Rumor has it!
 

I heard from a reliable source that Bernina is coming out with a long arm machine next year. Has anyone else heard anything or have some inside information?

Yes they are coming out with one. I heard about it awhile ago so can't remember when it will be out.

Pat in MN

I just read that on the bernina news that they email me. 20 inch throat and 24 inch somthing. That will probably cost all our gold.

According to my Bernina dealer, they are testing it right now to take care of any "bugs" it may have. Bernina was to fly several customers over to Switzerland to do the testing. He had a cut sheet on it and showed it to me. It looks awesome! I think it's supposed to be released early 2014. Right now my SIL and I have a 750 and 780 respectively, and use them on a Bernina frame with Creative Touch Pad for Quiltmotion. We are seriously thinking of upgrading.

Color me wishtful. . .

But I have a decade of college tuitions for my kids looming.

Maybe someday.

Out of my budget. My friend paid $6500 for her Bernina embroidery machine 6 years ago.

There have been pictures of it on Facebook posted by dealers. Here is a thread with links. http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...e-t233673.html

The cost will probably be comparable to the best LA machines made now, so it shouldn't be a surprise to see the high price.

I believe they were showing it at the Houston Quilt Festival. I love my Bernina 1630, which I bought in 1994. After that, Berninas went up in price so much that I know it is the last one I will ever have.

Has there been any rumour of a Bernina sit-down model?

I get a newsletter (Alex Anderson & Ricky Timms) and there was (or maybe still is) a contest to win a Bernina long arm sit-down model ... so, yes, more than a rumor. Of course I entered the contest (1 entry per person), but I win nothing ... ever!

I entered the same contest. If I win I'll share! LOL

What model, please?
as I haven't found it

I don't know. The newsletter is called "The Quilt Show" and I always delete it when I've seen what I want to see. However, if I find the info., I will either PM you or I will add to this thread ... depending on if and when I come up with the info.

LOL, indeed! In fact, I would be almost as thrilled to see a member of this QB win it as I would be if I​ won it (almost!).

There are several sit-down longarm machines. They all look like the HandiQuilter Sweet 16. I know the Babylock Tiara is manufactured by HandiQuilter. The Bernina and Husqvarna Viking look like the Sweet 16; could be the same machine with a new name.

Yes Sharon100 .. Tiara is the HQS16, just rebranded.
Would you please give me a link to the Bernina?
Thanks!!!

I have yet to find a HQS16 styled Bernina.
Nor has my dealer, as I keep asking them ...

Thus why I am trying to track down info,
as quite often the USA has more info sooner, than we here north of the 49!

Hope you have a gazillion dollars. They are way out of my price range now. Thank heavens I bought my sewing maching and serger when I did.

I just got this week's issue of "The Quilt Show" and there is a contest winner ... HOWEVER, the prize is a Gammill Charm (sit-down), so it seems my faulty memory made an error and, rather than a Bernina sit-down long-arm prize, the contest I entered had the Gammill as prize. It's just one of those things that has fallen out of my brain and gotten lost; my apologies.

Weezie .... our brains are just overstuffed with so many quilting ideas, that some things just have to fall out!!! Some have been fretting at the price of a Bernina sit down, though I would think the Charm would have a charming price tag ........... and we might need a Charming Sugar Daddy to acquire! :)

:D I think you have it figured out!

:D Maybe Santa will comply? :D
I promise, I've been a reeeeeeeeeeeally good girl this year! :)

I would stay away from any new Bernina until it has been out for at least a year. Their new models are FULL of bugs. And I would stay away all together unless you live near a COMPETENT tech. And having attended training does NOT assure this, as there is no test for competency. Bernina company does not control or supervise dealer techs. Once they have your $$$$$ you are on your own.

After 8 months I finally got my 710 sewing properly, but I had to find a new tech, as the original one is useless, My previous 3 Berninas were wonderful, but I will never buy another one.

Consideration to the quality of afterservice and support available
are all part and party of the buying decision IMHO
.......... whether a sewing machine, a car, renovations, etc.

Yes, there will be bad Bernina techs but there are many great ones (I am SO lucky!)
Just as we can all share horror stories in other areas ... and have delightful ones to tell too.

It helps when there are 2 of you willing to invest in a quilting setup, meaning my sister-in-law and I. We're some of the lucky ones to have a great Bernina dealer/tech within 10 miles of where we live. They bend over backwards to make sure their customers are treated right. They are Mennonite and are very friendly, I even stop in just to talk to them.