My wife bought her last 2 sewing machines at (a discount store).  She had one repaired at nearly half what she gave for it and it still didn't work.  Early December last year I had to be in a town about an hour away that I knew had a good sewing machine shop.  I stopped and looked around a while, discussed what I wanted to do, and came home with a Janome 7330

It's more machine than she would have bought for herself and she hasn't had a bit of trouble with it.  Even better, unbeknownst to me her Mom has a Janome!  The company has a web site ( http://janome.com/ ) but it seems to be having a few problems this evening.

For quilting I think they have other machines better suited.  My advice to you is go find a good local sewing machine shop and make friends with them. And be prepared to spend your flat screen TV budget on a sewing machine.