I am looking for a new machine that i can quilt with... I have checked on several and want to see the new Bernina 830 that is to be available Nov. 17,2008....Has anyone any suggestions( for or against). Any experience with other Bernina machines.... :roll: Granny 8

I have two singers that work just fine for quilting. Perhaps a vintage singer, 20+ yrs old? Mine a 8606 is hard to thread but is awesome.
Stay away from brother.

I'm not familiar w/the Berninas other then just looking them over before. I did search for you and here are some opinions. Don't know if this helps you or not, but, you can go to: http://forums.marthapullen.com/read....28012&t=228012

go to: http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Arch.../msg00495.html

Here's a sewing machine reviewer at: http://www.sewingmachinereviewer.com/bernina-830.html (great site if you want to look up your machine here too)

There are many more out there. I searched 'opinions of the Bernina 830' and that is how I found the above sites. Keep us posted on your homework. What did I learn??That first site is one to go back and check out:))Skeat who hasand loves the Janome 6600...the 10,000 is the embrod. machine in that line

I have a Bernina 630e and I love my machine. I bought it used on E-bay about 19 mos ago. Sometimes I wish that I could have gotten a 730e with the 9 mm stitch but have been told by lots that if I do mostly quilting that the 630 is better. (this is because it is easier to do a 1/4 in seam on the regular size feed dogs) I have not checked out the new 830. I don't want to start drooling over something that I can't have. There is no way DH will let me get another machine. Though, he says in a couple of years we can think about a mid-arm quilter.....

Anyway, I am still learning to use my Embroidery Unit and the software. So far I have only used it to make quilt labels.

I looked at a Janome 6600P but decided I wanted my machine to do more. Hope you have fun researching machines.!!!

Thanks so much for your input...glad to hear you are happy with your bernina.. am glad i came here for some experienced comments. Thanks again....

Thanks for the research you just did for me...I will check each of the sites out. Will let you all know later.....thanks again

i also have a Singer and wouldn't put it away for anything....But i want a machine that i can do some other things with especially quilting. I think i have the fever bad..I think it would take me too long to finish a quilt by hand i tend to want things done yesterday......thanks again....

I love love love my Bernina. My first one (1090) I gave to my daughter when I upgraded to the 440. I wanted the stitch regulator. I haven't used it as much as I thought I would but I haven't taken the time to practice either. I think I have been spending too much time on the computer.

I have a Janome embroidery machine so I didn't want that feature in my Bernina. I am very glad I have 2 separate machines for the different tasks because I will set the embroidery machine off then quilt on my Bernina while it runs.

I am so glad we spent the money. It is well worth the quality. I love the needle threader, needle down, knee lifter all the stitches. I just love it.

Janome all the way! all the models work exquisitely and offer many different options and price ranges. I have an 8 yr old 4800 that has never failed me.

One of the most important things for me when I got a new machine a year or so ago was the extra throat space so I could machine quilt. I have the Janome 6600 and it has 9 1/2 inches of throat space and I love it. I took a class on FMQ yesterday and used the feature of not using the pedal and it made a huge diffence in my FMQ stitches as it was one less thing I had to worry about and control.

I guess you need to decide how much you can spend and what features you would like in a machine and then narrow it down from there. I looked (just now) at the Bernina you mentioned and could not tell how big the throat space is and for quilting that is really important to me but may not be to you! I hope you find exactly what you want, happy shopping. :-)

I enjoy my Brother 8500D and the Duetta as well.
Don't think I would quilt aqueen or king size but works fine for others.
Kirsten

I'd go take the ones you are interested in for a test drive. Prices on machines vary so much. I was more interested in the service/warranty. I, too, went to drool over the Bernina 830. I ended up walking away with a 730e . If you are willing to look at used machines, they can be a good deal too.

That said, I just convinced my dad to get my mom a Brother CS 6000i for quilting. Comes w/ the necessary feet and for a beginner who may/may not stick with quilting, $130 seemed reasonable (although she WAS floored by the Berninas :wink: ) My mom is NOT into technology AT ALL and I think they scared her.

I have two Bernina sewing machines and I love them both!!! One is a 200E and the other is the Aurora 440QE. I previously had a 180 and it was a super machine (sold it to get the 200E).

The new 830's are awesome -- and VERY pricey. If I could afford one, I'd buy it!!!!

Let us know what you decide!

Hi.

I am a Bernina person all of the way. I have two sewing machines a 1260 and a 1530. I also have a Bernina serger and a Deco 650 which is an embroidery machine. Both of my sewing machines are the older models from the 90's. I bought the first one the 1260, when I worked for a dealer and used the machines everyday in the shop. I got a wonderful discount on it but it still cost me $1800. I purchased the 1530 from another dealer it was a trade in. I got it for $450 which was at least 1/4 of it's original price. My Deco 650 was a great deal when they came out with a new model. They even gave me a decent trade in on my previous model a Deco 500. I recently traded in my serger for a newer model when I broke one of the loopers. For a couple of hundred more than the repairs would have cost me I got a better machine that is easier to thread. I use all of my machines on a regular basis. I also own a Singer featherweight that I picked up for a song at a yard sale. I have been sewing, serging, emboridering or quilting at least three days a week for the last 40 years or so. I love my Berninas. I have been lucky enough to be able to afford good machines. I learned to sew on a Singer featherweight that my mother purchased in 1936. My parents gave me a sewing machine as a gift when I graduated from high school. I purchased a little free arm Kenmore when I had my daughter. It served me well for at least 15 years. Over the years I have made everything from seat cushions to prom and bridesmaid dresses. My favorite thing is quilting. I am leaving on a 4 day quilt retreat thursday. I need to get going and get my stuff together. Good luck getting a machine.

I have the Baby Lock Quilters Choice which I bought 2 years ago. I absolutely love it. It sews by its self which is the greatest- I haven't tried it on a large quilt but it does what I need it too!

I have a Bernina 1090 and it has been around for many years andstill works good :thumbup: :thumbup:

Bernina all the way :D :D :D :wink: :wink: :wink:
I say buy a Bernina :!: :!: :!: :!:

Hello! I have a Bernina 430E and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I did LOTS of research before purchasing it a little over a year ago. The Bernina's are all Siwss made with metal parts. For me, that meant a LOT. I also got the stitch regulatro, which I HIGHLY recommend if you're thinking of doing your own quilting....you can stipple away, and your stiches remain the same! :) This was one of the features I was really looking for. I also went with the "E" version (embroidery model), which I wasn't sure that I wanted, but now that I've learned to use it...I love it too! Hope this helps.

I now have a BabyLock Quilter's Dream Series. I've had it 3 weeks! It's a dream to sew with. It seems to do everything but cook dinner, but then I have a husband who does that!

I originally had the BabyLock Quilter's Choice but wanted to upgrade. I'm very glad I did, my best friend bought my QC, she's sewn 4 quilt tops since she got it.

There's not a lot of information out there on them but they're worth the research. The accessories alone are somewhat daunting. I love the huge table that attaches to the machine, which makes sewing larges pieces much easier. The memory feature is wonderful as well.

just my .02 worth.

I have the Bernina 440QE with the stich regulator and the embroidery module my favorite is the stitch regulator works wonders for free motino quilting you can never go wrong with a Bernina have you looked at the 830
it is a big machine with a big price like 10,000 dollars on sale and it does not do much more than the 730 as far as I can tell but does have more room for a big quilt Good Luck with whatever you decide

Thanks to all for the response to my looking..... :shock: i can hardly wait until next week to take a look at the Bernina..will let you all know when the choice is made.,... thanks again..... :D

LOVE the Bernina's! When I was in a position to buy one, over ten years ago, a large part of my choice was simply the fact that I live near a Bernina shop run by a wonderful Mennonite family. The internet wasn't what it is now, so the ability to compare and shop via this amazing tool didn't really play into my decision.

Here's the REAL post-purchase Bernina story, and why I can't imagine I'd ever change brands. Our older DD's lovely cat, less than 10 lbs., while jumping from the windowsill to the floor went over my machine, which was sitting on a flat table. For whatever reason, his jump was not well executed and he landed on the table, skidding to a stop - but not before KNOCKING MY MACHINE ONTO THE FLOOR!!! The room is carpeted - but over a concrete slab. The machine landed with a crash.

It was early morning & I was on my way to work. I picked it up and walked away; I literally could not look to see what had been done. When I got home I decided I might as well inspect the damage.

There wasn't any. Bernina's are heavy, but they are made of metal (except the case, of course). Within six months or so of this event, I had the opportunity to be in a couple of LQS's, one that sells Pfaff and one that sells Janome, and also do repairs. In relaying this story to them, both said there is no way their machines would have survived - they are mostly plastic. One of them actually had a machine come in that had been dropped a few feet (I don't remember which brand it was); it was unsalvageable.

While I'm fairly sure I'll stick w/ the Bernina, I do lust over the newer ones with BSR. I don't see that happening for me though. Besides, we have several great longarm folks locally - and it's good for the economy if I send my tops to them to be done, right?

Hi there. Normally I am one of those people that just read and enjoy everyone else pictures.But I did have to put my 3cents worth in(inflation)
I saw someone say to stay away from Brothers. If you are talking about the bottom end ones sold in wally world I would say yes. But I have a QC 1000 and I love it. I was visiting my brother last Thanksgiving in VA and stopped in a sewing machine store. Checked out the QC1000 and loved it. I got a really good deal because they were running a special. The machine, a wheeled tote, and a serger for just over 2 grand. That was way at the very top of my budget but I had just come into a little money and was determined to treat myself. I have had NO trouble with this machine what so ever and use it almost everyday. However what ever machine you buy make sure there is a dealer near you. I have no Brother dealers near me and I can't drive too far. The nearest one is about an hour away and smack in the middle of the city of Atlanta.
A friend of mine in TX also bought one and is also pleased with hers.
I would love to have a Bernina but there is no way I can afford one that does all the things my Brother can do.
So I guess the bottom line is check out the machines YOU can afford. Try out the demo's the way you would be using them. And buy the one YOU fall in love with.