The type of machine you use for sewing or quilting matters more than you might think. The longer you sew, the more machines you will acquire for different tasks. Any machine will sew a straight stitch, and for hand quilting, this is all anyone needs.
Michley Lil Sew N' Sew $56.95
I have this machine. It is battery-operated and has an a/c plug. I chose it because it has 8 stitch functions, more than any other small portable machine, a drop in bobbin and a free arm. It also has 2 speeds. It has its setbacks, though. The motor is loud and the speed selector must be in the center position to use the foot pedal. The instructions don't tell you this. I managed to ditch and channel quilt with it. I made a table set and coasters. I wouldn't attempt to quilt anything larger, but it's fine for sewing pieces together.
Brother SQ9185 $190.17
You can start out with a small beginner machine with a drop feed, but you'll soon discover that it has a lot of limitations. The most obvious limitation is the narrow throat space 3-1/4") and short height. The motor on a beginner machine isn't strong enough to handle continuous free motion stitching for long periods. It will eventually throw off the timing which cannot be repaired. These small digital computerized machines are best reserved for small jobs and short sewing sessions. I use the SQ9185 with 130 stitches for piecing and embellishing a top.
Antique Treadle Singer
Despite my love for Brother, my antique machine of choice is this Singer Model 27 Pheasant in a #5 Art Nouveau cabinet (1904). Parts for old Singers are readily available. However, the accessories are proprietary. The Amish still rely on them. This family heirloom is still going strong after 7 generations. When sewists talk about Singers with a twinkle in our eyes, we're not thinking about the new ones. Antique Singers have an 8-1/4" throat space making them compatible with frames. Different models are available on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. The price and condition varies.
Janome 712T $329
Janome manufactures a modern treadle machine for the Amish community that fits inside the old style cabinets. It has 10 utility stitches and a built in buttonhole stitch. It does not have a reverse stitch function. However, it does have a drop feed. It is a low shank machine that uses snap on feet. The throat space is smaller than the Singer at 7-1/2" even though the bed is the same size.
Brother PQ1500SL $700
The kind of machine you need for free motion quilting is a home industrial straight stitch machine with a drop feed. I like this machine because the feed dog height can be adjusted to accommodate different quilt thicknesses. This machine is basically a modern upgrade of the old 1957 Atlas Una with a 9" throat space and convenient controls. However, it is a high shank machine that requires screw-on feet. It can be used on a table or with a frame.
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9400QCP with an 11" throat space for $5,000. This machine does it all--sewing, quilting and embroidery. It has a USB interface for PC connection, pattern mirroring, pattern start/end function, free hand system, and 434 stitch functions. It is often used for quilting in the hoop.
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