A quilter needs tools just like a painter needs different brushes. Just don't ask me how many paints (fabrics) I have...that's a whole different story in itself. haha! Not all machines can do the same things or even do the same things well. If that is ever invented...let me know! I want to buy it ASAP! haha One machine may have very neat stitches for piecing yet is horrible for free motion quilting. A quilter needs to buy the tools that suit her tastes and needs best and if that means having 10 different sewing machines, then so be it. Happy Sewing! Audra http://www.auraquilts.com Here is a link that might be useful: AuraQuilts.com

For a home machine, the Bernina is about the best you can get, although I am more familiar with the 830 model than the 614. No problem finding parts for the Bernina 830, but the resale value is high, and so you won't find them for that cheap. I've used industrial machines also, and they go extremely fast, which is good if you are very accurate, but it is also very easy to make a bad seam that will have to be taken out and resewn - not an acceptable thing if you are sewing leather. I have a Viking/Huskvarna machine that I bought new about 15 years ago, and it is almost as good as the Bernina. Best to avoid any machine that has a computer in it, as those are very expensive to repair and become obsolete very quickly. The Bernina and Huskvarna are both good at sewing leather, but you have to see the needles made for leather.

You may find classes at Joann Fabrics and you will certainly find books. Before you spend money on books go to the library and spend some time reading. If I were limited to just one sewing book (I have at least 100) it would be the Reader's Digest Sewing Book. Mine is from the '70's, it's full of good info and techniques. Are there any small facric shops in your area? That's where I would look for lessons. What kinds of things are you interested in making? Home Dec, clothing for adults or children. Kids toys, dog toys or clothes. Spend an afternoon at Joann's looking though the pattern books. I have a problem with buying a sewing machine from Sears or any other department store...Who is going to fix it or answer any questions you might have?...because the local sewing machine store isn't going to want to fix that Kenmore (Janome). Just my 2cents. Good luck and happy sewing. It's something I started to learn in Jr High and continue to take classes 40 years later.

I have a Singer CE200 and for sewing it's good, although the first time I ever saw a buttonhole attachment go bezerk on me in 40 plus years of sewing. I really don't think this would be a good machine for your mother for the following reasons: There is no visual control to view stitch length or width your mother is use to using with her present machine. You have to listen for the beeps that will drive you crazy after a period of time and do constant test sewing to get the right stitch length and width for the project to be done. It has a tight sewing area so cleaning the machine out or changing a needle without getting poked with the needle is a real chore. I bought a bargain pair of spring-loaded long nose stork pliers to do most of it--find I use that pair of pliers for many things sewing related where I would have used a pair of tweezers. She can't use the feet from the old machine on this machine because this machine uses low bar feet and her Singer has slant or high bar. The CE series come with a limited amount of accessory feet. Singer does have the high priced combination models where you get so (sew) much more provided with those models--it's a get what you pay for thing. The price Joanns is quoting you (they run high on the sewing machine price scale) does not include some of the other necessary embroidery modules which run about $150 each to the embroidery software installed on the computer. For embroidery the machine, which does an excellent job, is computer dependent. You have to have an extra laptop to run the embroidery unit or have the computer next to the machine. If someone wants to use the computer while the embroidery unit is running, they will have to wait until the design section is done to use the computer or use the computer and be up close and personal with mom and the machine. The machine does not do wireless, it will do USB hub. You might also want to look at the Brother combination machines in the same price range. People are fairly happy with those machines. I have a PE-150 embroidery only I am quite happy with. Vikings are well-built machines. The caution there is the accessory feet are exclusive to that brand and expensive. There are no after-market, less expensive feet that fit that brand. That is one thing that kept me away from Viking. As everyone says, let your mother choose her own machine and try every one out first before purchasing to find the machine she feels comfortable using. An internet search at different manufacturer sites with printouts of the ones she likes before shopping will save time shopping and give more time trying different machines out--don't forget lunch or dinner in there too. You also find where the dealers and other sellers are, get an estimated price (can be negotiated), and whether invaluable free lessons are included.