Bernina Question...
 

I was offered the opportunity to buy a Bernina Sport for $300. Is that a good price? Can you quilt on it? I would love to get your thoughts! I would also use it to teach my 10 year old daughter how to sew. Would love to get a 350PE series, but $1350 is a lot of $$... Are Bernina's worth the cost? Thanks for your thoughts!!

The Bernina Sport is a wonderful vintage machine and a real workhorse. Whether or not it is worth $300 depends somewhat on its condition, the accessories that come with it, and the area in which you live. Here is a link to "completed listings" to see what they have sold for on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_saca...mplete=1&rt=nc

You could certainly quilt on a Bernina Sport -- powerful motor and superb stitch quality; however, the harp space is limited.

In my opinion, vintage Bernina's are worth the cost. I have a Bernina 1230 that I would never give up, and a smaller older vintage Bernina that I keep for sentimental value. But keep in mind a vintage machine will not have the needle-down feature that many of us have become addicted to in the computerized machines!

If it's in good condition, I think it's worth it. Though check ebay's CLOSED auction prices to see what others have paid.

I don't have a bernina. I think they are overpriced for the problems people have with them. I'm sure the vintage ones are better, since they are not computerized.

As far as the needle down feature that Prism is refering to...my old Bernina 1030 and 1031 have the feature...all you do is tap the controller with your heel....works like a charm.
BTW, I have quilted with the 1031 and the space is average.

I have had my Bernina 1230 for about 20 years. I did pay close to $2000 for it and at the time I did think it was a lot of money, but it still sews as good as the day I got it, and so I think it was worth every $ I paid for it. I have never had any problems with it, and hope it sews for at least another 20 years.

My Bernina 530-2 is from 1962 - it is non-computerized - and I love it.

It does sound like some of the most recent TOL ones have had problems.

I have a 26 year old Bernina 910, it cost around $700.00 new. That was a huge amount of money for me then, but I have never spent a dime on repairs in 26 years. I tell her how much I love her every time I sit down to sew! I am just now considering a new machine (maybe a 750QE), but I will never get rid of the 910. The 910 does have the heel tap needle down feature but it isn't quite the same as the new needle down. The cost of the new Berninas is unbelievable, and it has caused me to try others (Viking 875, Janome 7700, Pfaff 4.0) unfortunately none of them felt right to me. I am excited about the 7 series machines and I will also try out the new Pfaff Creative Performance.

Word for word, I would have written the same thing. I bought a Janome 7700 for its harp space, but will never give up my 1230.

Most of my friends with Berninas like them. Mine was a lemon. The price sounds good.