I don't know where you are located but in Michigan we have several sewing machine stores. I usually get a Viking and have good service if I ever need it. I have the very expensive embroidery machine and one under $700 that I also use. Viking products seem to be very dollar worthy machines and seldom need anything other than cleaning.

kellen46 - got a quick question since you have purchased the machine I am planning on purchasing. You mention spending an extra $100 to get the needle adjustment feature. On this same machine? I hadn't seen anything about this - so was wanting more information as I haven't yet purchased the machine. Having the ability to adjust the needle would be nice, but not a deal breaker.

There might be a simple fix for your good old Bernina.
 

[QUOTE=jillmc;4900394]Thanks for all ! I did some stitching today on my old Bernina, and I just love the machine! Even tho she doesn't stop sewing when I let up on the foot pedal, and the decorative stitches no longer work......and a few other "minor" problems. I am going to search for a used Bernina. I already have a ton of feet, including a walking foot...so I hope I can use them on a newer machine. I am used to sewing on this machine, and the Janome 6600 seemed so complicated when the staff member was showing me how to change feet, change bobbins for FMQ, etc. I have posted a wanted ad on CL for a few weeks.....no luck so far, but I will keep renewing the ad. Perhaps the dealer has some used machines that were traded in during the holidays...........will keep you posted!

By any chance....is your old Bernina 830 Record? I have this machine and had this problem. It was not the machine but the foot pedal. So you might have an inexpensive fix. Take it in for a complete cleaning and diagnostic. I have a local Babylock dealer who will work on non computerized Bernina's. ( The Bernina Dealer is 3hours away over the mountains) He fixed it so good that the cams for the decorative stitches now do work and so does the motor speed. The cost was about $100. For some reason I have had to have the foot pedal replaced now two times. But since I bought the machine back in 1973 that is not too bad. It still runs wonderful. By the way the older feet will not work on the newer machines. I also have a 440 which is now my main machine and the 830Record is in honorable retirement and my back up machine.

I love my Babylock Quilter's Choice Professional that is like the Juki Semi-Professional... only straight stitches ... knee lift ... cutter ... threader ... needle up/down ... drop feed dogs and many feet. I paid $950 in 2005. It has a 9" throat. You can slowly step it through one stitch at a time or run it at the high speed of a long arm machine. I've done a queen sized quilt on it, but now use it for smaller quilts and microstippling using a #70 needle and #100 silk thread...love, love, love it for this type of work. I have a Nolting mid-arm which is set into a table where I push the quilt under the needle which I now use for bigger quilts. http://www.babylock.com/sewing/quilt...-professional/

Look on the AllBrands site and it is the same machine with the extra feature at $699. I found that AllBrands was very responsive to emails and can help you with any questions. They are good folks to work with.

Thanks!!! I have seen that machine, will have to look closer at the extra features. I, too, have found AllBrands to be very responsive. Had a question about this machine. There responded quickly and were very nice. Can't wait to order mine! Just waiting to make my last payment on tires for my car - and that will happen in February. :-)

I'm with there with the Viking Rose, I have and it all these years, it's a work horse, and has never let me down.

I bought a Baby Lock this past Christmas for my use while home in the USA. I am "hooked" - talk about intuitive and easy to use, to say nothing of the quality and wide range of prices and models. I bought a Sofia 2 ($600) and am pleased with it. I will probably upgrade in a few years to a more sophisticated model, but this was like meeting an old friend with whom I could quickly renew a friendship. They are made in Asia, but at the Baby Lock factory to their specs.

I have both Singer & Brother machines and love them both, but I do lean more towards the Brother.js

You can buy a lower end Huskvarna, I have the high end and a low end machine and use the low end machine 90% of the time! I don't use all the fancy "bells and whistlles" after all!

Have you checked into trading yours in - maybe on a used or floor model? I think Brothers are very good machines and seem to be more in the range you are setting for yourself.

The Janome 6600 is a wonderful machine. Check out E-bay. I bought the 11000SE for half then price a dealer wanted. You may be able to dot he same with the 6600

Me too. I bought my Viking back in 1988 and it is still running strong. Of course I have several other machines but this is my go-to for basic sewing. I don't think you can go wrong with a Viking.

I love my Viking Sapphire 875---the auto tie-off, the auto cutting. It sews through everything, doesn't rattle, is heavy but not too heavy to carry to classes.

Hi,
Allow me to jump on the Brother bandwagon!! I have used Singers in the past, and a Janome Memorycraft...recently I bought the Brother PC-420, it sews like a dream, and I love how it has the extras such as knee-lift and thread cutter. That being said, I also bought a Brother PQ-1500, I bought it mainly for fmq, and for quick piecing, as it also has a 9" harp and I can use it on a quilting frame or off. I have not been disappointed by either machine! The PQ-1500 also has a "pin feed" system which also makes straight line or sid quilting so easy, I don't even have to attach the even-feed/walking foot, as the pin feed "scoots" it along...for the price they can't be beat! Lastly, we are all different and of course have differing opinions, and machines we love, isn't it great we can all gather here and talk about it, too?!! I know my dh probably, no make that surely, does get tired of listening to my quilting talk, though he never complains (out loud anyways..lol..). I try and keep it to a minimum, as listening to his fishing, hunting, work shop activities is not exactly fun for me, either...:)
Take care,
Kif

I know of someone who is selling her 6600. She up graded to a 7700 horizon. If you are interested, I'll put you in touch. I do know the machine is in very good condition and well taken care of.

I have the old 930 Bernina, I have been offered $1,000.00 for it when I bought the new 830 machine, I took it last week to the Quilting at the Lake retreat, worked great, Is your machime dead or do you just wish to replace it? I would not give mine up for any thing, Can it be repaired?What a workhorse, I have done denim, fancy embroiderry on it and just did a class with Melinda Bula, beautiful thread work free motion,I used it hard but keep it lint free and bobbin oiled after every bobbin change, Just my thought s Bee LOL

Bee-my 930 still works-it just has an annoying habit of not stopping when I need it to! I bought it second hand about 15 yrs ago, and it has always had this issue. Had it serviced when I first purchased it, and they couldn't figure out what was causing the issue, so I have just dealt with it. The decorative stitches don't work at all-they used to, but I don't use them too often, and when I tried to use them a few months ago, nothing.....I will continue my search for an updated model, but I will always love my first Bernina! :-)

I have a lot of older machines! If u don't need fancy stitches these r workhorses! I use the 15-91 the most!!! The money u save buys alot of fabric!!!!

PLEASE conside a Brother, I have had such good results, I have the 1500 quilting machine and it has more room under the arm, all attachments, pin feed, ability to drop feed dogs and is only a straight stitch whicgive BEAUTIFUL stitch quality. I got mine for around $700. I LOVE IT!!

Sorry the Bernina dealer in your area was not the friendliest dealer. My dealer in Dallas is great. For information purposes the feet for the original Bernina 930 do not fit on the newer Bernina models. I do agree with others that you might want to take your machine to another sewing shop that is willing to work on all brands of machine. Good luck in your quest.

mltquilt