not knowing

Brothers are very good machines. Gen

thanks for the info. i know it is a great price so just pondering. karen(Kz)

Don't *quite* make up your mind to buy it, Karen, until you have sat down in the shop and tested it. Even a good price is a waste of money if it doesn't suit you and the way you like to work. Take a very firm list of features that you *need, and those you might *like (there is a difference >ganything about Brother machines i would like your opinions. can't seem

I am generally unimpressed by them. Too many 'features' crammed into a light weight frame. Very plasticky casing designed more with fashion in mind than function. That particular range has a VERY small harp area: if you want to sew anything much bigger than a tray cloth, you'll have difficulty getting it and a hand in there to manipilate it.

Brother domestic sewing machines are all bought in and badged: some are better than others. Their industrial machies and their domestic overlockers are *much* better.

I would suggest looking for a *good* used machine for your $100. A new machine at that price can't be a good, sturdy, quality machine. It would be fine for light sewing here and there, but not for quilting/sewing marathons. I once bought a $300 Singer at WalMart- about 18 years ago- and took it back the next day. It was just too flimsy and lightweight and 'plastic-y' for my needs. Quilting can be a pretty good work-out for a sewing machine. Brother makes some excellent machines, but not at that price. There's just no profit margin there to allow for good quality.

Sorry to be so opinionated, but I'd much rather see you with a really good

50 year old Singer than a new machine that can't hold up to what you need it to do- and have you be terribly disappointed.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

thanks very much for your responses will let you know what i do. also will check sears since you said they are janomes. karen(kz)

I guess I should add a little. I did just buy a Brother. It was a Innovis 80, normally priced around $800 and I got it for $500 on sale. Most people are right in you get what you pay for. If your just hoping it will last a year or two it might do just fine. I did look at the machine your thinking about, but I decided against it because of the other deals they had going at the time. I also got the quilting table with mine for free. For me buying used wasn't an option. But I did try to find some used ones. They just aren't around in my area at the time I was looking. So go try the machine that's your best bet. Good Luck Joanna

My Brother 1500 is a great machine. I think cheap models of better brands can be as bad as cheapie models of low end brands. It isn't that a machine might only last 2 years but that the 2 years can be hell! Biggest problem I noticed is low end SIngers and other cheapies won't hold tension. That is a killer. I bought a Bernina 830 (old style) on Ebay in a cabinet for $300 last summer. It is a dream of a machine. I would bet it is the best sewing machine money I ever spent. I really just wanted the cabinet to drop my 930 in. I had planned to sell the 830 but can't bear to part with it. I picked up a Singer 503 and a 401 in the last few months too. They are both great models that sew terrific even if they are as old as I am. I would rather a SInger 301 or

99 that sew well than a fancy new machine that can't hold tension.

Taria

Joanna wrote:

Amen. Polly "Taria" My Brother 1500 is a great machine. I think cheap models of better

I'm with you, Taria! My faithful old 301 and the two FWs are incredible machines for the money. And my 30-year-old Kenmore is a true workhorse, though I confess it doesn't machine quilt as well as the 301 and the straight stitching is not as perfect as the FWs. I have never tried a Brother, so I can't weigh in on the original query.

Get the Brother. Debra

My art for sale at:

Hi Karen. I have a Brother XL5440 (at least I think that's what it is) that I bought at Walmart for $179 about five years ago and it's still going strong. It has been a real workhorse for me. I like Brother machines so much that I got a Brother embroidery machine too. I want a new workhorse though that has a few more bells and whistles like the auto bobbin winder, drop in bobbin and stuff like that. Brother is a good product as far as I'm concerned. Good luck with your decision.

Hugs, Mika