Need new sewing machine -- need advice

[ladyquilter]

I ended up buying the BERNINA 440 QE today. In part because the lady at the Jenome shop ticked me off. I liked the guy / owner of the shop but the machine educator was rude. I wanted to see the Jenome version of the stitch regulator made by the Gracie Co. that Jenome is adding to their their line of machines. The lady seemed to think I was presumptuous expecting the shop to have one for demonstration. I just did not want to plunk down $600 for the stitch regulator without trying it out. On top of over $2000 for their 6600P machine. If I only had to deal with the repair man / owner then I would have been okay but the lady was the only one that gave the lessons on the machine.

My hubby and I went out to Jackson to visit his friend for the weekend. They were not home ( they were on the way and we were early ) when we got there, so I told DH I wanted to look at the Bernina since we were so close to the shop. I really loved playing the machine and DH said to go ahead and get it ( I am paying for it) because he could really see that love the BSR. I walked out to the store with the machine. I could hardly wait to get home to play with it.

I did get it out of the box at our friends home and played with it. Jen was impressed ( she is a non sewer) I think I may have turned her on to quilting. We got her grandma's feather weight out... oiled it and fired it up. I left her making simple nine patch blocks... ( after another run to a fabric shop.) I also cautioned her against selling or giving her machine away ( as if she would since it is a family heirloom) I told her the going rate for the machines in good working order was over $500. Her machine is a beauty... I would hate to have someone try and con her out of the machine.

Anyways... I have been playing non stop with my new machine and I love it.... I probably would have loved the Jenome but oh welllllll.... I will have to suffer with the Bernina.... HEE HEE!

[ladyquilter]

good glad to hear you got a new baby and you'll have years to enjoy her I have used them before and maybe when it time to get a new one it will that brand good luck have fun and happy quilting remember it's a new day Happy

[ladyquilter]

Have fun with your new baby! Often times the deal breaker with any product is the personnel at the shop. The Janome dealer's loss, and the Bernina dealer and your gain!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[ladyquilter]

Congrats on your new machine. I agree about the owners/employees of shops are very important in making decisions about the machine you buy. Happy sewing with your new baby. Sandi in FL

[kfstitcher]

Glad you made a decision your happy with Ladyrags. Have fun with your new Bernina. A new machine is so exciting! Karen

[PattiSure]

Congrats on your new machine. I didn't have lessons because of the place I bought mine from and my quick move and I agree - good lessons make all the difference. Now that I got great lessons from the Viking Center in Ann Arbor, I'm enjoying my machine more and more. Happy sewing.

[PattiSure]

Congratulations! The 440 is a wonderful machine, I really loved mine!

Have you "Tinkled" today?

[PattiSure]

Congratulations, LadyRags! I bought my Bernina 440 QE a week ago and am so pleased with it. The only thing I do not like is where the bobbin is, it makes for a difficult change. But, the bobbin holds a lot of thread!

Have fun! If you are able to take new machine owners classes, take them!

JoAnne

[Judymc]

A new machine--how fun!!! I bought my 435 last January and I remember how excited I was, too. I still have fun using those decorative stitches. Be sure and watch the Bernina videos that TQS has--I was watching several tonight and they're really helpful. (Now I need another presser foot! :lol: ) Joanne, I agree with you--my fingers have a hard time with the bobbin under the machine. Judy in Torrance

[Seesaw]

You ladies new to Bernina. Regarding the bobbin, there is a little lever to pull out on when you remove it from the machine. To reinsert the bobbin you do not have to pull out on that lever. Just line up the bobbin and give a little push. You will hear it click into place. Hope this helps. Carolyn

[Seesaw]

You ladies new to Bernina. Regarding the bobbin, there is a little lever to pull out on when you remove it from the machine. To reinsert the bobbin you do not have to pull out on that lever. Just line up the bobbin and give a little push. You will hear it click into place. Hope this helps. Carolyn

Carolyn, the problem I have with the bobbin is that it's underneath my tabletop. I either have to lift the machine (and move to another spot) or remove the insert that is fitted around the machine in my table top. My old machine (Elna) has a bobbin the inserted just below the needle and is so very easy to just slip in.

On the Bernina, when inserting the bobbin, I have to pull out the lever to have something to hold onto. It's difficult to see into the bobbin area because it's below the tabletop. I'll get used to it.
JoAnne

[Seesaw]

Don't forget if your machine suddenly starts making a buzzing noise, check the bobbin winder on the top hasn't been accidentally activated :wink:

[Seesaw]

Don't forget if your machine suddenly starts making a buzzing noise, check the bobbin winder on the top hasn't been accidentally activated :wink:

That's so funny! I listen to audio books while I sew. Last night, with headphones on I stood up to get something off my cutting table. All of a sudden I heard a buzzing sound. Aha! It was the bobbin winder. The cord to the headphones had caught it and started the winder. It did startle me. The salesperson had told me while demonstrating the machine. I'm glad she had or I would have really wondered what was happening.

JoAnne

[KakeM]

I had that same experience of the bobbin winder being on (accidently hit it when I took it out of its case) Later that day when I turned on my new Bernina 440EQ it was making this awful noise and I panicked, ran for the phone and called my LQS and found out what it was that she said she had forgotten to tell me about. We both laughed and now I know what that "little" noise is and smile. Karen in Nevada

[Judymc]

THE DREADED BOBBIN WINDER!!! :shock: :lol: I'm glad I'm not the ONLY one! :lol: The only problem I have with removing and inserting the bobbin because of it's location is my arthritic fingers have a little harder time. It's a very awkward position when finger dexterity is becoming more difficult. That's one reason I've decided not to put my machine into a cabinet. I'll just keep it table top and I think it'll be easier.