03 May 2007

Help needed please

Update: I'm not going to get a new machine. Bernie is actually stitching better than he has in a very long time.

I'm dithering.

Bernie is back from the shop and running well. But CarGuy noticed how upset I was that I didn't have him at home and told me to get another machine (for backup). I am looking at this Bernina Activa 230.

So why am I dithering? It's because Bernie is only 11 years old and there is nothing wrong with him.

On the one hand, Bernie (a Bernina 1080QE) has run well and completed every chore I set to him except this last one and that was totally my fault. On the other hand, I want to start doing a lot of strange things like bobbin work and machine embroidery and I don't want to wear him out.

What if I got the new machine and used it for general sewing, labels, piecing etc and kept Bernie for the machine quilting and bobbin work?

Should I buy? Or should I wait? Opinions?

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:00 PM

    You'll want to test-drive on the Activa to help make your decision. I was lured by one of those cute little guys when they first came out. Definitely NOT the same as on my oldie-but-goody Bernina. It didn't seem to have the same ability to sew over most anything (um, let's not discuss denim hems at this point?) without sewing crooked. Not as tough, IMHO. I kept mine for about 9 months and traded up to a full size Bernina, keeping my oldie but goody 1090.

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  2. I can't help you with choosing a machine, cause i don't know much about them. I have a perfectly good Kenmore, and got myself one that has some fancy stitches. Not quite the embroidery machine that I wanted, but it will satisfy my need for a while. This way, I can sew with a friend. I can use the parts that work (the bobbin winder on the new machine doesn't work). I got one that I can switch feet on, so I can mix and match assessories.

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  3. I can't help you because I'm just an enabler - teehee! Just get the new machine, what the heck! :-)

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  4. Anonymous11:05 PM

    Paula, have you thought about the 240? I haven't looked at the Activa machines in a long time, but I recall there were some significant differences between the 230 and the 240. Maybe the 240 comes with the knee lift but it's an upcharge on the 230? They're also 3/4-size machines, so it would be great to travel with, but probably not up to extremely heavy-duty sewing (but you've got your 1080 for that). Another consideration: Doesn't the 1080 use the "old" feet? They wouldn't be interchangeable with the new, but I think you get the automatic buttonhole with the 240. I'm a Bernina fanatic and I don't think it's possible to wear out a Bernina. But we sure do grieve when they go to the spa, don't we? (Nice hubby, BTW!)

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  5. I can't help you with the Bernina question (I can dream, dream, dream) but as to getting another machine -- I'd say go for it. Get one that is easy to travel with but has some of the goodies you want. If I could afford it, I would do it myself (although it would probably be a case of keep the current machine for travel and upgrade, upgrade, upgrade!)

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  6. oh...what a dilemma! I think you'll probably end up using just the one machine, whether you keep you old favourite or get the new one...you'll soon get over the grief thing....well sort of...i remember when my old machine got taken to the recylcling centre, it was quite traumatic really, I'd had it for 30 years and we'd seen a lot of action together but now I have my new machine I am besotted and it helped me move on. You've got the problem of a machine that still works...oh just go and get a new one, you know you want to! ;^)

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  7. I think you should get the new one. What a wonderful hubby to tell you go go and buy it for yourself!

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  8. I've had just one machine for years and a couple months ago I bought a new machine, not because the old one didn't work but because the new machine add more features. Now I use the older one for classes etc.

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  9. I would test drive and shop around to see what you want. If you are ready to buy one then do. It doesn't hurt to have the research all done!

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  10. Anonymous7:02 AM

    I just bought the Bernina 440, just because it had features I wanted that my Pfaffs didn't have. Notice I said "Pfaffs:" I've had more than one machine for about 5 years I think, and having a backup is comforting for us quilting addicts. All that being said, I looked at the 230/240 when I shopped for my Bernina, and though they had the light and the foot and the magnifier that I wanted from the Bernina line, the space between the needle and the inside of the machine is way smaller than the 440, so it could never have been used for machine quilting, IMO.

    Now that I have the 440, I'm beginning to wonder if I could sell the Pfaff 2056 that has been my favorite for the last 5 years (it's been kind of lonely sitting over there unused since Bernie came to live here), but then I'd only really have one...What to do?? I say "buy the new machine, but think carefully before you commit to the 230/240 level."

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  11. "You can never be too rich, too thin or have too many sewing machines" What? That's not how the quote goes? Awww, sure it is!

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  12. Hi Paula, I had a Necchi from 10 years and it has dearly done her job but then last year my husband for my birthday gave me the Berni Aurora 440QE. Fantastic! I began to make new things, I still hold the old Necchi and I bring her with me to the meetings of the Quilt-club :))))

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  13. I have a Bernina 1080 too, and I love her to pieces. I sew often on a newer Bernie with BSR etc at the quilt store, and I find they seem more plasticy (is that a word?) than my solid little workhorse. They're lovely, but different. I'm not trading up.
    *hugs*
    Tazzie
    :-)

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  14. I have two machines set up all the time. I piece on my 1630, it's 13 years old and sews beautifully! I machine quilt and embroider on a 200 that's been upgraded to have all the features of a 730. I also have a small Activa 125 for taking to workshops/classes/retreats. I agree that you cannot have too many.

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