Tired of the Bernina Machine Obsession

[Joan J.]

I am thankful we have a sponership with anyone it just happens to be bernina I do not have one I have 3 michanies a baby lock,a Paff, and a jerome I just got the Jerome little sew for in my camper maybe some day I will get one I don't know I have used them and I think they are ok Happy

[Beth A.]

I think that familiarity + lack of "down time" = satisfaction with one's own machine. I personally love my Pfaff and its integrated dual feed, but many wonderful and spectactular quilts are turned out on Singer Featherweights or even treadle machines. Stitch regulators are a nifty idea, but many outstanding quilts are created on machines without those bells and whistles.

Bernina lovers have reason to crow - those are great machines. But so do lovers of Pfaff, Janome, Babylock, Singer, etc.

And, face it, quilters: It's not the MACHINE, it's US -- our fabric selection, our dedication to precision work and our artistic vision. The machine is only the hammer we use to construct the piece. Each should enjoy their own.

That being said, I'm sure that Michelangelo and his cronies sat around talking about which brushes and which turpentines worked best. It's human nature. Besides, we like to shop and dream.

BethMI

[Beth A.]

It never made a difference to me what machine a quilter used. I have the one I want and that's all that matters to me. Bernina is a great machine no matter if I have one or not. Put on your big girl panties and get over it. :roll:

[Beth A.]

I have got a very basic Janome - the model that is used in schools as it is pretty hardy and easy to use. As I say, it is BASIC - and it suits me that way. I think if I had a top of the range machine, of any type, I would spend more time worrying about it than sewing on it! One other thing, when all the quilts are displayed in a Quilt Show - can you tell which machine was used?

[Lorna B.]

I am still using my first sewing machine I bought in 1975--an Elna Super. EVERYONE's machine probably does more than mine, but I am comfortable with it. Eventually I will get a new machine, I just hate having to make that decision. What ever I end up getting I hope it lasts as long.

I don't have sewing machine envy or feel inferior by other's machine choices. I thank Bernina and the other TQS sponsors for supporting this wonderful onsite community.

Lorna

[Lynn K.]

By and large, I kind of think of my machines as my children! Of course they are great, they are MINE!

I have an older Bernina 830 which I sadly don't use alot now b/c I love the needle up/down of my Janome 6600. I love the 6600 b/c of other things, too, but since it doesn't quilt as easily for me, I now am the proud owner of a HQ16.

I never would have dreamed I could have all these types/models, but here I am.

I am so very thankful for Bernina's willingness to sponsor a fledgeling company (TQS) and to provide us all with ALL that we receive from this web site! And yes, I'm grateful to those of you who are able to purchase the higher end machines! You keep it going for those of us who mostly provide enthusiasm! ha :lol:

I don't allow myself to feel inferior about not having a NEW Bernina (or an older one either) as the Proof of THIS Puddin' is what I produce with them! And that comes out of my head and my hands - not the motor or presser feet of the machine!

Just my take. Maybe, Sewing Room Window, you can join us in just being thankful for Bernina's sponsorship! Yeah, way to go!!!!

Lynn

[Pam S.]

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best....."No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

[Anne B.]

Whenever I see a sewing or quilting demo, I always want to know what kind of machine they're using. It's interesting to see what the different machines can do.

I have an old (1968) Bernina 730 that I love. I wish it had a needle up/down feature and a blanket stitch, but otherwise it's wonderful and I'll never part with it. I am saving for a Bernina 830, but I'll still keep my old 730 . . . along with my three Featherweights and my Singer 115, 15-91, 99, 128, 127, 20, 40, and 12. I love sewing machines.

I hope Alex and Ricky will continue to mention which model they're using in their demos and what feet and stitches they're using. While it's nice to be generic, there are a lot of people out there with the particular machine they're demonstrating on, and it's nice for those people to hear the specifics. And for the rest of us, it's interesting to hear so we can compare them to the machines we have.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[Anne B.]

I think the Berninas are wonderful machines, but just not in my budget range. So, I keep sewing with my dear old treadles most of the time, and once in a while with my less-than-$600 Janome. If I ever win the lottery (which will be difficult, since I don't buy tickets, LOL) I would get a Bernina.

Pat in Rockport, TX, where it's been cold a lot, brrrr.

[Anne B.]

If I win the lottery I will buy one of each!! Sew many choices to make and they all have such great features. I tried 5 different ones before choosing the Bernina I did. It was a difficult decision, but price and knowing I could get it worked on nearby were a couple of the big reasons I picked it. Sandi in FL

[Anne B.]

My mother died recently and I will inherit some money. I thought that I should buy a Bernina because Mom taught me to sew and I would have something to show for what I inherit. (My DH bought a Porsche when he inherited from his mother.) But, I still cannot bring myself to do this because there is nothing wrong with my Elna and I don't even use everything it can do. Alas, money burning a hole in my pocket, sort of.

JoAnne in southern California, eagerly awaiting Road to California!

[Anne B.]

Joann
So sorry to hear of your mothers passing. I Know she would want you to have something special. I would say buy yourself a Bernina if this is your dream because you deserve this. The chances of owning your dream machine doesn't come along very often. "Treat yourself to something special that you have always wanted" because your mom wouldnt want it any other way. Enjoy! Kathy

[Hannelore N.]

JoAnne, why don't you put enough money for a top of the range Bernina to one side, and then you can decide some time in the future if you really want a new machine or not.

May I send you some very sincere hugs, please! I lost my Mum recently too, and it's not easy to come to terms with the loss.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

Thank you, Kathy and Lorchen. I like Lorchen's idea of putting the money aside and deciding later. Having a Bernina has never been my dream and I am always pretty much happy with whatever I have. DH says I could buy one anyway. I think I just want something to show for receiving this money from my mother. Thanks!
JoAnne

[Anne B.]

JoAnne and Lorchen, I'm so sorry to hear you've lost your mothers. That's very hard. My best friend says I'm going to be a basket case when my mother dies, and he's absolutely right. I dread it.

I would go ahead and buy your dream machine while you have the opportunity, JoAnne. So what if you never use all of its features? You'll enjoy the ones you do use. And you'll think of your mother every time you use it. Memories, especially happy memories, are priceless.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, sending you both hugs and positive energy to help you through this sad time
xoxo