VERY user friendly machine
05-23-2013, 08:01 AM
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 1,552
Originally Posted by newdoda
Hi, I know (or at least hope) that I will get a lot of opinions, however, that is what I am looking for. Currently I own a Bernina 640 but I am not finding it very user friendly. It might be because I am a slow learner or that I never got my classes but for whatever reason I'm not sure that it is the machine for me. I had the opportunity to watch a friend using her Viking Diamond and everything about it seemed like a breeze. My question is: what machine is recommend for someone who is not THAT experienced and is mostly self taught with just a few classes under her belt. Really want to progress in skill level and number of quilts made. Thanks for any and all feedback.
05-23-2013, 08:10 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,116
I find that the machines are basically similar in operation, and if you actually get practice by using them, it becomes second nature and you don't need lessons. You can't learn to sew if the machine sits in the cupboard most of the time. Play around with the machine and some practice sandwiches.
05-23-2013, 08:44 AM
#33
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern California & New Mexico
Posts: 153
I had a terrific Bernina dealer (now retired) but I never knew about those Workbooks before. I have two wonderful "retired" Berninas (130 & 153QE) that almost seem like an extension of my arms after all this time but I just downloaded the workbook for them and know I'll learn something new that I can try. Thank you for the link!
05-23-2013, 08:50 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Western PA
Posts: 1,459
Originally Posted by Skyangel
Can you go back and take your classes? I have Bernina 440 and The classes made a TON of difference to me becoming comfortable with my machine. They are included in the cost of your machine and the dealer OWES them to you.
I bought my machine used, 1 year old, and it was shipped accross country to me. My local dealer has an "adoption" program if you did ot purchase from her. I paid to take the classes but it was worth every penny. If you do not live near the dealer you bought from (if you bought it new), perhaps the closest dealer to you would let you pay to take the classes from them. Berninas are great machines and I feel bad that you haven't been able to bond with yours. At the very least, download the My Bernina workbook and do the practice exercises.
http://www.keizerbernina.com/my-bernina-workbooks.htm
I bought my machine used, 1 year old, and it was shipped accross country to me. My local dealer has an "adoption" program if you did ot purchase from her. I paid to take the classes but it was worth every penny. If you do not live near the dealer you bought from (if you bought it new), perhaps the closest dealer to you would let you pay to take the classes from them. Berninas are great machines and I feel bad that you haven't been able to bond with yours. At the very least, download the My Bernina workbook and do the practice exercises.
http://www.keizerbernina.com/my-bernina-workbooks.htm
05-23-2013, 09:02 AM
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,148
IMHO progressing in skill level does not have much to do with your macine. But rather in the increase skill of the quilter when it comes to cutting, patterns, and peicing. A "easy" machine will not keep your seams even or cut the blocks correctly. I would suggest that you take beginner quilting lessons from your LQS if you want to improve your skill quickly. Any machine can be a struggle if the user is not struggling with the quilting process.
05-23-2013, 02:16 PM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MO
Posts: 1,057
Originally Posted by Candace
Go back and get your classes!
05-23-2013, 02:45 PM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Originally Posted by JudeWill
I have a question. What did your classes consist of? I bought a Bernina 730 & the classes consisted mostly of her showing me what the machine would do, not actually doing anything. I took notes, but I don't feel that was very helpful.
05-23-2013, 02:46 PM
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Prosper, Texas
Posts: 157
Originally Posted by newdoda
Hi, I know (or at least hope) that I will get a lot of opinions, however, that is what I am looking for. Currently I own a Bernina 640 but I am not finding it very user friendly. It might be because I am a slow learner or that I never got my classes but for whatever reason I'm not sure that it is the machine for me. I had the opportunity to watch a friend using her Viking Diamond and everything about it seemed like a breeze. My question is: what machine is recommend for someone who is not THAT experienced and is mostly self taught with just a few classes under her belt. Really want to progress in skill level and number of quilts made. Thanks for any and all feedback.
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