Berninas??

[Mihelinka]

Who has a bernina??? Are they worthe the cost I have been using my moms 25yo singer since I started sewing & it needs yet another tuneup. I"m thinking of just getting my own. I've hear so much about berninas but hte price tag .... I also am more comfortable with plain old mechanical machine, the computerized ones scare me a bit. Our local quilt shop is now a bernina dealer & they do have a bernette? a mechanical one for around $450
Does anyone have one of these? what do you think?

Where is sabrinikat?? I heard you have 10 or so sewing machines H*E*L*P

[E.V. Lowi]

The old Berninas are wonderful. I have 3 and they are still going strong after 25 and 30 years of daily use. I have the 850 and the 217

http://www.directsewingmachines.co.u...duct.asp?p=548

[sabrinat]

If you like a mechanical machine there's a lot to choose from w/the Berninas. If you want new, you can get a 1008. It's a basic all metal Bernina. I have an 801 and 807. They are both all metal, basic machines that have 6 or 7 stitches only. I paid $80 for one and $100 for the other. They are worth every penny in my opinion. However I think in general Berninas are overpriced. Don't get me wrong, they are nice machines and make a wonderful stitch. But there are a bunch of machines that sew just as nicely and don't have the hefty pricetag. Bernina enjoys a strong rep and an inflated ego that has kept it's prices high. I mean they say stuff like Swiss enginereed, but all that means is that they designed it, but it was still built in a factory in China or Taiwan...only the very TOL are still made in Switzerland.

[junewedding02]

i have a bernina artista 165 and i ADORE it. i saved for it, and it is my side business, though - as it was about $3000. it stitches like you wouldn't believe. i think if it as the BMW's of sewing machines - their slogan is you don't understand untill you drive one - and i think bernina is the same way i'm sure there are nice other machines out there, i am just sold on them after loving mine. had it for about 4 yrs and i use it almost daily. good luck!!

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by sabrinat

If you like a mechanical machine there's a lot to choose from w/the Berninas. If you want new, you can get a 1008. It's a basic all metal Bernina. I have an 801 and 807. They are both all metal, basic machines that have 6 or 7 stitches only. I paid $80 for one and $100 for the other. They are worth every penny in my opinion. However I think in general Berninas are overpriced. Don't get me wrong, they are nice machines and make a wonderful stitch. But there are a bunch of machines that sew just as nicely and don't have the hefty pricetag. Bernina enjoys a strong rep and an inflated ego that has kept it's prices high. I mean they say stuff like Swiss enginereed, but all that means is that they designed it, but it was still built in a factory in China or Taiwan...only the very TOL are still made in Switzerland.

I agree! Mine are the old Swiss built Berninas. I recent purchased a new Bernina that was built in Thailand and it was awful. A real "donkey" compared to my fine Swiss "racehorses". I sold it at a loss.

[Mihelinka]

Thank you for the info. Looks like i need to ask some questions about where & how the ones at the store are made. I really can't spend more than $500 on a machine, (tops) whether it is old, new or needs to be fixed. I just want something durable. My mother's singer is OK, but i just had it serviced 6 months ago & it needs it again. And i only did 3 or 4 projects in that time.

[Mihelinka]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

The old Berninas are wonderful. I have 3 and they are still going strong after 25 and 30 years of daily use. I have the 850 and the 217

http://www.directsewingmachines.co.u...duct.asp?p=548

Are both your machines industrial or made for home use? curious

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by Mihelinka

Are both your machines industrial or made for home use? curious

The 217 is a light industrial. The 850 is considered a home use industrial machine. It also came in a portable model. Everyone I know who has one of these is very partial to them.

Here's a group where you can find out more about the old Berninas-

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerninaThirtySomethings/

Some good information

http://www.mariamichaelsdesigns.com/...sonCharts6.htm

[cristeen]

I have 3 Berninas and I love them. 2 are from the 1980s, and I'm not sure when the 3rd one is from, but it's newer. The older machines really are great workhorses. One of my machines is just a basic portable machine that was my very first machine we bought when I was 11. It only does straight and zig-zag, but for most things that's all you need. It's not as heavy duty as my other machine, since it is a portable, but it's served me well for 20 years. My big machine was my mother's and she bought it in 82, I believe (it's written in the manual). That thing hums along like nobody's business. I also LOVE the knee lever to the presser foot. It has more stitch options, but I still pretty much only use straight and zig-zag.

The 3rd machine is a newer overlock, and I'm having issues with it. But I bought it used off ebay and it didn't come with a manual, so that's not too surprising.

[Mihelinka]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

The 217 is a light industrial. The 850 is considered a home use industrial machine. It also came in a portable model. Everyone I know who has one of these is very partial to them.

Here's a group where you can find out more about the old Berninas-

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerninaThirtySomethings/

Some good information

http://www.mariamichaelsdesigns.com/...sonCharts6.htm

Thank you