WWQP Bulletin Board

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sewing machine questions

Ladies:
I need your advice. As I have stated in the past, my Bernina has been giving me trouble, thread nests, etc.
I'm giving serious thought to selling the baby and getting something else.
I've discovered that the machine is only as good as the repair/dealer. There are two Bernina dealers in this area, and I don't like either one.
Would you suggest I go to the local dealers and see what they have, or pick out a type and then find a dealer to match it?
I don't need all the latest bells and whistles, just a few decorative stitches, and the basics.
I'm open to suggestions.
Sara in Fla.

posted by Sara in Florida @ 6:26 PM  

7 Comments:

  • At March 23, 2008 at 7:54 PM , Blogger Judy in Ohio said...

    Sara, I have read many nice comments about Janome machines so you might want to visit a Janome dealer. I do not own one myself ... the quilters on the About.com forum are the ones who write positive things about this brand and they imply Janome machines are trouble-free. Wherever you go, take your own little quilt sandwich to "test drive" with. Don't rely on just the sales person's samples.

    Judy

     

  • At March 23, 2008 at 8:30 PM , Blogger Doris W. in TN said...

    Sara, I've sent you an email.

     

  • At March 24, 2008 at 12:07 AM , Blogger judy in ar said...

    You have found out the crux of sewing machines. It is the dealer, the dealer, the dealer (as in location, location, location :) ). I do have a New Home/Janome and love it. When I first got it (and sewed clothing rather than quilts) it would not keep a uniform button hole. The dealer replaced the whole machine and I haven't had any problems since. I have a MemoryCraft which is a computerized machine. I have been looking for a Janome Jem for classes etc, and my dealer friends (2 diff shops) told me they NEVER get traded in. People buy them and keep them.

    When I bought the MemoryCraft, I had narrowed my selection between the New Home and the Bernina. I have never regretted my choice.

    That being said, if you don't want all the bells and whistles as you said, the Husky Rose might be another good choice.

    The site would not let me put a grin sign after the location bit and rejected my post. That's why the smiley attempt.

     

  • At March 24, 2008 at 3:02 PM , Blogger Linda, the Serial Quilter from Oxford, Ohio said...

    Sara, if you are willing to spend less money, I suggest you look for a good vintage zigzag machine, perhaps a Singer 401, 403, 500 or 503. The 401 and 500 have lots of zigzag stitches built into the machine (they have an internal camstack), plus they can accept even more patterns via hard plastic disks that can often be found on auction sites or in antique malls. Those machine have all metal parts and take 15x1 needles, the commonly available ones now. You can find those machines at thrift stores or antique malls, and I've usually paid $75 or less for one. Well worth every penny, but of course I collect old Singers and know how good the vintage Singers are.
    Email me if you wish.

     

  • At March 24, 2008 at 3:18 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I've sent a request to join to the address given, but have not received a reply. Is anyone moderating this board?

     

  • At March 24, 2008 at 6:51 PM , Blogger Jill from Portland said...

    Maybe you should just try a different repair shop Sara. I don't think it would have to be a Bernina dealer.
    I have a fairly old model 1030 or 1130 I forget which, it's such a work horse I could never give it up. I'd keep trying. Jill

     

  • At April 6, 2008 at 4:58 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Does anyone have any information about quilt shows in Italy summer '08 ? Renee

     

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