Hi Everyone...I just started quilting a few months ago so I'm on a steep learning curve! I thought I would pop in and read all sorts of information!
It's been great so far; however I have a question that I'm not sure anyone will be able to answer. I know I sure can't!

I'm looking at finally buying a decent used sewing machine and I have to choose between a Bernina 930, a Bernina 1130, and a Bernina Activa 135. Which do you all think would be the better choice. I will only be using it for quilting right now but I want to learn how to sew...and I'm only 23 so I have lots of years to learn about making things for any kids I might have!!

Thanks!!

Hi! I'm new here too - but welcome :)

As far as the machine goes - I'm not a Bernina junkie, so I would say, go with the one you can afford and does what you need it to. For quilting a larger throat comes in handy, if that's possible on those machines. Most quilters only use the straight stitch, but a zig-zag comes in handy at times too!

Good luck figuring it out ~
Amy

Sorry I can't help you with your question, but I wanted to welcome you to the board and many years of quilting fun!

I know nothing about Berninas, but I too wanted to welcome you to the forum, from St. Louis, MO. :lol:
I'm sure there will be people who can help you. Keep asking questions. :lol:

I can't help you with a choice of Bernina but I wanted to welcome you from NE CA. Glad you joined us. I'm sure there is someone on board who can help you with your Bernina questions. There are lots of friendly talented people on board who will help in any way they can.

I can help you. I have the Bernina 930, bought it in 1983. Even if I bought another machine I would never give up my Bernina. Although I am ashamed to say I have only had it tuned up once, but have not felt the need to. It is a real work horse. If you get it buy the walking foot and 1/4" foot if it does not have one. Just to give you an idea. When we lived in Germany, my mom bought her Bernina from a door to door sales man in 1956. My sister still has it and it works like a charm, I think we have replaced the belt twice. I have looked on ebay just to see what the 930s sell for. I gave over $1000 for mine in 1983 and they still hold their value, in fact I have seen some sell for as much as $1200+ used. I hope this helps. GREATTTTTTTTTTTT MACHINE. all metal so really heavy.

Hope you enjoy quilting as much as the rest of us do and I'm sure you'll pick up lots of sewing experience over the next few years. I can't tell you about Bernina brand either, but I would say that any machine that you are thinking of buying you need to run it, try all the stitches, check the top and bottom tensions, and have it checked by a sewing machine repair person if possible. New or used machines each have their own identities. I like the longest throat bed, the most stitches built in (I still do some selective person sewing for folks,) and the best 'feet' I can get.

Welcome from Jacksonville, NC, stop in often and always say a "Hey."

The 930 will do everything, it has many decorative stitches. Moms had the same stitches on her 830 she bought in 1956 as mine that I bought in 1983. In fact the salesman demontrated by doing an embroidery of Ike Eisenhour. Can you tell I am encouraging you to buy the 930. I would do a search for the different models and you will see many talking about their 930s.

Greetings from Sacramento CA. I don't know how much of the thread is about Berninas but it may help you decide based on general input:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/18292.page

Hi and Welcome from southern Indiana!