Okay, I’d like to think I’m not a materialistic person. I like nice things but I care about quality, not about designer name brands. I feel like designer brands you pay for about 30% quality and 70% for just the brand name. I could care less about owning a Louis Vuitton, Prada, or Fendi handbags, or expensive clothes that are over $500. I think you can get a really nice quality item for $300 that will be the same quality as $1000+, you’re just not paying for the brand name/”status” symbol, which I could care less about also. My goal in life is to actually not own any super expensive handbags or super expensive clothes/accessories. Jay has taken me to the mall a few times and told me, “You can pick out any one item you want inside this mall.” and every single time, I refused his offer and told him I don’t need anything and I got everything I need. When we attended breakfast at Tiffany‘s, he surprised me and told me I can pick out a jewelry of my choice. I gratefully refused and let him buy me a $20 purse from H&M instead. Last year he gave me a $500 Visa giftcard. I didn’t spend any but used it for groceries and for the kids. I have a hard time spending a lot of money on myself! I feel like there’s more important things than materialistic things(clothes and accessories) and things are just that, things. You can’t take things with you to heaven, and they’re worthless in the end.
BUT…… a few days ago my husband told me I can get a really nice sewing machine that’s about 4 times the price range I was looking at. I was looking at the least expensive Bernina sewing machine, Bernina 215 but he went to a Bernina dealer without me knowing and talked to the experts and told me I should get the Bernina 560. My first reply was no way, I could never spend that much money, no, it’s too much! But the more I think about it, the more it’s tempting me. This deal I just can’t seem to gratefully refuse! A sewing machine is a material thing, but it teaches you skills and knowledge that are useful, unlike clothes or purses that don’t make you any smarter, or better. Am I trying to justify it? Maybe. So I want to ask any of you who know anything about sewing machines, which one should I get? Do you own any of these models? Do you love it?
I’m debating between the 350, 380, or 560. 560 is a sewing and an embroidery machine, a machine with lots of room to grow into. If I buy the 560, I plan on keeping it for as long as it runs(hopefully 20+ years!), and if I get the 350 or the 380, I might upgrade later on. I’ve never embroidered before but if I do get it, I can see myself getting into it and using it a lot. Any of you embroider? Do you love it? What do you make with it? I’ve only owned one sewing machine for the past 14 years and it’s a very simple, basic sewing machine so I’m excited to upgrade, I just don’t know how much I should upgrade to. To embroider or not to embroider. I’ve been obsessed with deciding which sewing machine to get the past couple of days, so please help me out here! It’s a huge investment so any help/advice/tips is appreciated. Thank you!
Naderiey M says
As a daughter of a tailor, I agree that a quality sewing machine goes a long way. My mum has a 16 year old desk top machine and about 10 years ago she bought a second hand factory sewing machine. The machine has broken down and end of 2012, she bought another second hand factory machine. They are great as they are heavy duty machines which can take a lot of stress on festive seasons when people queue for my mom to make them a Hari Raya outfit. We don't see a lot of Bernina machine here so I don't know what to comment about it. But surely a good quality machine can last as good as you take care of it. From my observation sewing machine parts can be replaced but the skills you earn along with keeping it is priceless.
Julia says
I have a Viking machine e10, you can find them for well under 200$. I'm very happy with it had it for 7 years. Im not a huge fan of the machines that do it all only because they make me feel like im doing less. Call me crazy i prefer doing it the "old fashioned " way. Hope you find the right one for you!
Becky Pelletier says
My mother has a Bernina but we also both have the Brother sewing/embroidery machine. I'm going to be honest. We both love our Brother. They are so user friendly, low maintenance, do everything. I sew daily for a little Facebook site that I've started and using my Brother just makes me happy. It does everything and looks great. I also have their serger! Happy sewing! Looking forward to some new sewing tutorials. You inspire me 🙂
Kathy from The Nerdy Seamstress says
I have a Bernina 350 PE, and I mainly sew clothes. I love it because it does everything I need it to do. I can sew several layers of canvas knowing my machine will be able to handle it. I love the quality of the Bernina compared to the Brother machine I had before. In terms of upgrading if you get the 350, I don't think it's necessary if you mainly sew clothes, but it is tempting. I've been lusting over the 710 because it has the built in walking foot. Amazing! I'm sure you'll love your machine, whichever one you do buy.
Kathy from The Nerdy Seamstress says
Oh! I have the knee lift on my machine and I love it. I don't know how I sewed without it.
Amaryah says
My mom has a Bernina and I have a Janome. She quilts and so she loves her Bernina because it has a stitch regulator to make every stitch perfectly even. I don't quilt, but mostly sew and alter clothes so my Janome is all I really need (though one day I would like to get a serger). The thing is, some of those more expensive machines are more pricey because they come with a million stitches, but in the end you still only use like 5 of them, so for me I prefer a more simple machine. BUT, I know my mom loves her Bernina, so I'm sure you would love one too.
Helen says
I too love by Bernina 350. It was in investment for me when I bought it a couple years ago but I really think the sewing machine along with the wonderful online sewing community has helped me to develop a passion for sewing! It has been one of my best investments!
Talitha Richardson says
I have my grandmothers Hasqvarna, and I love it! But it's more sentimental than anything. Wish I could afford a new machine.
Have fun picking the one you want and please post a review about it as you use it 🙂
mayo says
Hi, I own a sewing machine and serger, both are brother. I am really happy with them. the sewing machine has a tray like the one pictured in the last photo, and works with the same principle, you atach it when you want to embroider an ítem and you have to remove it when you are going to sew. of course, that bernina looks a lot more sturdy tan mine, but i am very pleased with my machine, and i had owned this for almost 9 years now!!!! and i use both machines (serger and sewing machine) almost in a daily basis. I cant say anithing about bernina Brand because it is not very common in my country but i do can suggest that no matter what machine you choose, you should also get a serger, it really does wonders when sewing knits, jerseys, and also gives a very profesional finish to any garment. So, i wish you no matters what you choose, that you enjoy your decisión and could get a lot of fun in your sewing hours!!!
mayo says
Hi, I own a sewing machine and serger, both are brother. I am really happy with them. the sewing machine has a tray like the one pictured in the last photo, and works with the same principle, you atach it when you want to embroider an ítem and you have to remove it when you are going to sew. of course, that bernina looks a lot more sturdy tan mine, but i am very pleased with my machine, and i had owned this for almost 9 years now!!!! and i use both machines (serger and sewing machine) almost in a daily basis. I cant say anithing about bernina Brand because it is not very common in my country but i do can suggest that no matter what machine you choose, you should also get a serger, it really does wonders when sewing knits, jerseys, and also gives a very profesional finish to any garment. So, i wish you no matters what you choose, that you enjoy your decisión and could get a lot of fun in your sewing hours!!!
Lehti says
Have a Janome myself and I am happy with it. Even I am a real beginner in the world of sewing, I would suggest you to buy a regular sewing machine and a serger, unless you are really eager to do all the embroidery. And of course, this time you should definitely take your husband´s offer! 🙂
elineuponline.com says
Similarly, I agonize over those purchases. Also, I can't stand the "spending money" thing. BUT, the two things I do not mind spending a bit on is, 1-photography (I have five kids!) and 2-sewing machine. I have a Janome MC6500 and I think you would love it. I really want to get a bernina 1008 used. It goes for $350-$450 on ebay. It's a hard core sturdy machine….without all the bells and whistles. I think you would be very happy with the 560. Do you NEED it, probably not, but if the hubby is down with it, it will go a long time with you. He's offering because he knows what makes you happy and he sees your talent AND he wants you to teach your girls. So, if it's gonna kill you to throw down the dough, maybe get the lesser models. Otherwise, allow yourself the splurge and make use of it. That's very cool!
ALso, I think that Bernina has a better/stronger motor and parts; but when it starts getting really complicated regarding the technology (the higher end models), Janome seems to make people more happy. My dream machine is the Janome Horizon 15000 (crazy price), but the Horizon 12000 is very close (minus bells and whistles) and about half the price at various reputable dealers online.
Good luck…what a great problem to have!
Sarah says
You are so right, thank you so much for your insight! And I hope you learned how to sew from your mother, she sounds like a great seamstress! I don't sew a ton for like businesses so a factory sewing machine I wouldn't need but if I'm sure it can take a heavy load for sure!
Sarah says
Julia, I know what you mean, I feel like such a beginner when I use my fancy sewing machine! I wouldn't mind getting a basic mechanical one down the road either. Thank you for your insight!
Sarah says
That's awesome! I hear brother sewing machines are pretty intuitive so it's easy to use and figure out. And I want to sew so bad! the desire is there, just not time right now. But I promise I will return back to sewing more regularly!
Sarah says
Kathy, I didn't even know what a knee lift was until your comment and I googled and I want one! That'll be my next purchase, thank you!
Sarah says
I hear wonderful things about the stitch regulator. It better be awesome because it's like $1000! haha. I heard good things about janome. ANd you are so right, I only use maybe 2 or 3. THanks for your insight!
Sarah says
Bernina does have a great community. Thank you for your insight Helen!
Sarah says
I have a Husqvarna and it's lasted me so long! I've never maintained it well or cleaned it but it still runs fine, oops! I'll be sure to write a review about it once I use more of it. 🙂
Sarah says
I do have a serger but it intimidates me and i've only used it once since it already came threaded. Haha. Thank you for your insight!
Sarah says
Thank you for your insight! I hear great things about Janome. And yes, it's a great offer I can't refuse! 😉
Sarah says
At my local bernina dealer they sell the 2015 for only $700! And 1008 is $1000 I think. I do want a bernina 1008 too, I like that it's mechanical and not computerized or fancy, I feel like the more simple it is, the less likely chance it'll break or have technical problems. 🙂
bethJ says
We use a butterfly machine, its awesome. We also use Threads embroidery software.. its great for digitizing and lettering. Easy to edit. Love it! http://www.threadses.com/. If you want to sell your machine then I would recommend going to TheEmbroideryWarehouse (http://www.theembroiderywarehouse.com/sell-your-used-embroidery.php)
Sarah says
I've heard good things about butterfly! and I'm going to look into that software, I'm all about easy to use technical stuff. 🙂 Thank you!
Jacolyn erfle says
I have a Bernina 440 QE. It is wonderful. I quilt and do a bit of clothing, household decor and mending. I wouldn’t trade my machine for anything else I’ve seen. Given the chance at a Bernina 560 I would trade simply because it has the automatic cutting feature. I would never own the embroidery module as that is not my thing, and an extra expense. when your machine is humming along like mine why trade? I have it cleaned once a year and it has never failed me. You will never regret buying a Bernina. If you should have trouble or need advice their dealers all have trained personnel to help you. Very supportive.
Pamela says
I have a Bernina 215B. It has been quite a disappointment after 40 years of the 810 workhorse that I loved. I bought the 810 machine so many years ago at the suggestion of an engineer friend who evaluated it thoroughly and was impressed that it had no plastic parts. He was right. It was great. I sewed a lot, including creating large “paintings” using free motion stitching. That machine never failed me. Other than lacking a stretch stitch, I loved it. It finally needed an expensive repair so I was talked into the 215B. I was sure I got a lemon. The primary problem was that it skipped stitches constantly and wouldn’t sew on light weight material, such as sports fabrics. The second major aggravation is that it consistently wads up the bobbin thread on the bottom of the fabric, making an ugly mess, unless you hold the threads back tightly as you start sewing. This requires a free hand, which may be needed elsewhere, and is not always possible, as with quilting, embroidery, or wherever the stitch is not beginning on the edge of the fabric. I returned it to the dealer 2X for repairs and they were never able to fix the problem. By the 3rd time I took it in it was past warranty so they charged me a lot for service, even though it was the same problem they couldn’t fix previously. They finally fix the primary problem the third time, but the stitches wadding up on the back of the fabric seems to be the nature of the machine. It is a major annoyance because I have to stop after each run and try to pick out the wadded up mess, which is seldom completely successful. Also, the back stitch insists on going back 2 stitches instead of one, which is a problem if you are doing precise stitching. I have touted the superiority of Bernina for 40 years, but no more!!
Dallas says
I have a Janome 9200D serger and love the professional finish to garments! It was cheap and quite intuitive. Changing colour threads is a bit of a chore so I cheat and tie the next colour to each thread and pull them through!
juliadiets.com says
The buying of a new machine is driving me crazy! So much research! I don t want buyers remorse, not when spending so much. I also know that I need the back up with warranty which stops me from buying some great deals secondhand which goes against the grain somewhat.
ourlifeadmin says
Theresa,
I am just seeing your comment now, I am so sorry! I loved my Husqvarna! What did you end up doing?