I have always sewed - since I was 4 years old. Clothing, draperies, slip-covers, quilts, you name it. I had some brother something or other that was fair but caused me fits and it really wasn't what I needed for all the sewing I do.
11 years ago I took the machine to be fixed. The only repair shop was at a bernina dealer- they took the machine, said they'd give it a decent burial and introduced me to a 10 year old traded- in bernina. Well, that machine does what I want, all the time, and except for fancy attachments, it's great. Get something good even if it's used. I swear by mine and if I ever buy a new machine, I'll look at bernina first. I'm keeping the old one.
Cheryl