A New Toy
While there's never a substitute for good technique, having good tools isn't such a bad thing, either. One of the things that became readily apparent as I was working on my quilting projects in class was that a nice sewing machine really does make a project go more smoothly. I worked on my first quilt project with my mom's travelling machine, a Husqvarna Romeo. Romeo is a fine machine, but he was lacking a few things that make quilting easier -- which is my way of saying that I got spoiled by the nice machines that Colette has available in the Quiltology sewing workshop and started jonesing for one of my own.
For my birthday, my dear sweet husband told me that I could go pick out a new video iPod of my choice. But I started my quilting classes before I got to the Apple store and I asked him if I could invest in a different sort of hardware. I think I traded on options for anniversary and Christmas presents as well in order to be able to ask Colette to order a Bernina Activa 230 Patchwork Edition for me, but I think it's well worth it. This machine has some lovely things on it that make it perfect for quilting, but it's also an excellent general purpose machine that will be great for other home dec and garment projects. I love that it has a nice pre-programmed stitch library, which means that it can do applique work and some fancy embroidery stitches, and I can purchase the walking foot if I decide I want to quilt my own quilt projects with it.
This machine has lots of room for me to grow into. Truth be told, it's probably more machine than a newbie quilter ought to be investing in. But almost everyone I talked to who had a sewing machine of their own suggested that I wouldn't regret getting a machine a step or so above what I thought I needed. And from what I understand of Berninas, they are the sort of machine that can last a sewer, if not a lifetime, then at least a good long time.
So now I don't have any excuse for not getting all my 9 patches pieced together before my next class!
P.S. I just installed a new plug in to help with the annoying comment spam problems that I've been having. So far it seems to be doing a good job of blocking some of the crap that was hitting my site. It should be invisible to anyone who leaves me a comment, but if you suddenly start to have problems, please drop me an email (email address in my sidebar). I'm hoping that between this plugin and another one that helps me shut off the comments on old posts, none of us will have to see any more stupid "G'night" comments or advertisements for financial services, pharmeceuticals or pornographic materials.
Enjoy your new toy. You're right about technique and tools.
Oh, darn, just when I was going to leave my advertisement for enhancement products. J/K ;-)
Congratulations on the sewing Porsche! I know what you mean about being spoiled—years ago, I got a job at an alterations shop. It was my first exposure to industrial sewing machines. After 10 months of tapping the gas and sewing the entire side of a prom dress in two seconds flat (with proficiency), that was it. When I tried to sew on my friendly (then) 10-year-old Singer at home, it was utterly frustrating. Like riding a bike with a flat tire uphill when you'd rather be driving.
Still haven't invested in an industrial, though, but I am in the market for a serger.
I have the same sewing machine. You'll love it.
I have an older Bernina & the matching serger which my husband bought me as a wedding present. They are 15 years old & still run great, worth every penny & while my girl friends definitely thought they lacked romance I love them!
I love presents that are useful. Sure jewelry is nice, but something that I will use over and over again to be productive and remember when I got it. Priceless.
Have fun with your sewing machine.
I love presents that are useful. Sure jewelry is nice, but something that I will use over and over again to be productive and remember when I got it. Priceless.
Have fun with your sewing machine.
You can't go wrong with a Bernina and a machine to grow into is smart planning.
That's a really nice model! I only have a Bernette, but it works reasonably well. Someday, when I have Money, I'll upgrade to a better Bernina model.
That is a terrific machine. May it bring you many years of sewing time. You can never go wrong with a Bernina. Congrats.
Very, very nice! That's a purchase you will never regret!
My husband, as an artist, always says "if you can't do without, you can't do with" (talking about tools for any particular craft) but we end up debating that. I'm a big believer in using proper and GOOD tools, and Bernina is the.way.to.go (spoken from a Bernina owner - I'm practically a Bernina groupie)
Enjoy your new toy!
I think its always best to get a machine that has a little room for you to grow into. Good choice!! I bought a low end Viking and sold it in less than a year to move up to one of their higher end models so I always think its best to start with something slightly fancier than what you think you need because once you get a taste of it you end up wanting more. I've had my fancy machine now for a couple of years and haven't grown out of it...although I did also buy a serger AND a Coverstitch machine...maybe that has something to do with it LOL!
My Bernina was a college graduation gift from my parents, and now almost thirty years old, and still works great. You'll never need another sewing machine!
Watch out! Bernina's are addictive!! I started with a 153QE and just last year updated to the 730 which is the top of the line .. LOL! You can't beat them for performance, durability and customer service. Enjoy the machine and keep posting about your quilting :)
Congratulations on your new machine. I got a top of the line Bernina as my high school graduation present 20 years ago, and have loved it ever since. It still works perfectly, and I've never regretted the purchase. (Now if I could just find more time to use it...)
Congrats on the new machine - it looks wonderful! Definitely smart getting a machine with room to grow, too.
I actually have a lovely Bernina that is over 10 years old and still perfect. Sil has one too, as does my mom.
I bought my Bernina 1080 13 or so years ago and the amount of $$ it cost seemed really extravagant, but it is my workhorse, it has never failed me. You have to have good tools.
I have the same Bernina but I got mine used. It was right after the new stitch regulator came out so a lot of folks were trading up. So, not only are these machines wonderful to work on but they have a very good resale value!
I have my Great Grandmother's Bernina machine & I love it. I work part time as a theatrical seamstress and have used lots of different machines at work over the years & a good Bernina will beat them all hands down!
I was wondering when you'd break down and buy yourself the toy. Good choice.
Kelly -- I am weak when it comes to the acquisition of new toys!
It's so encouraging to hear that there are so many folks out there who love their Bernina's. Part of my decision to buy one had to do with the fact that the people who had them seemed to love them so much and keep them for so long. To all of you, I wish I could have bottled the "new machine smell" that wafted out of the box when I opened it. It created the same sensation as when I've bought new cars.
Carla -- I think what your husband has to say is actually very interesting. Actually, I'm a firm believer in the fact that some tools should have to be earned through knowledge and experience. Just investing in expensive tools doesn't get someone who doesn't know what they are doing anywhere. But I also believe that people should invest in the best tools that they can afford, because often you end up struggling so much harder for the same thing with less efficient tools, and it makes your love of the art/craft/trade harder to come by.
In this case, while I would hardly call myself an experienced sewer, when I was younger, I did all sorts of small hand needlework projects, both sewn projects and embroidery, so I know the principles and I could hand piece quilt blocks if I really wanted to. This machine is definitely several rungs on the ladder above what my skill level is, but I think that I have enough experience to appreciate what it can do. And I think by having it in my life I'm going to spend more time sewing and growing my experience with sewing.
So I like to think that this is a win win for both sides of the argument. At least for me.
I'd love to hear what other people think about this.
I'm unreasonably chuffed to know I was right about the big purchase. I think it's very smart to buy a machine a step or so above your current usage level. A newbie wouldn't want the top of the line (probably) but you should never buy the minimum you need unless compelled by financial circumstances. You need the tool that you can grow into or you'll end up frustrated by an inability to do something you aspire to try.
I ended up going with a not Bernina when I bought my machine more than 15 years ago but I think this time I will see about going the Bernina route. I'm going to go out and play with them all for a while and see.
I suspect strongly that Bernina's have great resale value too so you can probably always upgrade if you take off in the sewing realm. I'll warn you though, it can get very addicting. Kinda like knitting that way...
Thanks to your link I've now downloaded the brochures for a few Berninas as early research toward my own upgrade. My daughter is at the age where a good mommy would be making her specially embroidered shirts and skirts and stuff. And it certainly would be easier to get things to fit my beanpole of a daughter if I made the clothes myself.
Enjoy your new tool and remember it's a tool not a toy so you get to buy the best that you need.
Yee haw! Nice machine. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
I have been reading your blog for a while now, but I think this is my first comment. I also have a Bernina. It is a few years old, thus a "lesser" model then yours, but still a very nice machine to use. It has been good to me and has made a lot of little people clothes and other nifty things (and it even likes my mom and her love for basting things before you serge them together)
Enjoy it! Now I just wish my new MP3 player really worked with the download sites. I should have gotten and Ipod. :(
I've had my Bernina for 20 years and it still works perfectly. Enjoy your new machine!
I teach spinning, weaving, and knitting, and I always tell my students that there are 3 things that they are battling in lessons: materials, equipment, and their own learning curve. If you eliminate the fights with materials and equipment, all you have to fight is your own learning curve. Learning will then be both easier and more enjoyable, and faster. Buying good equipment is always a good idea!
It's like houses--they say to buy the most you can...congratulations on the new toy, er, tool. I have my great-aunt's '70's-era Bernina and it's still running strong.
Congratulations. Enjoy the peace now. I have an 18 and 22 year old and the fun never stops. That 9 patch is going to make a gorgeous baby quilt for baby z (is that a hint about the name?)...zacharina?
it's certainly pretty. :)
Congrats on the Bernina! I've been a Bernina loyalist since back in my college days when I studied costume design. I am convinced that if my house ever catches fire, I'll be able to toss the Bernina out the upstairs window before I exit--and I'll find it waiting for me outside in good working order. I once actually tripped over the cord and pulled the maching off the table onto the floor. I chipped the edge of one knob, but that was the only damage--I just put it back on the table again and kept on sewing.
Sarah-Hope
www.whatifknits.com