Missi

So I am asking - ok begging Santa to bring me a Bernina Embroidery Machine and Santa keeps asking me questions. I have done some reading out there but it is hard to find info on Berninas. What do I need, what can't I live without. I know I want the BSR besides that I am not sure.
There are quite a few one ebay right now but I am unsure about getting such an expensive and complicated machine from there. Anyone else bought an embroidery machine from ebay? How hard are they to learn to use? Please can you all give me your input, experiences, any info I should pass along to Santa.
Thanks!!!!!!!

lanagan

I have the Bernina 640 with embroidery and love it. I wouldn't buy 2nd hand off of ebay. They just had to replace my LCD screen which would have been expensive if it wasn't under warranty so that's why I would be direct from a Bernina dealer. They usually offer free classes to learn as well.

ScubaK

Have you looked at Pfaff
They have IDT and I love it!!!
Kirsten

beachlady

I will take either a bernina or pfaff, so if santa gives you 2, send the other one to me!!

Loretta has a Pfaff and I know she loves it!!!

adriansmom

Do not by a Bernina second hand for one reason only...when something breaks..because it will...they can be very expensive to fix. I inherited mine and the emb module went bad very soon after. My machine was only 1.5 yrs old and hardly used. The lady decided the machine was too much machine for what she does and traded it in for a lesser model. I did not have the warranty..cost me $450 to replace. Also my delaer in tow provide all servicing/upgrades for no charge when purchasing a machine. It costs me $75 everytime it needs its annual service. Being it's computerized, you don't want to let the annual servicing go by the wayside. I say..buy new. The classes are free..and you'll need them along with the warranties and other perks your dealere gives you. Unfortunately, the sam guy owns all 3 bernina stores ina 200 mile radius..so I can't even try for a cheaper deal with someone else. I have a 180E, and my mom has the 200E, along with the quilting machine and a serger. I love my "Berni" but sure wish I had the warranties and classes. I've had my machine for 6 years and couldn't tell you all this machine can do or how to do it. I still don't know what half the buttons on the screen are for!! Hope santa brings you what you want. Go to the dealer and try one on and see what you think.

Lacelady

I have the Bernina 730E and I love it. Just before the end of the second year, it ceased up and had to be sent to the UK for repair, as our Dublin 'dealer' is way past his sell by date, and couldn't put it right. It was under guarantee (three years) so no problems there. I didn't have it serviced until year three, because that was when it told me to, and then I took it to Northern Ireland (to avoid Dublin again). The only thing I could suggest to tell Santa, is to be sure that, if buying secondhand, be sure to get the Blue dongle (security device) otherwise the embroidery software won't work.

bebe

Buy from a dealer check and see they may have a trade in. Do not buy such an expensive machine from Ebay. Better to have a instructor and place to take your machine..Dealers need to be certified before they sell any machines. The y go to the Bernina school and are properly trained to teach you how to use your machine. I use to work in a quilt shop and my bossand her mom were certified dealers. Best route. Bernina has a credit card that one can apply for. Just a thought!!!! :wink: :D

Missi

Lesley - can I ask why you went with the 730E over the 640E? I see that the BSR is standard with the 730 but an option on any of the 600 series and there are a few other things that are options versus standard. The 730 also has more built in stitches am I correct there? Thanks for you help and input!!!!

mpspeedy

I have a Bernina Deco 650. It only sews out a 4 inch motif but uses the pes. format type of patterns. They are the ones also sold by many other machine dealers and Nancy's Notions, Martha Stewart etc. The Brother company had the original patten on the embroidery machine so the Deco 350 and 600 are basically Brother machines and use the same software. They probably don't sell them new anymore but a dealer might have a used one that they would warrenty. I like it because all it does is embroidry. I don't like the combination machines. I have the Deco, a serger and a Bernina 1260. I can use all three sewing machines on the same project at the same time without having to change feet, plates or thread. I found out that I can not use a stitch regulator because I move to fast. My idenity as mpspeedy is my personality in everything. My Bernia dealer had the new $12,000 top of the line machine set up in her shop. She wanted me to try it on the longarm frame. They laughed at me because I kept getting ahead of the stitch regulator. Years ago I worked for her. She sells Berninas but makes her bread and butter doing alterations and custom dressmaking. She used to walk past me at my machine and push the half speed button. I have always sewed to fast.
I have a fortune tied up in embroidery software. Make sure the machine you choose is one that can accept the most different formats.

Jim's Gem

I have a Bernina 630e that I bought on e-bay not quite three years ago. It came in perfect running condition with very little time on the sewing and no embroidery time. It came with the BSR foot. It has been an absolutely wonderful sewing machine. When I first won it, I was scared to death!!! I had no idea what condition it would be in or anything. No, I don't have a warranty, It has had 3 cleanings (I have a lot of mileage on there now) each time it ran about $85 and they also updated the software each cleaning.
What I am not happy with is the embroidery software that I got with it is old (which buying used, duh!) (editor lite ver 4) and it was too out of date to be able to take a class to learn how to use it. I have not figured it out yet. Wish I had someone to just show me!!! I have used the em unit for my quilt labels but hope to someday figure out how to do more