Hello. I'm hoping for input to help resolve an internal argument I'm having with myself repeatedly. I'm an owner of a new Janome 6600 since the end of September. I really like the machine, but would LOVE the BSR and extra throat space (12 full inches!) of the 820. When I bought the 6600, it fit into my budget with little to spare. Now, here's the good part....On Thanksgiving I was informed a long lost aunt left me enough money in her will to pay for the 820 and still have a little money left over. (I'm not kidding....truly a long lost aunt!) Am I justified in buying a new machine when the 6600 is still so new? I know there will be many advising me to put the money away and "think on it", but my worry is that once it gets assimilated into the checking or savings account, my husband will find it "painful" to withdraw and spend that much on a sewing machine. It feels like a "now or never" scenerio. Does any of this make sense? I would love to hear anything you have to say about the matter. Thanks for listening:).

Personally, I would buy the 820 and then sell or trade in the 6600. Sounds like you "settled" for the 6600 at the time (even though it is a nice machine), but now that you can afford the 820, I say go for it. It will probably be the last sewing machine you buy, so why not have everything on it that you want. Just my humble opinion, but that is what I would do. This is money that you hadn't expected and didn't have it earmarked for anything, so I would make the purchase of the 820.

I would buy it! Although I only have the 430, the 820 would be awesome to own, especially with a surprise windfall!

I would guess your Aunt wanted you to have the money for something special just fpr you. I wouldn't let it get put into an account where t could be used for every day expenses. Get the Bernina and be happy and thankful to your nice aunt. You can sell the Janome or trade it in if they give you a decent amount. Have fun with that wonderful Bernina!

We quilters must think alike! Although the little shop I bought the 6600 from won't do a trade in....I don't even know what I would want since the 820 would have everything I could ever dream of!

If an aunt gave me the money - she must have heard how much you loved to quilt and knew that you would use the money for that new machine we all dream about. I would get it and remember what a terrific person she was every time I used it.

I really hardly knew my aunt and hadn't seen her since around 1989, but she was a wonderful person. She did a lot of charity work and was always donating to various causes. I didn't know until I read in her obituary that she loved to sew! That kind of felt like "supportive information", if you know what I mean.

I would definitely buy it AND keep the Janome too. I have two machines and always have a project going on each one. I machine quilt on my home sewing machine and it's so handy to be able go to my other machine when I want to piece another project. Enjoy!!! and congratulations!
You could make a few charity quilts in her honor when you get your new machine.

I was thinking the same thing about the charity quilts. I've been wanting to make the world a better place, but my talents aren't plentiful. Quilting feels like all I have to give and I would be happy to do so. I've seen on this site a few different options for donating quilts and I look forward to feeling the joy of someone receiving one of mine!

I was at this place at one time.not the sweet aunt part!!!I bougth a new viking.It was a good machine but I felt something was missing.our local quilt shop was going out of businnes.she had aused bernina 930. after I sewed with it I knew it was what I wanted.so I got it and I still love it.later I sold the viking to someone with a big family,she was so happy to get it.her sister had one and she had been wantig one for awhile.if I was you I would get what you want.life is to short not too.