|
New from Maine
Hello! Just joined this board today. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks now and I've learned so much from reading a lot of threads, that I knew I wanted to join. Thank you.
I do have a question - I've been doing some research and have decided on getting a new machine, Brother 1500. I would love to get one from one of the dealers here, but closest is 30 minutes drive and they obviously aren't able to take my Bernina in as a trade-in. I understand why. Is it okay to buy one from Amazon, Walmart or Joann Fabric? I do buy things from the local shops, but the price difference is such a factor right now, that it's hard to pass up the lower price on-line. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again to everyone on this board. I have so enjoyed the conversations. |
My Janome dealer will take any machine as a trade in, odd that shop doesn't.
welcome to the board from SW Washington |
Thank you KalamaQuilts! I'm excited to be here. Originally from Montana until a year ago. We were neighbors!
I contacted a couple of single brand local shops and if my trade in wasn't originally bought at their store, they won't take it. One other store would, but they don't have a machine that I'm interested in. |
Welcome from Ontario, Canada. If your Bernina is still working, keep it as your back up machine.
|
Making sure everything is exact means it is ok to buy a brand name from one store to another, price does matter but factor in shipping costs if any. But be wary, some have very minor SKU number differences which may or may not make a difference. I've been told, for example, that some Walmart electronics "passed" their manufacturing tests but not as highly as the regular models.
My Costco Brother I bought as a class machine had a specific model number, took me a little tiny bit to figure out which bobbins to use for it. When I went the next town over to the Brother shop they treated me badly and I have refused to go there ever again, basically they sniffed down their noses at me and since I bought a "disposable" machine instead of one of their high priced Brothers they wouldn't even look up the model of the bobbins I needed. Fine, didn't need their overpriced bobbins anyway... and I'm still using this opportunity to speak badly of that establishment/encounter. If I ever did buy a Brother (and I rather like their embroidery machines) I will never ever buy it from that establishment nor would I use it for service. |
Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)
|
Welcome to QB. I split my time between southern NH and Aroostook County.
Regarding buying a machine from Amazon or big box stores, I would stick to a local dealer. You will get the best possible service (i.e. cleanings, tune-ups, etc.). A lot of smaller shops will not work on machines bought at Walmart, etc. Also, you may be able to negotiate a better price with a small shop (check the manufacturer's website to see if they are running any price promotions on the machine). I was able to get my Baby Lock Jazz at 50% off at a local shop because Baby Lock was selling the machine directly for 50% off. You may be able to sell your other machine privately. Why not keep it as a class machine/travel machine? If you are a member of the local Pine Tree Quilt Guild chapter, maybe someone in the guild would be interested in buying. There are many quilting resale groups on Facebook. There is a forum here on QB for items for sale. You may have luck selling it here. Good luck. I don't know where you are in Maine, but 30 minutes away...not that far. I travel that far in the County just to get to a supermarket. Just my 2 cents...Welcome, again! |
Thank you Tartan! My Bernina is working very well. It is a B215. There are a number of things I like about it, but the harp space is small and it is hard to get bulky fabrics and/or multiple layers under the presser foot. Thank you for the advice, I think I am going to hang on to it.
|
Thank you Iceblossom! I've been wondering about the differences with the machines from different retailers. Good advice.
I have the same feeling about certain stores as well. Have not returned to them. |
Thank you QuiltnNan! I should warn everyone that this my first time joining a board of any kind. So I hope people will be patient with me as I try and learn how to navigate, and respond and post and ...
|
ILovetoQuilt, we're neighbors! Maybe I just need to be patient. I've been wondering about trying to sell it privately. It would be nice to have a back-up or a machine that has a zig-zag, if needed. Just didn't every think about having more than one.
I'm born and bred Montanan, until a year ago. Everything there was at least an hour away. Sometimes I just want to stay home. :) |
Welcome to the board from Minnesota.
If your Bernina is behaving well, and you have room for it, I also (strongly) recommend that you keep it as a backup machine. Where I live, a 30 minute drive is "close" |
Welcome from Alberta, Canada. I'm another person with a lengthy drive of over an hour to get to anywhere that will do machine servicing.
I have a few different machines, two of them are electronic Kenmore that were made by Janome. I didn't mean to collect them, but they aren't really worth that much on the resale market and I'd rather have a spare, just in case. Also, sometimes my daughter's friends come over for some sewing lessons, and they get to work on the smaller, older machines instead of my 1 year old Janome 9400 that I got when I started quilting. I also say if you otherwise like the machine and it's working well, and you have the space, keep it. |
Welcome to the board! :)
I wouldn't get rid of your Bernina either. They are such wonderful machines. I bought a Juki TL 2010Q on Amazon and I love it. I think it's similar to the one you want to buy but I could be wrong. I'm very happy with my Juki. I have a Bernina 150 but wanted more harp space and the BSR so I bought a 770 this year. But I'll never part with my older Bernina. BTW- I've vacationed in Maine and absolutely love that part of the country. |
Welcome from Texas. Hope you find the machine you want.
|
Thank you everyone for the words of welcome, encouragement and advice. I have stewed over this decision (keeping the Bernina, trying to sell it, etc.) for too long now. My head hurts. I looked at the Jukis too, but cost was a factor as well as dealer close by (bobbins, extra feet). As I mentioned in an earlier post, I read as many threads on this board as I possibly could on the Brother vs. Juki. You all have helped me tremendously. As I have learned, both brands are good machines, comes down to personal decision, what I want in a machine, cost, yada, yada, yada.
After my lovely husband reminded me that he has at least 30 guitars, why should I fret about having two sewing machines. So I ordered the Brother PQ1500. Should be here next week! I'm so terribly excited. I have to say you all have made me feel so welcome in my first day here. Thank you. Carol |
Hi Bags welcome to the board from NE Ohio originally from southern coast of Maine.
|
Bags, welcome from a fellow "Mainah". I have a janome machine and the dealer is 1 hour away, so I understand your dilemma. Enjoy your new machine when it comes and have fun getting to know it. Can't wait to see what you create on it.
|
Welcome from Southern Indiana! As a quilter, you will probably end up with more than one machine...I personally have several...and love them all! Enjoy your quilting journey!
1 1 |
Welcome from Michigan!:)
|
"Just didn't every think about having more than one. " Didn't know that was possible. When you get more than 50 ya gotta start asking why. |
a warm welcome to the board, it is a wonderful place to share, and I love that it is a safe place, the moderators are great here. Love Maine, lived there a couple of times over the years, and would love to move there again. I think I have one last move in me. LOL
|
Hi everyone! Thank you again for the kind and welcoming words. This truly is a wonderful, encouraging and comforting place to come and visit. I'm not really a quilter (yet), but I've done a couple of goofy and simple blankets for husband (Rocky and Bullwinkle) and son (Chicago Bears) and now grandbaby blankets. If I can find the pictures of them, I'll post them.
As my username might suggest, I love sewing bags. My search for a new sewing machine began when I was sewing a large diaper bag for my son (twins and a 4 year old stepdaughter) and having a lot of trouble trying to maneuver it in the small throat space of my Bernina. After starting to research large throat space machines, and narrowing down my choice to the Brother and the Juki, I googled "Brother compared to Juki". It brought me here. I have learned so much here, just about sewing in general, I decided to join this board. Can't wait to try some of these wonderful projects that I've seen on this board. So... Thank you, Carol |
The Brothers 1500 series are great machines! I love mine and it is a workhorse! I have the the 1500se and have had it now for 10+ years and it runs perfect all the time. I am watchful of it and took it in for a check up about 6 months ago and all was well. I have a number of machines here and I love them all. The 1500 has probably got the most work out in the last 10 years.
|
1 Attachment(s)
Bags,
This Union Spicial Industrial is made for sewing feed bags shut. If I ever get it all to move I may get to try it. [ATTACH=CONFIG]621150[/ATTACH] |
leonf, what a wonderful looking machine. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
|
welcome from another Maine-iac. I live on coastal Maine altho in winter we now come to WA state to be nearer the kids. More than one machine?? most of us have several -- I have 2 in WA and only one in Me. I love to shop at Mardens but for many fabrics go to my local (only 30 miles) quilt shop. They are also my local dealer for Janome.
You will find us all ready and willing to ask/answer everything. |
I still bad mouth the dealer from 20 years ago about my old Volkswagon Fox car. In the end, I think I got "even " with them. Haha
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:28 PM. |