What would you buy? Sage like wisdom needed please.

[Lorchen]

I have spent some time reading this forum and the Bernina (UK) site, and a couple of others I could find, and I think I'm heading towards a new machine.

I mentioned it to my husband and showed him the brochures for the 440QE, 640 and 730E. I have looked at the 830 on line. I am now soooooooo bogged down I can't see straight!

Dearest, darling, sweetest of hubby's said to go for the 830 but, to be honest, that is far, far, far too much of a machine for me. I'm not that serious an embroiderer, yet.

I used to sew all the time and managed to cope fine with my Brother, (I was young!), I was given a Toyota Quiltmaster as a quickie stop gap about 5 years ago and I'm OK with it but I don't write home about it!

I am now just starting to sew more, nothing anywhere near to the level that a lot of you do on here but that may increase after time. I have been playing with piecing and quilting and I like the thought of free embroidery. I do make a lot of things for the home and I like the thought of just solving my Itchy Fingers syndrome with just pushing things through for the Village Fête and Christmas Fayre.

I would hate the thought of having to 'up' a machine a few years down the line just as much as I think the 830 is too much for my needs. I have a head full of projects for art quilts as well as regular and I love experimenting.

I don't think the 440QE is enough and so I'm left with 640E or 730E.

What would you go for bearing in mind I am a complete Bernina novice but not a sewing one and I'm getting a second wind for being creative! (Oh and my kids are in their early 20's so Grandchildren bits may not be out of the question in a few years time!!!)

Amo

[Lorchen]

Well, what can I say, I had a 440QE and was happy with it, until I saw the 630, same as 640 but 5.5 width, not the wider one. The 730 would be good, has the wider stitches etc. BUT, I expect what will happen in a very short while, bearing in mind that before you probably did not have a site like this to inspire you! you will want to do more and more. I bought the 630 and really like it, I was told at the time that the rotary hook of the machines with wider stitches are a devil if you get the thread caught up. But I have not heard anyone on this site comment on that, so it could be that the dealer, in Taunton wanted to get rid of a particular model! tHE wider stitches do give you more freedom. If I have the opportunity, I would go for the 830, it would last for years and years as it has all the latest features and would cope beautifully with any thing you would wish to do. Sadly, I cannot afford that one, but, if it was a choice between 640 for 730, I would go for the 730 as it does have some good features and everyone but everyone says how great it is!! SO, its really up to you! Hope that is some help.
Lynn also in sunny UK and not too far from you!

[Lorchen]

If I could buy the 830 I would do it. It offers everything in a machine that a quilter could hope for. You can add on anything that Bernina comes out with in the future. I have the 630 and had never used an embroidery machine before. I have found that I use my Bernina for the embroidery feature more than any other feature.

[Lorchen]

Thanks both for your replies so far.

This is why I have the dilema! I don't want to under buy or over buy! If I had the 830 I don't think I'd want to use it as it's so.... sophisticated (?) A bit like having a Ferrari to do the weekly shop in.

Is the 730 still up there at the top top top end or is it still a good enough plodder of a machine to do everyday stuff on but it can be revved up to do exciting things that aren't too daunting for a newbie to full on computorised machines (though not computers).

Is the 640 going to be the opposite once I start playing with the thing and wanting more?

I guess it's the ease of use of the computer screen etc I'm worried about. I don't have a great retentive memory, usually it's full of junk like the next thing I want to make, and reading a manual is usually virtually pointless to me.

Lynn, can I also ask, did you do the course in London or not? London is not the best of places to visit when you're from the back and beyond like me. :roll:

[Lorchen]

Amo, why don't you put together several projects that are typical of what you do now and what you would like to do in future. Then get in touch with your nearest Bernina dealer, and make a proper appointment to try out ALL the machines on your list. Take a drink and a packed lunch, and spend a few hours in the shop giving the machines on your list a really good try.

I only had a maximum of £500 to spend on a new machine several years ago, and I had a very interesting time at my local Husqvarna dealer. I knew exactly what the machine I bought was able to do, and have been very happy with it since.

Lorchen

[Lorchen]

Thanks Lorchen. Hubby is dragging me (!!! ) off to the dealer this morning. (I think he secretly wants to check them all out, it was something tho do with when I mentioned they had clutches).

I am soooo excited! They don't open for another hour though Wish me luck!

And a great idea about drawing up a list of my expectations too.

Amo
UK

[suehenyon]

Go for the biggest, the best you can afford. I bought the 730E on a great deal I couldn't resist and have not looked back. I couldn't afford the 830, knowing it would take a new sewing cabinet, too. I hope you get the big girl. If you don't use the embroidery now, you will in the future!

By the way, the one thing the 730 won't do is needlepunch.

[suehenyon]

And one more thing, don't think that is too much machine for you...you know Bernina makes learning very accessible!

[suehenyon]

I know when I upgrade to my first REAL machine... I out grew it after year. My interest, my skills expanded so fast with that first machine. ( 20 years ago.)

I think it will depend upon how serious you are planning to be...

Plan to crank out award winners?

Are you a hobby sewer?

Do you plan to investigate every avenue and patterns available ?

... do you have 20-30 more years of sewing in your life?

Or will health and vision issue rob you of being able to sew alot in the near future? Do you have glucoma or retina issues?

How much can you really afford and still be able to retire?

Is quilting an income earner?

Do you teach quilting or are you the forever student?


Who will get the sewing machine when you have to stop sewing ?? Mine will go to my daughter who is a wanna be quilter... mother and college student.

These are the questions I asked before I got my 440 QE... I am 60 but I think my vision will only allow maybe 15 years more of good sewing.

I also have TECH issues as I find am no longer as quick to learn how to operate these newer machines and often have to relearn stuff cause I do not remember.

My budget is going to be strained til this machine is payed off by the end of the year...... and buying the 880 was just out of the question for me.

[suehenyon]

Well WOW WHAT A DAY!!!! Fandabulocious!!

I'm a Bernina Mummy! YAY!!

Dearest Hubby took me across town, appalling traffic, to my nearest dealer. Well, the less said the better but I will NOT be going back there!! I still shudder.

After a trek back, yet more horrific traffic, I ring Bernina (UK) to ask for my nearest dealers. A choice of 4 came up, other than the one I'd already visited, and, after a quick phone call Hubby whisks me off to Eastleigh.

Well, what a lovely lady Linda is there and a smashing shop she has to boot. I sat and played with the 730 and was shown all sorts. The 640 didn't even get a look in! It was like I melded with the machine, no worries at all. Whilst there the first 830 came in, but I didn't want to go there!! That is one BIG machine!

Anyway, the 730 is mine. It's the ex demo as they are becoming scarce now the price has fallen and so it need the once over before I could take it home. It turns out there is a local to me needlework show tomorrow that they will be showing at and I will pick it up there. Of course there will be loads of other stuff that I may have to buy too. ops:

I can not believe that a day that hit rock bottom this morning has me on such a high now!! I have the DVD's and books for the machine here so I will be going through them. The good confident feeling I had from Linda was wonderful and I can't recommend them enough.

And it all happened so fast!! Thank you all for your replies and help with pointers.

Now to get these things out of my head and down onto fabric!!!!!!

[littleflower]

happy dancing with you!

[littleflower]

Thanks both for your replies so far.

This is why I have the dilema! I don't want to under buy or over buy! If I had the 830 I don't think I'd want to use it as it's so.... sophisticated (?) A bit like having a Ferrari to do the weekly shop in.

Is the 730 still up there at the top top top end or is it still a good enough plodder of a machine to do everyday stuff on but it can be revved up to do exciting things that aren't too daunting for a newbie to full on computorised machines (though not computers).

Is the 640 going to be the opposite once I start playing with the thing and wanting more?

I guess it's the ease of use of the computer screen etc I'm worried about. I don't have a great retentive memory, usually it's full of junk like the next thing I want to make, and reading a manual is usually virtually pointless to me.

Lynn, can I also ask, did you do the course in London or not? London is not the best of places to visit when you're from the back and beyond like me. :roll:

No, I didn't do the course as they were always on when I was at work, and as a teacher, I don't think the school would be too impressed if I took the day off!!!! I would be though! :lol: Still some people say they were very good, especially if a Bernina is new to you. Let me know if you go and how you got on.
Lynn

[Lorchen]

Congratulations, Amo!

You now have a super machine AND a very supportive husband!

Lorchen

[Lorchen]

Well, you lucky thing, I am sure you will be very happy with it, I wished I had bought it after I had my 630 a couple of months, still, I do love mine and it will do for me until I win the lottery!!!!!! :wink: Talking of shows, are you going to go to Malvern? I am going on Thursday 14th May, if you are about then we could arrange to meet up, if not, perhaps at another event. Let me know anyway.

With envy,
Lynn LOL

[suehenyon]

I am so happy for you! This is a wonderful machine. Some things take getting used to, but keep looking in the forum if you have an issue, or ask! Woooooooooooo Hooooooooooo!
Susan