jograma

I say buy the most expensive you can afford then learn to use all the features. You can never have too many if you are a serious quilter and garment maker. I bought a Bernina 3 years ago and love it. I don't use all the features yet but my dealer helps me with whatever I want to learn. She is the best!

soleegirl

only for a day or so... they are well worth it . I and my friends who are not sewwers or quilters thought i was crazy when i paid $5000. for my Bernina 440 with the Embroidery Module.... They thought i was even more crazy when I two years later bought the 820 for over $7000. They are very much worth the $$$

purplefiend

I bought a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 875. Since I work for the company, I had to learn to use all the machines that we sold in the store. After learning the machines, I fell in love with the Sapphire series. I'm a quilter and a garment sewist, so all the nice features are wonderful; especially the 10" throat space is great for machine quilting. I don't use
all of the features, but they are nice to have when I want them. It took a while to get used to no presser foot lifter and the auto up/down of the foot. I've had my machine 3 years.

sammygirlqt

It is nice to read all the postive comments on purchasing high end sewing machines. I am on my second high end Bernina and love both machines. I truly believe you get what you pay for. The high end machines all are higher quality machines thus providing better service for many years. So I say, buy the best you can afford.

Jackie Spencer

I bought my Bernina just before I retired. I knew once I retired I wouldn't be able to afford one. I am so glad I did. That was 3 years ago and I love it.

kacklebird

I have a Designer SE and it was a pretty penny, but I was working then. I feel it's worth it to invest in a good machine. I also have a Bernina that I got for Christmas, but have only used it for a whopping 10 min. You can get awesome deals on ebay for used ones. You just won't get a warranty, but you'll only pay probably half or not much over it. If it were me I would have bought used if I had to do it over again. I have to say the computerized machine such as my Designer SE is awesome. Never jams, never need to make adjustments to the pressure foot, etc. My mom bought a Designer 1 on ebay and it's an awesome machine too. Anyway, good luck with your purchase

golfer

I have a Viking Designer 1 (used) and asked the Viking salepeople recently if I could not afford the most expensive one which Viking should I buy and she said the Ruby. What is interesting is that you don't know what companies own what now. Janome was recently bought by another sewing machine company.

Christine-

When buying used machines it's important to check reviews on the model you're interested in. For example, one of the Viking Designer models didn't have a cooling fan for the motherboard, and I recall reading on the chat groups that those who used their embroidery unit a great deal had problems with the motherboard burning out. I wish I could remember which model it was, maybe someone can help with this? I am not familiar with those who used the Designer for sewing only, at the time I was reading the machine embroidery chat lists.

kacklebird

I've had 2 Viking Designer machines and so does my mother, cousin, aunt, etc and none of us have ever had a problem with our mother boards. I've never heard of that happening, but I guess something can go wrong with any model no matter what the brand of the machine. I've been very happy with my Viking machines, but since they're now being made in China I'd have second thoughts before buying one that was made there. Thankfully, none of mine were made there as it happened a couple of years after I bought my Designer SE. Viking said they're just being assembled in China and the parts are still being made in Sweden.

Wanabee Quiltin

I found a Bernina that was a floor model but cost about $4000. I went on eBay and bought the exact model for $1400. I had used this machine in a class so I knew what I wanted. Never been in a shop in 6 years. Check out the machine first and make sure it has all the features you like. I wish mine had the auto thread cutter. No regrets for my Bernina, one of the best made.