I too have a keeper.
 

Long story short, I went to Ricky Timms & Alex Andersons seminar a year ago, and decided that if Ricky Timms could free motion with a narrow throat machine, I could too. I had never free motioned at all before. Well, last February, my hand me down Bernina 930, died. Really died, it locked up and could not be fixed. Repair man said that it looked as if it had been dropped at sometime. Wouldn't surprise me, knowing my mother. Any how, dear hubby, said you need a new machine, well, yes I did, (din't I) didn't want anything fancy. We were at the Bernina shop, and he got me a new Bernina 1008, same fuctions as the old 930. It only has a 6 inch throat. Very difficult to free motion on. However, I did just finish a near queen size on it, not the best job, but I am proud of it. Told him I was going to look for a used machine. Well I went to look, and no used machines with a deep throat. Long story, I came home with a new Janome Horizon 8200, with a 12 inch throat. You know what I am going to do this weekend. Play with my new toy. I am so happy. I know I will get better with free motion.

Good for you! Hope you have many happy hours of sewing on your new machine.

Congratulations. Enjoy your new machine.

I got the 8200 six months ago for my 50th birthday, and I Love, love , love it! FMQing is an absolute DREAM on it! I can't say enough good about this machine. The throat space, ease of use, quiet and beautiful stitches, all those feet on board, I love it all. Haven't used the knee left yet but I feel the urge coming on for the next quilt! Congrats!

Wow! Congrats and have fun!

Watson

Very nice. Enjoy!

I have quilted on my Bernina 1020 and 1530 for almost 25 years. I never had a problem because I had great support for the quilt behind the machine and to my left. Start planing your quilting working from the center out unrolling the right side of the quilt as you go. You just have to find out what works best for you. I was very lucky to have won the awards I did with my quilts that I had a 6" throat.

Congrats! Yep you have a keeper.

A new machine is fun!

So glad you were able to get new machine with large, deep throat. You will have fun quilting on it.

What a great hubby! now keep this machine away from your mother. lol

good for you, so happy !!! My grandpa always said, the right tool for the right job. You go girl.

I believe your quilting life has just changed immensely.

That's what happened to me in 2010 when I went from a Pfaff Hobby machine with about a 6" throat to a Janome 7700 with that same size throat. It's never been the same since. You will love it. It is soo much easier to quilt when you have space!

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy... I wish you many many happy hours playing with your new machine!

Hugs

Caroline

P.S. He is a keeper

I love learning to use a new machine. I have two 9" throat machines I use all the time.

congrats on your new machine... enjoy

How wonderful - Congrats!

Oh you lucky girl!

I went to that seminar when it was in Modesto, California and really enjoyed it. My splurge was a bunch of his dyed fabric. It is so luscious.

I'm sure you will enjoy the extra throat space on your new machine... it makes a world of difference. Congrats and have fun learning all the components of your new toy.

Start using the knee lift. Have been using one for years and it makes sewing so much easier. If I don't have the lift attached to the machine my knee keeps going for it. You will wonder how you sewed without it once you are in the habit of using it.

Congratulations, it's great when our honeys appreciate the talent and passion we have for our sewing. Have fun with it.

Enjoy your new machine!

Absolutely agree with Fastpedal - once you get used to the knee lift, you'll wonder how you got along without it.

I loved my old Bernina 830, but have been enjoying my Janome 6600 for a few years now. It is a relief to have a larger throat. Hope you enjoy your marvelous new workhorse/friend!

Congratulations on your new "toy". I'm sure you are going to have fun playing this weekend. I once did a king size quilt on my Kenmore with a somewhat small throat. It was only the second quilt I machine quilted, but I did it, learned a lot; then shortly after that, I was sewing something else and saw smoke coming out of my machine - I had literally burned out my machine, which I'd had for many years. Just so you know, you can machine quilt with a smaller throat, but it won't compare to your new "toy". I'm very happy for you, go and have lots of fun hours playing.

Enjoy your new machine!

Congratulations both on the new machine and getting a start on free motion quilting!!! I've been having fun trying new things with it for 4 years now. I too started with a small harp (5") & now have an 11" harp which is much easier. Have fun with your new machine!! :):thumbup:

Congratulations on your new machine! I just read a review, sounds wonderful, and is a very nice-looking machine. Love all the feet that come with it, that's a big plus. Have fun!