Time to buy new machine?
 

I have a BabyLock Quest Model BLQ2 that I bought SEVERAL years ago. It cannot accomodate a circular foot or a roller leather foot which I would love to use since I am terrible at free motion. I'm not unhappy with it, per se, but I would love to be able to use the specialty feet. I do bed quilts, art quilts, and little stuffies for babies, but do not really make any money at it. I just like the creativity and give most of my stuff away!

I test drove a Bernina 710 today; they will go on sale Friday at my closest dealer. From what I see on the internet, the price is great. The 750, is about $900 more but would be able to embroidery if I choose to buy the stuff later. Which I have toyed with the idea before but have heard not to buy a combo machine AND I don't know if I can justify the $$ for something I might do later.

Does anyone have the 710 or 750? Thoughts, ladies and gents?
Thanks in advance for all thoughts and "reviews."

I would look at it this way: Regarding the $900 for future embroidery; WHEN you buy the stuff for the embroidery, backing, thread, etc. then your first project cost you $900 and some change, your second project cost you $450, your third project was $300, etc. So how many projects do you have to do to get to a price that you feel you would PAY that much for at Dillards???? Of course it IS a hobby. Do you think you will fall in love with embroidery??? Some people do. *

Good luck with your decision!!

Before you jump into the world of Bernina, check out the Brother DreamWeaver which is in the same price range. The accessories for the Bernina are not cheap. For example, the binding system is $300 per size (generic version is available on Ebay for $26 for a set of 3. Unfortunately Bernina dealers have been know to tell people that using the generic version voids the warranty). The Bernina feet are proprietary and are pricy. Many of the Brother accessories are generic and easily available on line. Brother/Babylock machines are very user friendly. You are spending a lot of money for something that will be part of your life for a long time. Please do your research.

I agree shop around before you buy.

I agree, I absolutely love my combo, yes you can't sew while embroidering, but if you keep your quest as back up you don't have to worry about that. The dreamweaver is such an amazing machine. test it out. Very user friendly especially in the embroidery department as compared to bernina.

I will keep looking; good advise so far.
What I saw in the Brother machines, the throat space was very small compared to the Bernina 710. I really like the space when I have big quilts.

I looked at the DreamWeaver and believe the throat is over 11 inches.

I test sewed on the Dreamweaver and the Bernina 700. You can get either with or without embroidery. I liked them both. I'd go with the best deal.

The Bernina really has a LOT of things I would like; side stitching, big throat space, the ability to use the special feet I'd like...
Are they really that expensive to use (after the initial cost, of course!)?

I've also looked at the Brother V series, but I can't find out if they can accomodate the Bernina foot #55 (leather roller foot). It will accomodate the circular foot so could I assume the other would work also? (I'll have to check the dealer.)

Is the Bernina that expensive to use or just the cost of "extras" such as bobbins?

If you have the Bernina 710 or 750 or one of the Brother V series, please let me know what you think!

Love my Bernina 640. So I can't see why you wouldn't like the model you are looking at. Does the dealer have a good reputation.? Do they do repairs at the store or have to send them somewhere?