I have my Mom's featherweight & she is now 90 & she got it used in the 40s. It is the best for straight stitching. Anytime you have the opportuity to get one pick one up. They are gold. My 830 is terrific, a real work horse.

A Bernina 165 and a Singer 533. Love them both! My next purchase will be a featherweight Singer for classes.

I have 3 a phaff 7570 and 2 baby lock one is a surger

I own three machines and use them all. If I could only keep one, I would keep my Bernina 1260. I like it best for stitching, however I prefer my Viking Saphire for machine quilting since the presser foot automatic lifts just a little when you stop with the needle down. This helps in turning the fabric. Last fall I purchase a Baby Lock Grace, a machine to travel with . I am very satisfied with it, especially since it was a very reasonable price. I too, would like a Bernina with the BSR but one thing I think they need to improve on is the length of space under the machine. I am not interested in embroidary and that seems to be the emphasis with many of the newer machines.
One thing to consider when buying a machine is what kind of customer support you have. The Bernina dealer that I bought my machine from is about a 3 hour drive away - but they are excellent and luckily my machine has never had any major problems and I just take it for a tune up when I can.
Someone once advised "to buy the best machine you can afford" - I think that is reasonable and I think most of the major companies have good machines and it is just a matter of matching the machine features with what you want. Good luck!

I piece and quilt with a Juki tL98Q. I LOVE my Juki! I have a BabyLock Zigzag for buttonholes, and applique, but it's just a good friend.

I have my grandmother's feather weight. My go to machine is my Bernina Virtuosa 153QE; a birthday present from my husband 9 years ago. I love it, but wish it had a wider harp. I did a test drive of the 830 last week end. Heaven! But, I figured I should be getting at least 30 mpg for something in that price range. I need to practice more and become a far better quilter to justify spending the $$$$. So, I'm practicing, practicing, practicing...

I have heard that they are having a bit of trouble with the plate.

I test drove the new Janome Horizon yesterday. I'm not looking for a new machine but the salesman knows me and wanted (PUSHED) me to try it out. I must say that it was pretty cool and Very Quiet even when free motioning. One of the coolest things is that the needle plate moves automatically when you are piecing or free motioning to the single hole and then it will move back to the standard opening when you want to zig zag or use a decorative stitch. It has an 11 inch opening, which was cool too. Thank goodness I'm happy with my machine or I would have had to try and figure out a way to upgrade.

I did, however, dream of that 11 inches last night! LOL

I use my two Berninas (435 & 210) exclusively. The 210 is wonderful and not too heavy for taking to classes. One of my friends was having trouble with her Janome at our friendship group. After she had tried everything she could think of to get it to turn on, another friend told her to give it a "love tap"--she slapped it real good and the machine turned on and worked!!! Thought you all might enjoy a little machine humor!

I sold my Husqvarnas & bought a 830 when I retired last year. My dealer then sold me a 430 (the store demo) for retreats. I haver never regreted my move to Bernina.

I love my Elna Quilters Dream 2. I have had her for at least 3 years and haven't had any problems. She does free motion, piecing and many decorative stitches and never complains (unlike her owner)! I had considered a Bernina but chouldn't afford them....I would like the BSR but have been forced to learn free motion without it and enjoy doing it now. Good luck with your shopping...I hope that you have a good dealer nearby to help give you advice. Petey

I love my Bernina's. I have a 630 and an 830. Wouldn't mind a 430 too! And if you were looking at the used market, I'd jump on a Virtuosa if I ran across one.

I have a Singer 910 that I got about 22 years ago. I don't use it much anymore but I loan it out to friends who want to learn to sew. So far, only one hasn't gone bigger and better. I also have a Viking Freesia that I got at a county fair several years ago; I love that machine but my DH Mike mostly uses it now. Last but not least, I have a Babylock Quest. I haven't bonded with it even though I've had it for about 2 1/2 years. I am determined to work with this machine since I can't afford anything else right now.
If I had my druthers, I'd get a Viking Sapphire 875!! It has everything I want and I don't have to sell any children for it. I think I'm a viking girl at heart and that is what I'd like to go back to when I can.

I have and use three different machines. I have a Singer 132Q I got at walmart about 7 or 8 years ago. I have a Pfaff 360 that was in an antique sewing machine cabinet I bought from an estate. It was a surprize, as was the manual and the accessories. My third machine is a 1948 Featherweight my DH got on ebay. I use 'em all and love 'em all. Call them "my girls".