What I learned today at road2ca quilt class
 

Cynthia england patterns are not the easiest patterns to works on. Bernina's finally got to try the machines people always talk about and I can safely say I hate them and will never own one, and are far too expensive, more than they are worth IMHO, my espire cost less, had way more features, and sewed much nicer, and is way more user friendly than the 550 I sewed on all day. I also learned that the corner of my ruler can rip a giant hole in my favorite pair of jeans, yeah not too happy about that one. I think if I do another cynthia england pattern I will PP because I find that more enjoyable than her method, but she was a very good teacher, very nice, just talks way too fast to jot down any serious notes, but I enjoyed the class minus the jeans. Wished I would have tried out the kay buckley scissors but ran out of time, they sure looked nice. I have like 6 pairs of scissors but you can never have too many right

Love my Bernina and always will--so glad there is diversity, choice, and a machine for everyone.

I find that once you get used to something, it is hard to be open minded about something new. You are probably so comfortable with your current machine... It is like the old quilt board format that I loved. I never thought I would get used to the new board and now I love it. Glad you enjoyed your class

There is your dream machine out there just keep looking. I'm a Bernina girl but you don't have to be.:)

I am with you on the Bernina's being over priced. I had one quilt shop/Bernina dealership once imply that I was not a serious quilter because I did not own one. I just laughed and laughed and said "alot you know" ... and never went back.

I LOVE scissors, too. They're the sewing equivalent of chocolate chip cookies for me lol. That's what I always want to use the Joann's coupons on, but I have half a dozen as well and really don't need any more. :-) Laura

You should be sewing machine tester...you gave me a very detailed report on your Brother Dreamweaver...I am actually going to look at them at the RTC this weekend. I don't plan to buy one yet, but good place to try it out.

I think I am going to go on Saturday, my first time to road to ca. Mmwe live about 3 hrs away, my husband will drop me off and then go to bass pro shop. Im not in the market for anything, just want to check it out for the day!

I can tell you guys the quilts are beautiful, me favorite was a lady from germany, one of the first ones when you walk in, the sea turtles were just breathtaking, well worth a 3hr trip. I am looking forward to visiting the vendors on friday

Was the quilt that you loved by Claudia Pheil? If so, her work is fantastic. She has really given the quilting in Germany a boost. Her son came over here and took the maintenance course at the APQS factory in Carroll, Iowa. Yes, I am a fan of hers.:thumbup: She is an APQS dealer and has a quilt shop.

We're all different. Is'nt that what makes the world go round? I have been sewing all my life, had all kinds of machines. But my favorite by far is my Bernina.

I love my Bernina and have never had a problem with it. I have it serviced faithfully every 1 1/2 years and purchased it in 1992. I think I paid $1299 for it then and it was worth every penny. Love, love, love my Bernina!

That sounds familiar, probably it, thanks for the name, I was going to google her but couldn't remember the name

Yeah our Bernina has been great and got it at 40% off so are perfectly happy.

Never had a Bernina. Planning on road on Friday.

Ditto, with exception of I also love my vintage sigers from threadles to FWs.

Wow Dolpyngyrl, appears you touched a nerve regarding the Bernina comment! LOL. Although I am also guilty as charged. Bought my Bernina 150 Quilters Edition back in 1998 and it was love at first stitch. I went from an old 1978 circa JC Penney workhorse. It was like going from a model T to a Mercedes. My skills improved ten fold with the first quilt I stiched. Wondered why i waited so long. Set in seams became a no brainer for me. Curved seams.... Piece of cake. I know it was the machine. love, love, love my Bernina. It has served me well the past 15 or so years and I suspect it will easily perform well another 20. I don't remember how much I paid for her and her cabinet. I just remember I got one year free financing and had it paid off in that amount of time. I did not think the machine was overpriced as I figured it would be the last sewing machine I bought. Even if it was as much as $1500, I'd say I have more than gotten my money's worth.

http://www.road2ca.com/2013winners/images/10861.JPGClaudia's quilt

Hi Dolphyngyrl ... I was at the show yesterday and tried the Dreamweaver that you love. It was everything I'd like to have but was not prepared to make the investment. Can't get it out of my mind though ... eventually I will own one !! And this is based in large part on your comments about the machine and the demo I had yesterday.

Love the Karen K Buckley scissors! They are now my favorites. Also, love my Bernina- got it at 50% off as a demo. But I agree, too expensive - especially the feet, etc.

I love my Bernina! I agree with you ...when people talk to fast I ask them to slow down, I can't hear that fast :D it makes them stop and think about it and then they slow down. Guess it's and age thing with me.:D

yes Cynthia's patterns are very detailed. I have one started of a deer hope to get back to it. Looked at it yesterday. I like the kay buckly scissors for applique. Olfa has some scissors similar too. I have babylock machines and a 1230 Bernina and like them both depending on what I am working on

Cynthia England
 

I made a lighthouse from one of her patterns. Since I do applique and not piecing; I bought her pattern, colored it in according to the fabric chart and redrew it as applique! It worked much better for me.

Bernina machines
 

Hi! I bought a Bernina 170 in 1991 and love it! Had no service charge if paid in one, I think it was. It was a trade in for a newer model. Only thing I have wondered is do you or do you not oil it yourself? Service man said never oil yourself. What is your thoughts?

Love the Brother sewing machines, and I have a Pfaff Ambition machine as well as a Riccar sewing machine and a very old PINK serger ... LOL so its your choice of machines, try them all. My next will be the Baby Lock Elissmo if I ever find one on sale !LOL

I have an older Bernina 1260 and love it. It's my favorite machine and I have Brother, Janome and Singer. Had a Pfaff one time too. I don't like the new 830. I used one in a class and it was a headache to sew. I think the older Berninas are way better then the new ones. I'd like to try the new Dreamweaver. I love quilt shows and wish I could be at R2C right now!

I sewed on a 1978 Kenmore ($140) until I bought my Bernina Active 240 in 2004. Such a difference, love it but I can say my LQS was a Bernina dealer and that is why I bought it for about $1200, paid over 1 year plan, if the dealer would have been selling Janomes or Pfalls, I would have gone in another direction. I bought for ease of going to classes and getting help locally. My old LQS has since moved and another has come into town and they do not have Bernina and I have to drive 90 miles if I want to get service. Not sure I want to change machines but may check out some. I have not done the quilts but sure would love to.

I have 3 Brothers- an NX400, one that does embroidery and the Laura Ashley NX 2000- Love my Brothers- more bank for my buck than other machines including additional parts, feet, etc. I sew ALOT and have put those machines thru their paces!!!! They have not disappointed!!!! Enjoy your Dreamweaver!!

love my BERNINA but it is 19 yrs old do not know about the newer ones....also my 301A since 1957

am very partial to Cynthia England method of Picture Piecing because the paper is not sewn in the seam (really do not like paper sewn in seam, really,really never ever liked paper sewn in the seam, truley never, ever)

LOL! Before I stared using vellum for pping I just left the paper in the seams. No one knew but me and the quilts didn't seem any worse for wear.

love my Bernina. Have had it 12 years. HOWEVER, I agree they are very pricey. If you found something better and less expensive, all I can say is good going...wish I had

Brother's do have very good bang for the buck. I didn't like the way the foot hopped when FMQing on the NX 2000 though. I thought for sure that would be the machine I got... The Dreamweaver's were much more expensive than I thought they would be, based on Brother's previous TOL machine pricing.

I actually do own a Bernina now, but only because it was an amazing bargain when I bought it. It came with a free embroidery module, where the Brother deal was a free serger, which I already have. I always regret not going and asking if they would have thrown in a low end embroidery machine instead. But like I said- the hopping issue. The Bernina foot runs more smoothly over the fabric, but of course, that is personal preference. I did love how the NX 2000 came with every accessory imagingable.

I don't think there is one best brand. Quite honestly, every brand, Viking, Babylock, Bernina, Brother, Janome, (did I forget some) makes high quality machines, and I would take one from any of those brands at the comprable level to my Bernina.

I've learned that one more thing about moving from Las Vegas to Denver is that I wasn't close enough to go to Road this year and I've very sad. :(

I am envious!! I usually go to road with several friends but no one could go this year. I am not able to be on my feet and walk all day so with no one to push me in my wheel chair.......

I love going to that show. It is so much fun to see all the beautiful quilts and fun new "tools" and to play with the Long Arm machines!!!! I am bummed that I am missing it. We usually go on the Friday (today). I have never taken classes there, I keep thinking that I will someday. But it would mean a hotel room for a couple of nights which then makes it quite expensive!

I have a Bernina, I love it!!!

i am a bernina lover my first machine and still my fav.. of course it is not a new one it was one i bought to see if i would even like to sew well now i do and have 3 other machines but the bernina is my old faithful and one i feel most comfortable with... so glad there are machines for everyone...

Thats funny because out of the 3 FMQ feet I like the hoping foot, it actually was my favorite to use on the espire

Yeah this was my favorite, I'm an ocean girl at heart despite the fact that I work no where near the ocean and my marine biology degree is hard at work working with dogs and cats. I just love sea turtles, did a project on them in 8th grade, and am still facinated by them. This quilt is so beautiful, wish I could see a site like this in real life.

I love my two Berninas and wouldn't trade them for any other brand. I teach new quilters and at our LQS I see all different brands in my classes. Yes, Berninas are pricey, but they are fabulous machines. I have found over the years that the people who try quilting and quit are usually people who have very low price point machines that don't sew straight seams well or handle the multiple layers of quilting well. They get discouraged because their machines frustrate them. There are many great brands and models of machines out there, but I say go for the best you can afford, take your machine mastery classes as many times as you need to, and have fun!

I got Cynthia England's book and a kit last year at Roads. Still haven't tried to do it. ;) Went this year on Thursday..... my new HQ Sweet Sixteen will be delivered this coming week!! WooHoo!!!!:thumbup: Can't comment on the Bernina discussion since my other 2 machines are Janomes.