|
Sewing machine - buyers remorse?
Hi-
Has anyone here ever regretted buying one of the higher end sewing machines out there? Like a Bernina or Viking that is $5k or more? I am just curious because I am thinking about buying a high end machine, but ya know, part of me is saying, why?? Thanks, JC |
I got a Brother $4000 minus some off for being on sell. I'm sorry I didn't get a higher end one that did more.
|
I don't have those brands ... though did buy a Janome that to me was high end and at the time of purchase I had some guilty thoughts. Once I started using it ... I've never had any regrets. NOT AT ALL!!! Love it!
The important thing is to do youre research and know what you are buying. I am a firm believer of buying well ... a little above my current needs, and what I anticipate they will be. It gives some room for growth with less of a need to want to upgrade soon after. Determine your "needs" list and your "dream" list. Then go shopping and be sure to test drive any of the machines you are considering. There's lots of good spec lists on the web so that you can compare what the differences are between models. When I bought my last machine, I thought the machine I was looking at was what I wanted ... and asked the dealer to show me the one above, and what the key differences were. Once I heard those, I knew that the upgrade machine was certainly more to my needs than the initial one I was looking at ... yes, as I said a little guilt at the time ... since then, I have been SO SO happy, and probably have done far more sewing because I absolutely love the machine! |
I spent a smidge over $10,000 for a long arm and never looked back...I love it! And I also have some fairly expensive DSM's as well...what the heck, I'm worth it!
|
I have a Viking SE that I bought when it was the high end machine...I still use it and love it. I do regret that I spent so much because I didn't really enjoy the embroidery part of it...so I feel I have wasted that. Looked into selling it and getting something better for quilting, but when I tried the new machines today...wasn't impressed...keeping mine and glad I have it.
|
Yes, I bought the Janome 11000 in December 2010 and actually just sold it. I decided pretty quickly after buying it that it was too much for me and I wanted to sell it back but the dealer wasn't interested. I paid $5000 for it and recovered about half the cost for a machine that hadn't been used much. So make really sure you want the machine and you're not going to regret it. :)
|
I have two Vikings. One is a Quilt Designer II, the other is a Designer SE. I bout the Designer II first, and I found out rather quickly that the add-ons were going to cost more than I would have spent to just buy the SE in the first place. I love my SE. It's great for embroidery and sewing. But my Designer II has more room under the arm for quilting. I love them both, really.
I've gotten used to the needle threader and automatic lowering of the presser foot. So, it's tough going back to a machine that's not so computerized. I end up wondering where the lever is for the presser foot, or if it has one. |
If you are unsure, try buying one used so you don't have as much invested in it.
|
I've never regretted buying my Bernina 10 years ago. I have never had a problem
with it and it sews the perfect stitch. Bernina ia a perfect example of 'you get what you pay for'. |
No regrets here. You need to purchase what you are comfortable with. Do your homework and know what features you are looking for. Too many times we buy less than what we want due to cost, and regret later regret it.
|
No I love mine, however I wish I had waited a few more months to get the newer model with more stitches, but mine is still a fun machine and I love her. I agree with researchinging to really get a machine that is right for you, you don't want to spend thousands and only use the machine for stuff you can do on a lower end. I think thats most that do research and don't impulse buy don't have any regret.
|
I have a Viking 550 (Lily) that I bought about 12 years ago. Never had a problem with it and it does all I will ever need. At the time I got it, another lady had purchased it about 4 months before and then decided that she wanted the newer one with the embrodiery. The dealer took it in as a trade and I got it for $ 1600. At the time it was originally sold it was about $2500. Glad I got it back then as I sure couldn't afford the newer ones now!!
|
My only regret was that it was a budget crunch for a while, but that really had nothing to do with the machine. We had some unexpected expenses in other areas of our life soon after purchase of the machine, but I would do it all again as I love my machine.
|
I love mine, but do your homework! The dealer should let you play on one of their machines first. Bring your own fabric, and/or mini project, or something that is similar to the usual sewing tasks you do. Another route may be to get a trade-in from the dealer. My dealer offers free classes and a warranty on used machines.
|
i have a viking 350, about 14 years old. I love this machine....but, right now i have a bernina 450 on layaway. it was a classroom machine at my LQS and so am getting it at a reasonable price. I'm still paying it off, so i will let you know in a few months how i like it (when it arrives here!). At this point in my life (Katie a senior in high school and going away to college, nate in fourth grade), I cannot justify a $5K or more machine. I'm very happy that my husband supports the idea of the bernina!
My advice to you would be to go to different dealers and try the machines you think you are interested in. bring your own fabric...for example, if all you do is quilt-bring fabric and some small quilt sandwhiches. if you also sew clothing (like i am attempting to do), bring examples of the type of fabric that you sew with. and test on your fabric samples. heck, i even labelled them so i could then line them all up and compare. Bernina won hands down for me. |
I have a Babylock Quilter's choice and when you remove the extension table, the shape of the machine is not rectangular which means you need a specialized cutout for a quilting table. That is something that I have found annoying. The plug is not great and I have problems with lowering and raising the feed dogs. My machine was $1000 when I bought it new. Other than these few glitches, it has been great.
|
I bought a combo sewing/embroidery Brother Innovis 4000D for $5,000. What I regretted is I NEVER used the sewing machine, not once, and it was a really high end machine too. I used it exclusively for embroidering and I used it a LOT. I had it for 4 years and upgraded to a 6 needle machine. I sold it recently and I have to admit, I do miss seeing it on it's perch in my sewing room when I go in there but the person who bought it uses it both for sewing and embroidering and that makes me feel better.
|
I have a Bernina 640 and haven't regretted it for a minute. (I didn't buy the embroidery unit) It has some pretty neat tricks that make quilting faster... like the foot pedal. Tap the foot pedal with your toes once and it will stitch once. Rock the pedal back on the heel and the needle will go up or down, depending on what you have your needle set to do. I use needle-up while sewing but when I reach a corner I like the needle down to pivot. All I have to do is rock the pedal back, needle goes down and I don't have to move my hands at all. I don't need to move my hands to the flywheel, I can 'tap' and keep going. The knee-lift, I think they call it hands-free sewing, I wouldn't give up if my life depended on it. I love it!
http://quiltdasher.blogspot.com/ |
I bought the Bernina 440QE and love that machine. However I do regret buying the embroidery module, because I don't use it.
|
Really do a lot of research and make sure the one you are buying is the one you want I always see something after buying almost anything that i wish it had I can't afford the high end but did buy the singer futura SE 2000 last year right after they came out with one that had a much bigger hoop wish i had waited just a bit longer.............AH BUT someday ???
|
Originally Posted by dunster
(Post 5103496)
I bought the Bernina 440QE and love that machine. However I do regret buying the embroidery module, because I don't use it.
Same here.....I just need to find someone who can do a one on one with me quite a few times...but other than that I love the machine |
Originally Posted by Treasureit
(Post 5103242)
I have a Viking SE that I bought when it was the high end machine...I still use it and love it. I do regret that I spent so much because I didn't really enjoy the embroidery part of it...so I feel I have wasted that.
I have the same machine and don't really use the embroidary either. If I had to do it over again, I might not have gotten it but since we can't time travel yet...I still enjoy my SE . There are a lot of features that I jabsolutely love. Another thing you may want to look at is the cost for servicing/cleaning. If I would have known how much it would cost for service-I'm used to cleaning and oiling my old machine and only taking it in when I had a problem. See if you can play with the different brands and get a feel for the bells and whistles. The high end machine will be the clearance one in a year or 2. Find a dealer you like, play with the machines. Keep an eye out on Craigslist, I've seen some pretty high end machines for sale recently. |
My Mom bought a very high end Viking 6 months ago, and if the truth be really told , it more machine than she needs or is comfortable with. I think if I asked her .. if you could have all of your money back she would say yes. Its not a bad machine , its fabulous .. just way more than she needs. All those bells and whistles get her a bit confused sometimes... and I think she just wishes it simple straight forward like the older mechanical machines. She does have a computerized machine prior to this one, but this one has the embroidery and its a whole new learning curve.
|
I bought a Bernina Artista 200 as soon as it was for sale. As a new machine, it had problems; but eventually, with upgrades, the problems were solved and although the machine is well over ten years old, it sews like a dream. At the time, the machine seemed very expensive; but it has been worth every cent. I love that machine!
|
I bought a Janome 11000SE for $5000 about three years ago. I love it and use it almost every day. The only thing I didn't figure on is how much money I spend on embroidery supplies and equipment (software, upgrades, extra hoops, threads, etc.) Sewing/quilting is not a cheap hobby:-)
|
No regreats here. I really love my Viking Diamond, I guess it depends on what you need in a sewing machine.
|
I splurged about 4 years ago and bought the Brother Duetta for Machine Embroidery...I thought I would never want their Quattro. I also came across a Pfaff CV 5.0...and I was told that this was "the machine"...
I would buy another Duetta, never buy another Pfaff and probably not buy a Quattro. I don't use all the features, but they are nice to have...if you use them. I mainly piece, quilt and machine embroider. I don't do zippers, hems nor special stitches. Wish they could do a machine for that! Kirsten |
I also purchased the 10001 Janome. and love it. Use it every day and emb a lot. I also have the 9000 Janome which I purchased 15 yrs ago and it is still going strong. but everyeone has different idea on what they want or will use. Try several out and make sure you have a dealer who will be a big help in case something goes wrong.
|
I bought the Pfaff CV and have regretted it ever since. I have had it 3 years and probably don't even have 8 hours sewing time on it. I have been trying to sell it for the past year.
|
I have never regretted my Bernina 440 that I bought as a demo. However, a friend got an 820 and has had real mechanical issues with it. She just got it back from the dealer(took forever) and now is going to sell it. Dont buy any machine that does not come with a local dealer and technician.
|
Originally Posted by QuiltE
(Post 5103203)
I don't have those brands ... though did buy a Janome that to me was high end and at the time of purchase I had some guilty thoughts. Once I started using it ... I've never had any regrets. NOT AT ALL!!! Love it!
The important thing is to do youre research and know what you are buying. I am a firm believer of buying well ... a little above my current needs, and what I anticipate they will be. It gives some room for growth with less of a need to want to upgrade soon after. Determine your "needs" list and your "dream" list. Then go shopping and be sure to test drive any of the machines you are considering. There's lots of good spec lists on the web so that you can compare what the differences are between models. When I bought my last machine, I thought the machine I was looking at was what I wanted ... and asked the dealer to show me the one above, and what the key differences were. Once I heard those, I knew that the upgrade machine was certainly more to my needs than the initial one I was looking at ... yes, as I said a little guilt at the time ... since then, I have been SO SO happy, and probably have done far more sewing because I absolutely love the machine! |
I don't think I will do it again. I will buy a separate unit for each job. The high end machines are $8,000.00-$13000.00 here, and that's not counting the extras one is not supplied with for that price. I bought one which was troubled from the start. I did not get good support and so now I just have two cheaper and better ones from a different company. Will never touch anything from the other group again. Hope you have better luck than my experience.
|
I started out 30 some years ago with a White, which at the time was a nice machine and I still have it and use it. Then purchased a simple singer 20 years ago, still have it, still use it...from there to a Bernette Bernina and also picked up a Brother embroidery machine so I could get the feel of doing embroidery work as well. I am still using these also. Now I'm saving up and hoping to purchase a new Bernina as well as a long arm sometime this year. I'm so excited and hope you find the machine that will work for you. I think going this route has paid off for me. I have had no regrets and also been able to try out several different brands before taking the "big" plunge in to high end machine.
|
Never never never...life is short and I intend to enjoy every minute of it.
|
The new Bernina is really nice my Mother was looking at it & she was telling me all about it. I have owned several Janome machines right now have the 11000 but have been very disappointed.
|
Ditto Raggiemom on this topic. I bought a Babylock that was $2K, a lot of money for me, and I almost immediately hated it. It was too much machine, I was never going to use all the complicated memory functions and every time I wanted to do something I had to look it up. The bobbin didn't hold nearly as much thread as I wanted. It bugged me that it wasn't in a cabinet, I hated sewing using the extension table it came with. I ended up selling it and took a big hit but the person who bought it loves it, so there you go. I got a great old Bernina 1130 in a cabinet from a guy who was selling it in an estate sale. It has needle down, wonderful old Bernina feet and purrs like a kitten.
If you are going to spend big money I suggest that you ask your dealer for a loaner and use the machine for a week or two before you make up your mind. |
I purchased the new Bernina 830 about a year ago. I do not get to sew on it as often as I would like to, but when I do it is awesome. This is not my first Bernina so I was familiar with the brand, the quality, and the dealer where it was purchased.
mltquilt |
I have two high end Bernina machines and have never regretted it. They do anything you ask them to do. No whining, grumbling, or rumbling ever (from me or the machine).
|
I bought a Viking sewing and embroidery machine at least six years ago for $6000 and have never regreted it. Beautiful work and needs no repair so far.
|
I have two pfaffs, love them both, and i wouldnt buy any other brand. make sure you get what u want and that you will be happy with, test drive a few especially the one you want to buy. Good Luck
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:42 AM. |