year, I traded it in on a Brother Dream Creator. Can't think of anything I don't like about it. Has more than I need. No matter what brand, I couldn't live without needle down, dual feed or walking foot, excellent lighting, a larger work space, ability to move needle left or right. Mine has automatic thread cutter and backstitch (if set that way). Button controls so everything could be done feet free if you wanted. No matter what machine you get, try them in the store! The one I purchased three years ago had excellent reviews, but compared to my previous Vikings, I was frustrated. I love Viking, but it didn't have quite what I wanted at the time. So far, so good with my Brother.

Needle threader, and the needle down features would be my main features that I would always want now.

I have a Babylock Ellisimo and I love it because it is very user friendly. I was going to purchase a Babylock Destiny but can't afford the $10,000 price tag at this time in my life since i am now not working

Ann

I've sewn since I was 10 on a lot of different machines.

I currently own 2 pfaffs, 1 Elna 6003.
Love my Pfaffs. Needle up down. built in dual feed, knee lift, needle threader.

There are several,I have the Janome Memory Craft 8200QC. I also love the extra lighting,wider throat for machine quilting(which I need more practice),thread cutter,and the needle threader.Plus all the wonderful decorative stitches.The cutter works well, and the only time I get bird nests is if I haven"t threaded it properly. I've just retired so now I can learn more about my machine. So far all thread types seem to work. I love the walking foot.Hope this helps. Karen from Historic Madison,Indiana

I asked a sewing teacher who has been in the business for over 25 years, which machine she likes the best and why, and she said the feed sensor system in the Viking machines, great for general sewing, and quilting, and likes the Babylock machines for embroidery, as she mentioned that is the focus on the development of the two sewing machine companies. Thought you may like to know this.

I love everything about my Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond. Include all the comments from other sewists except the knee lift, as the foot pedal takes care of what the knee lift does. I use the fix and stop button, as well as the start stitch from beginning button on the machine when using the decorative stitches. The embroidery unit and on screen options for editing designs is easy to use, and the design positioning feature is so helpful when placing a design on clothing that is difficult to hoop.
Glad you are happy with your machine purchase as I am with mine.

The auto pivot feature on the Designer series Husqvarna
machines... they call it the "sensor system")...Tap the foot control and my needle is lowered! No knee needed. I can set for needle down, and get an auto pivot that makes every corner a brief. a touch gives a lift, with an up and a "way up"! Ditched my old Bernina 830 many years ago for VIking and have not missed it for a minute. When considering a new machine PLEASE visit your LOCAL dealers. Take samples of what you do most often, and let the dealer do their demo - THEN ask to sew a bit on the machine yourself. You'd never buy a car without driving it - why in the world would you do that with a sewing machine!? And finally, don't buy on the internet. If you don't patronize your sewing machine expert, someday, there won't be a shop in your backyard!!
And FYI... No decent modern machine comes without a needle threader... but be sure your dealer gives you classes (free!) to show you how to use your new machine - this is a must!
- Karen the machine geek

Does anyone have a favorite machine for free motion zigzag quilting? I have looked at a Bernina 750, but that's all.