I am a Bernina lover. I have the 200, 150 and 160. They are quality machines with all metal parts. It must need an adjustment if it is not working correctly or it could be a threading problem. Be sure you have it threaded properly and thread it with the presser foot up until you get to the needle. This assures the thread is in all the tension discs. This should be done on any machine. I would take an old Bernina any day over a new machine. I helped my niece, DIL, her mother and daughter find used Berninas after buying other machines that just did not hold up and always had issues. I would take it back and ask that it be working properly if you bought it from a store. It should have been oiled and serviced if from a store. I also have an elna, two older singers and 4 FW's. The only machine I love sewing on as much as my Berninas are the FWs. I cannot speak for the Juki...only for the quality of a Bernina.

Good Luck and I hope you find a machine that you are happy with. Beware of buying machines on ebay that in the fine print say as is, or non returnable. If a machine will not be guaranteed it may have a reason for that.

I thought you were considering a Janome? Most of us on here were in favor of the janome brand over the bernina as the bernina's are so over priced and high end. Thats too bad. Hopfully your parents will get this straightened out. Good luck.

Looks like you have a wonderful dealer....keep that in mind and don't be afraid to ask for help from them. As far as I'm concerned nothing sews like a Bernina. As far as old accessories, put your feelers out at the dealer for specific ones you want. It is not important to have tons of feet...many of them just make a job that you can do with a regular foot a little easier. If you are wanting to learn to sew garments, find a mentor or class. Quilting is the same way. To get used to your machine, make some pillowcases or some of the cute aprons they have now in patterns. You'll be sewing away in no time. I am so proud of a young woman your age keeping these crafts/hobbies alive! There have been many times in my life that I have called my sewing/quilting my therapy!!!

I love my Berninas, I've owned 5 of them through the years, have 2 older ones left.
I'm so glad it all worked out for you! The 730 is a great machine, my dd used hers for 4 years then decided to buy a Bernina 930. She learned to sew with a Bernina and just loves them. You can find a free manual for your machine here:
http://www.berninausa.com/news_detai...i2238-sUS.html

Scroll down the page until you see the link 730/731/731.

Wow! so many people replied! Thanks so much to you all for your opinions and suggestions. I'm also happy with what i did :thumbup: and will definitely be sharing my projects with you all in the future! Thanks again :)

I was aware of that but there are no janome dealers near where I live, and that played a big role in this), but i am still happy with my machine :o

AMEN...all of the "30 models are die hard workhorses...well the original ones that is...not picking up stitches could be a bent a needle, the wrong thread, the bobbin not wound right, etc, etc, etc....
IF you bought it from a dealer take it back and have them go over it with you, that is part of their job as a Bernina shop...if it was a Bernina shop, you did not say.

My local Bernina dealer just shut her doors Sat. but we will be doing a final inventory all week and she has feet still. I can see about the other stuff as well.

I have two Berninas one was new and the other one used. I have had no problems with the Bernina Artista used model. I love it. They are not complicated machines to use at all. Very friendly and extremely reliable. I love mine and wouldn't trade them in for all the tea in China. Sorry to hear about your bad experience, hopefully you did buy it from a dealer.

Sounds to me like the dealer fixed your machine and you are very happy with it! I have my first Bernina that I purchased brand new in 1982. I believe it is a 930 Record? It is probably my favorite machine ever! There are a lot of great machines out there and everyone has a favorite. I bought my 8 year old granddaughter a used Janome...she loves it! Right after I purchased the Janome for her birthday I went to a huge garage sale and bought 2 Kemore's for $10 each, took them to my dealer and had them serviced. He charged me $10 as they needed very little work..if I would have known I would have found these she would have received one of them as they sew great! For something fun and very simple...I might suggest a purse organizer.... Might even be a great gift for your friends when needed! I found a free pattern and printed it so I think I can find it and would be happy to pass on the site address if you pm me. Enjoy Qtip!