I finally bought my new machine and I am really struggling with it. I decided to get a Bernina 640 with the embroidery module and a BSR that is supposed to help with free motion quilting. Everyone said I needed to have a dealer close to help with classes but the only dealer within 100 miles of here was a Bernina Dealer. I have always used a Singer and it has a top load bobbin. Bernina is a front bobbin. I HATE THAT! :-( I do like the seperate motor so I can load a bobbin and still sew. I am interested in the embroidery features but I am feeling overwhenlmed. I put it in the closet. Can anyone out there help me see the good in my investment? I am sad and so is my dear sweet hubby. :?

Doesn't your dealer offer classes? My dealer is about 45 mins. away, but the classes are the best way to learn how to use your machine to its full potential. I just finished my 3 classes that came with my Bernina. If you hate front loading bobbin machines, why did you get it in the first place??

My dealer told me I would learn to love it because of the seperate motor that allows me to sew and rewind the bobbins at the same time. My problem is I have been unable to attend the classes due to a heart problem. I am only able to sit for an hour at a time right now.

I was very overwhelmed with my first embroidery machine...the embroidery module alone made me :shock: cringe in fear....
I finally took it out, chose a very simple design, went through the manual as I hooped, chose threads and "just went for it" After a few trial and errors, we have become friends :D:D:D

Maybe joining one of the yahoo groups geared toward your machine will give you the information and support to get you comfortable with this machine and all of it's bells and whistles :D:D:D

I have the Berninia 630 with the embroider module and the BSR plus the alking foot. I really think if you can take just one thing at a time, since you can't get to where lessons are, you will be surprised what you can do. The fabric place where I got my machines classed and while the next place is about 45 minutes from me, I basically house bound. But you may want to consider putting a small notice in your local community paper asking if there is anyone out there that could possibly help you with lessons. I have two people that taught at the shop and I stayed in touch with them over time. So even now, after almost three years with my machine, I still will call or send an e-mail for help with something. Please don't give up on it or stick it in the closet. It's a very, very worth while machine.

Blue

You definitely won't learn anything with it in the closet! Get it out and play with it!

I don't have this machine, but my advice would be as the ladies said above, read the manual, get the machine out of the closet and play! Take the manual with you as you look over your machine. One step at a time and before you know it, you'll be stitching along. I think any new machine can be overwhelming at first, especially the more complicated ones. Don't except to remember everything at once, it will take some time. By the way, don't feel bad, my aunt got a new Brother embroidery machine given to her as a birthday present. She let it sit in the box for 3 yrs before she got brave enough to get it out and use it...

Oh Momwood, you've got an awesome machine, but I understand how you would feel overwhelmed at first. I got a 440 last year and just upgraded to a 730E. The manuals are not a lot of help, but if you take it slowly, you can get it. What is overwhelming you? the regular sewing or the embroidery? If it is the embroidery, I was too! But, first acquaint yourself with the machine with regular sewing and then move on to the embroidery. I never though i would want the embroidery, but I have now done everything from towels to a messenger bag!

I joined the Yahoo group for Bernina owners and they have been a tremendous help! I suggest you try that out also.

I'll be glad to store it in my closet........

I got a new machine for Christmas, and I was also overwhelmed at first. Mine is a Pfaff, so I can't help with the Bernina, but my advice is to get very familiar with the instruction book. Mine helps me a lot. Maybe you could get a more detailed instruction book online?

The advice you have been given so far is good. Take it one small thing at a time, and conquering the bobbin may be step one.

Get it out of the closet and play with it. You can do this.

I say don't play with the embroidery module until you are comfortable with the machine. At Bernina-USA website they have a few videos. Also the Thequiltshow.com, on the left column, they have videos using different Bernina feet, some of which you have in your computer. You need to relax, read the book and get to play. Enjoy your machine.

You got a wonderful machine. You will learn to appreciate that bobbin loading in front when you are doing an embroidery design and the bobbin runs out.

When I took my mastery classes the dealer simply followed some of the lessons in the mastery book. I found a site where you can download the mastery book for free, and there is a separate one for the embroidery unit:

http://www.byrnesewing.com/mastery.html

That should have you up and going in no time!

I also felt overwhelmed with my bernina. I got the 440QE. I was unable to get to the free classes but I just started out slow and added a few of the features as I felt comfortable with what I had learned. I wanted it for the stitch regulator to do stippling. It took reading and playing with it but i finally mastered using it. Just try to learn a few of the features at a time and you will soon feel comfortable with it. Don't give up. You can do it!

I don't have that machine or anything near as fancy, but I do have the brother SE270D. But what I would do is start with one thing about the machine read the book, learn it , practice and when you feel comfortable then move on to another thing. Also do not be afraid to ask lots of questions here and in the Yahoo groups.

For the embroidery on my machine it came with a book and I read that, studied and keep it right next to me. My machine did not have the options of classes, so it was all self taught . And I still learn new things all the time, but you won't learn if you don't try :thumbup:

Dear momwood
The ladies here have given some great advice. Just take it one step at a time. I bought my 640 a couple years ago and I am very comfortable with it. I'm sure with a little help you will be very happy. I will pm you if you'd like or please feel free to pm me and we can walk through the questions together. I have the time and would love to help you with your questions or whatever you need.

You will learn to love the front load bobbin case. I can refill a bobbin and change threads, ect while the work is still on the machine. I do not do embroidery, but I would think that is a feature you will be glad that you have.

When I feel like I just can't figure out how to do a new thing, I take a deep breath and look around at all the people who can do it. Then I ask myself, "Are all those people smarter than you are?" They can't ALL be smarter than me, so I start trying the new thing again. In the end I always figure it out.

I'm sure you can do this. Just don't let it intimidate you. It's just another type of sewing machine with a few fancier buttons.

Don't you suppose the ladies who got the first treadle machines were a bit intimated, too? If they had not overcome their fears, and kept buying those new fangled machines, we'd all still be doing nothing but hand sewing.

Can you make a day trip to go to your dealer? My dealer (man that sounds bad) is an hour and 45 minutes away, but if I plan to head out there (and get there when she opens at 11) she will make/schedule/create a class for me and she is pretty incredible.

Other than that -- the manual is your best bet. (and the boards)

I just bought a new machine, and then a month later an embroidery machine -- I'm using up some scraps learning how to use the special features on both! trial and error, and lots of scraps and random extra thread

You will NEVER believe this! I finally got the courage to try, thanks to you all, and I got it all out and tried to calibrate the embroidery module and it wouldn't respond so I called and the dealer tried to talk me through it and that didn't work so I had my husband take "us" in and the dealer said that something is wrong with my machine and I had to leave it. What luck! Anyway--- there you go--- my progress --- zero.
:? :?

Not true! You made lots of progress, you got it out and found out it's sick. And you had the courage to try to work it out and then made arrangments to take care of the problem. I call that progess! Way to go!

Hey, You've tackled the hardest part, getting started! Hope it comes home from the "hospital" soon and works great.

I agree you are past the "hard" part ... you took that deep breath and tackled it head on... you conquered your fears :thumbup: Hope the shop gets your baby fixed quickly :lol: And when you go pick her up ask for some guidance before you leave

So, you had to leave it at the dealer. Better than in the closet!!!! For sure! I am thinking you are WAY ahead of the curve. Trust me, you are gonna LOVE that front load bobbin!!!!

But your progress is that you approached it, had it diagnosed, and you're getting it fixed.

By this point, you'll be a pro at working it when it's "healthy!"

I know how you feel 'cause I felt the same way when I had my Bernina. Jump in and start playing and it will get easier.

Getting the machine fixed is a pain in the patootey but it explains why you were having so many problems. When it gets home, you'll be able to get going with it!

My reply to the Quilt Cut 2 post is like what you did with your machine. I couldn't get accurate cuts, got frustrated and didn't use it. I finally talked to a vendor and we discovered that my size guide wasn't right. She is sending me a new one. If I hadn't decided to voice my frustration the system would still be unused and a big waste. All this time I thought it was me that was the problem. :? :?

Glad to hear you tackled it and found out IT had the problem. I took a class on a Gammil long arm last week and it has the front load bobbin. It's such an advantage. I bet you'll find the same on your new Bernina. Have lots and lots of fun!!
DI

PS ~ How about naming her April?

You got a great machine. I have the 630 with BSR and Embroidery. I did not touch the Embroidery stuff for about a year until I could get a class and learn how to use it. Come to think of it, I waited on the BSR until I could take a class too.

I like the front load bobbin, you can change it out with a quilt on the top of the machine, and it's easier to pop out.

Momwood, I understand your frustration. I also bought a new Bernina 440 and have been struggling with it. I took a couple of simple classes and I am not having much luck with all the features. Everyone tells me that It will come just keep playing with it. I would love to have the information for the Yahoo bernina group. Thanks, Karole

Check to see if your dealer will give you private classes - that's what I did. I bought the Bernina 440 - with the BSR and the embroidery package. I love that machine but I also know I don't use it to its full potential - yet. I'd suggest you take it out of the closet and use it for piecing so you get used to it. You might be able to find some tutorials on the Bernina website that will help. Another thought - if you belong to a guild maybe one of the members is a Bernina user who would be willing to help you get started.

Karole,you can do it. I felt like I had made a big mistake buying my 440. I couldnt seem to get comforable with it. Just kept trying and now a year later I love it. I still get out my manuel and find out things about it I didn't know about. Pm me if I can help I will. I don't have the embroidery module tho.

I have a 640 also. Bernina has classes on mastering your machine. With these classes they have a guide book. Call the dealer and ask for a copy. It takes you through several projects.
I was told to sit down and read the book over and over, then go back and highlight info. As for embroidery it takes practice. For me it has been live and learn.
If I can help in any other way PM me. I don't claim to know a lot, but will give it a try.

Can you ask the dealer if they know any customers close to you that may be willing to help teach you how to use it and become comfortable with it? Or maybe a local quilt guild has a member to help. I'm sorry you can't take the lessons from where you bought it, as my dealer offers unlimited lessons. I can take the same class as many times as I want to. I hope you do give it a try though. I had a problem learning the front load bobbin also, but now it's cinch. Just takes practice.

I had trouble with my 830 when I bought it last year. I thought it was me, but it was the machine and mine had to be sent off. (Don't you hate that when it's brand new - especially with the travel time to and from the dealer?) It works like a charm now and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I felt this way when I got my new Bernina, and even worse when I got the embroidery module. The only thing that helped was taking some classes. It's a long way, I know, but you may need to bite the bullet and do it. Is there anyone in your area who might offer private lessons? Someone who has your machine? That might be a way to go too. I only needed one class to get me going. Maybe that's all you'll need.

YouTube has Plenty of video instructions. Go there and type in your machine in the search! Just play around with it. You cna't hurt it! My dealer had me play around with mine for two weeks, just to get used to my machine. I don't have one as nice as yours ( Bernina Activa 230 PE I just purchased mine last month and I love it! I used to own a Whites Jeans machine and boy, What a difference! After getting acquainted with my new machine ( and getting over the heart problem over the cost) I am so glad I have it! I am discovering something new everyday! That, to me is the fun Part!
If you cannot go to your dealer, will he come to you or at least talk you through it over the phone? Give it a try! ?He may know someone close to you who would be willing to come over.

Don't give up! I have the 180, 150, 430 and 730E and love them all. Must say I was lucky to go to classes, but you can do it. Make yourself a number of 12" square muslin sandwiches. Pratice different stitches, techniques on each. Write on each piece what you did. Keep them for reference and refer back often. Soon everything will fall into place. Olivia

Can't help you but I have a Janome 6500 that has the capability of winding bobbins while sewing and in the 4 yrs that I have had it, I still take the time to wind bobbins while I am not sewing. Always afraid the threads are going to tangle into each other and would rather watch the bobbin fill.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Great Idea Olivia!