Tired of the Bernina Machine Obsession

[Annette R.]

I took a class from Ricky in Minnesota and what he said there and I have heard from him in Super Seminar and at retreat is this. Buy the best machine that you can afford that will do what you want it to do. I would love to own a Bernina with the double blanket stitch and the BSR but right now I have two Vikings that do most of what I need and the rest I compensate for. Maybe someday the Bernina of my dreams will live in my house but if not, I will survive. I am a Happy Quilter and will live with what I have. Hugs to all of you, Ann

[Annette R.]

Well, I am now a Bernina owner and really, it was not the plan. I took my Elna in for service, DH doing the carrying. He asked the woman about Berninas and she told us about the "show special" from Road to California Show. DH wanted a demo, he loved it and now I have a Bernina. It was under $3000 (still a lot of money) but much less than I thought it would cost for a Bernina. I haven't gotten it upstairs to my sewing room yet so I've not tried it.

I almost feel guilty about my Elna, it is an incredible machine. I think I will finally be able to let go of my Singer Athena 2000. I think I only kept it for sentimental reasons. I made a lot of clothing for my children with it.

It's been very helpful to read your opinions, I really appreciate your offering them.

JoAnne in southern California

[Teri L.]

Joanne
Congratulations and what a beautiful, unexpected gift. Can we see pictures of her soon?
You don't have to let go of your Singer just yet. The time will come when it's time to let go, but not because you have your new Bernina. Does the Singer still work? Is it repairable? Maybe there's a school, shelter, hospital or some local group that can use it when/if you're ready to share.

Teri

PS - when you play with your new machine, it's okay to cry and grieve for your mom and mother-in-law.

[Teri L.]

JoAnn
Yeah I'm so happy for you. Your moms loving memories will always be with you, Know that your mom is smiling down on you while you create beautiful quilts on your new bernina. Enjoy.
Blessings,Kathy

[Teri L.]

JoAnne - Congratulations. I didn't intend on a Bernina either, but my first machine came home with me in 2003. Oops!

[Mary K.]

Congrats on your new baby, JoAnne! :!: :!: Mary Kay

[Cheryl K.]

Congrats Joanne! Make sure to take the Guide classes, they are really helpful.

[Cheryl K.]

Thank you, all! I will be taking the classes. It's so nice the shop offers them free. I start on Monday! I will have to "let go of" some of my machines. I seem to have six. Today I bought a Janome mini ($39.99) to tote to workshops. It's so lightweight I can hold it with one hand. It's surprising how well it sews. A friend suggested it for our guild charity workshops.

I'm going to call a local woman's shelter to see if they want my three machines that will have to go.

Thanks again, I played with my Bernina last night. I like it, except for the bobbin. It's difficult to change and I cannot see how much thread is left on it without taking it all out. It's not going to be easy with my cabinet. I'll have to ask woodworker DH to make some modifications to the cabinet so I can access the bobbin easily.

I do love this Forum! Thanks!

JoAnne

[Cheryl K.]

One way to keep track of how much thread is left on the bobbin is to wind two bobbins the same, then use one on top and one in the bottom. When the top one is running out, the bottom one probably is too .

[Kelly K.]

A couple of months ago I went to a 2 day lecture/demo with John Deer, well known in the embroidery business. They talked up the larger embroidery machines a lot, as well as other products. I didn't mind as I learned a lot with the embroidery that I didn't mind the "sales pitch". And as others have said here, if you are happy with your machine, that is what matters. Someone has to help sponsor the TQS website and I don't mind the short commercials or mentionings of the machines used on the show. I sold my Janome 4800 to my aunt so I could buy a Janome 6500. I wish now I could have them both as the 4800 had stitches the 6500 doesn't, and it purred a little differently. I also have a Jem Gold. I'm a Janome gal 100%, but I respect everyone for the preference they have in their machines. Now, don't get me started on appliances. After 26 years of DH repairing them, we do have our definite pros and cons on them. LOL HUGS, Kelly in CO

[Kelly K.]

One way to keep track of how much thread is left on the bobbin is to wind two bobbins the same, then use one on top and one in the bottom. When the top one is running out, the bottom one probably is too .

What a superb idea! Thank you!

JoAnne

[Pam D.]

JoAnne, Congratulations on your new baby. ENJOY using it. Hugs Pam

[Pam D.]

I was able to sew for four hours last night, (DH was at a woodworking class) and my goodness, does this Bernina sew well! It keeps the two pieces of fabric together so nicely. I am hooked, I am hooked!

JoAnne, in southern California, where winter has finally arrived, it's raining, it's raining! (can you tell that we don't get much of that wonderful stuff?)

[Wanda M.]

Congratulations, Jo Ann!

[Teri L.]

Happy Dancin' with you.

Teri