Onebyone

I watched a demo of the features at the dealer. I thought who does all the sewing techniques to use that many options? It does amazing embroidery but it took the dealer a long time to program for one design using the new features and she knew what she was doing. After the first dozen steps I lost interest. Brother and Baby Lock has introduced new top of the line models too.

Peckish

I went machine shopping with a friend a few months back. I wasn't looking, just wanted to get out of the house and hang with her for a while. I was really disappointed in what we found. Every machine on display was HUGE, had embroidery modules, and was at least $10K. I started asking every shop if they carried any machines that did not come with embroidery modules and was told NOPE. Seriously???

Onebyone

. I see non embroidery models in each shop here. The shops biggest sales are in embroidery supplies especially Kimberbell products. About all the shops push embroidery machines because the supplies are big profit making.

sewingpup

I think you have to be serious embroidery person for the 990 which is quite amazing and quite expensive. It also is very big and heavy. But you can pair with your Iphone and screen acts like an ipad is my understanding. I was watching some of the you tubes and it is amazing and has laser stuff too but definitely not for beginners or people who want to simple machine to stitch on. yes, there are machines that don't come with embroidery. Of my three recently bought Bernina's, only one has embroidery (590). The 215 and the 475 don't. I use the 475 for my piecing and I love it with the 5.5 feed dogs, it is very easy to get a 1/4 inch seam with no fussing. If you don't want a fancy machine, look at the lower lines of machines. The 475 has enough of the bells and whistles like a needle threader, needle up/down, thread cutter, large bobbin, and knee lifter as well as I can use the BSR while quilting although that doesn't come with it.

LGJARN52

Took my two Janome's in for repair last week to a shop that specialized in Bernina's. One of the clerks there was working on a sample pattern of how to do leaves as a quilting pattern on some sort of stablizer....she tried to "hook me in" and showed me all sorts of samples that she had already done. The price was out of this world....told her that amount of money would make a good down payment on a new top of the line car that I would use more. These machines are probably great if you own a quilting business and can use the expense as a tax write off, but not for me. I'm more of a piecer than an actual quilter and simple quilting patterns work for what I do. Almost dread going back to pick up my machines when they are ready.

retired2pa

Over the years, I've had 2 embroidery machines and they were very user friendly. My first one was a combo machine and it was a Brother ULT2002D. Back then, I did a lot of embroidery work. My other embroidery machine was a Babylock Pathfinder. It made beautiful embroidery. The only Bernina machine I've ever had was a 440 but I was not impressed with it so I sold it. I've always felt Bernina's were way over priced for what you get. My new Brother BQ3100 has a lot of features I'm sure I'll never use but it is quiet and smooth to use and very user friendly. It also has a laser light built in that adjusts where you need it. To each their own It's sad that machines are getting so overpriced (like everything else). My favorite machine I've had for 14 years is my Brother Nouvelle 1500 straight stitch only machine. It's a workhorse and will sew over anything. I don't need fancy to make a quilt.

Onebyone

They are too big. Too much trouble to have to take in for a check up or repair. Dealer here recommends to save the box with the foam and transport them that way, not in the rolling tote. Now that is way too much trouble.

cashs_mom

I agree. That's WAY too much trouble. My Juki is my biggest machine and it's much smaller than the newer machines. I bought a Bernina 475 a couple years ago. I didn't buy the embroidery module so it's not a bad size. It's still a bit of a hassle to get downstairs to take anywhere. Right now, it's living in the dining room between bees because I'm using it for my bee project. Too much hassle to take it up and downstairs.

Onebyone

I keep a machine in tote at the stair landing for taking out. My stairs are enclosed and has the landing with the less steps heading up. I can keep the stairway door closed so no one sees it left on the landing.

Just had a thought. I have two closets in my foyer. One is for my husband to use and the other I have my Christmas and Halloween decorations. I don't decorate much anymore so I should get those out of the way and keep retreat/sewday supplies ready to go in the closet right by the door. That would make much more convenient and less stress. I need to do more thinking in a straight line!

Sharon5012

I think it looks like a wonderful machine, and would consider myself lucky to have one. I like the other brand monster machines as well (Luminaire, etc). I don’t worry about the size too much, as it is not a machine I would take anywhere. Just me and my big baby sewing along in my sewing room. I quilt my own quilt sandwiches and would find the giant hoop to be pure luxury. The integrated BSR will be super for ruler work. The large screen good for my old eyes. And the power for handbags and jeans. It is a Do Everything machine to me, so I don’t need room for separate machines.