Originally Posted by foxxigrani
Read all these posts, and most of you have different machines. I have an older Bernina that is a workhorse believe me. I forget to oil it, I forget to clean it or even take it in, it doesn't care it just keeps on working. I have had this one since 1981, and have sewn things like canvas boat tops, tents you name it. I know you don't have to have a machine that will do all that to quilt, but that is only an example of my machine. It just keeps on working.. Ok now that I have bragged about my machine...
Here is what I would do if I had a set budget and was looking for a machine. Go to some of the dealers you would like to try, and ask about used machines. Try out some of them in the shop. I am sure if they think they have a sale, they will help you in any way. If not you don't want that machine anyway. You want someone that is a responsible dealer and stands by thier machine, new or used. Ok this is long, and probably stupid, but its a start.
Rita
I'm with the foxx on this one. I borrowed a Bernina 1530 with all the bells and whistles for my 3 day quilt project I did over New Years. Loverly machine that kept losing stitch lengths, wouldn't reverse thread half the time, sometimes when it did reverse, it wouldn't stop sewing backwards, sometimes it would then change the stitch length arbitrarily to something approaching basting length... I am never going to get rid of my 830 for a computerized model. I think you should go find a good old workhorse with a dozen (or 22) stitches and keep it oiled and tuned up. Buy local if you can. They want to keep your business.
tim in san jose