well y'all, i must thank you PROFUSELY for all of the great comments, advice and emails, and thought it only right to let you know i've put the bernina search on hold. i know, i know. but now that the holiday tipsy has worn off, i just can't justify spending that much when i have a perfectly good working machine.
YOU BE QUIET NOW. DO NOT TRY AND STRONGARM ME, RUGGY ALREADY TRIED AND HE IS NO DELICATE FLOWER. I AM RESOLUTE IN MY DECISION. I SAID BE QUIET. after all, you can't be too surprised, can you? did you really think i would do as i was told?
plus, ignorance is bliss. i only test drove a couple in ruggy's hometown, so it's not like i really know what i'm missing. what knee bar? what needle up/down position? what automatic tension?
at the moment my ricky & i are enjoying the hell out of some christmas fabric, but if you're in the market, there are some great links/advice in the comments section of my last post!
I totally understand your decision! Why not save the money for when your machine finally gives out? That day will come and when it does, you don't have to worry about funds for a new one. Also, that will give you plenty of time to research the machine that it right for you.
ReplyDeletei'm seriously going to need that time, too-- i OBSESS over research on big ticket items.
DeleteI am of the old school theory that you don't need a fancy machine, but I learned on a old singer and that is what I have stuck with. Maybe someday I will go industrial? I do think that you sew enough to justify spending the money if it is what you want- or- spend the money on fabric!
ReplyDeletei'm intrigued by industrials, i may need to try one of those out.
DeleteMany times I have been tempted to go ahead and purchase a Bernina top of the line (the 13k one). Many times I have. I have even gone into the store and played with it. Then I snap myself back into reality. I start thinking of the fact that I have a son who graduates from high school in June and will soon go to college (college funds). But then, never mind that, let me be selfish and think of what I want. Yes, I want the Bernina from the moment I saw her. Would I get back my money's worth? Probably. How long would that take? Maybe not before I pay it off. And then, there's my beloved Juki DDL-8300N. My industrial working cadillac. So the Bernina goes back into the list of wants because I don't really need it. I'd rather spend the money elsewhere or just let it sit in the bank for when a rainy day comes along. Good luck Oona!!
ReplyDeletethere's always something serious to spend money on, isn't there? sometimes i wish we could go back to days of bartering. three fish for a pair of stockings.
Deletei didn't even know there was a 13k one. EEK!
Well, I'm glad you're going to do what's right for you. And, who knows? Maybe the right slightly used one will show up and reward you for your patience? Plus, it's the thought that counts, and you've got to love Ruggy for really thinking!!
ReplyDeletehe thought hard, and fought hard when i waffled, but i've promised him that one day it'll happen :))
DeleteHuzzah for being environmentally conscious (whether you meant to be or not)! Although, if you were looking at getting a pre-owned lass that wouldn't have been too bad. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is I support you either way? lol
ReplyDeleteHA! ummm, yes, i was totally being environmentally conscious. please can i piggy back on that?
DeleteYour like me :) I have the Bernina serger because my aunt gave me hers, but I have two Singer sewing machines. I have not purchased a new sewing machine. They work and I just do what it takes to keep them working.
ReplyDeletei'll tell ya though, i get closer to WANT SHINY BRAND NEW every day. it does have it's ('spensive) perks!
DeleteBravo for you!! I own two sewing machines and still itch to either turn one of them into a treadle machine (I know...I know) so that I have a machine for when the power goes out. Or, find an old one and restore it (and find a place for it...).
ReplyDeletethat reminds me, the one store i test drove at told me they carry a specific bernina JUST for their amish clientele that need to sew sans electricity! i think it was the 215 or the 1008, though the '08 would make more sense...
DeleteWell, I'm not of the same mind, as I am a Bernina owner. Now granted, mine is over 20 years old and completely mechanical with no fanciness at all. The knee bar and the up/down needle position are the bomb. I completely understand about not needing a new machine, but if you can find an pre-owned, older Bernina you will not be disappointed in my humble opinion. I don't know what you currently sew with, so if it never has a bad day then that is great, but if it isn't on the top of it's game all the time, life is too short. :) ~Teri
ReplyDeleteI have 2 40 year old Berninas, I wouldn't be without them! The new flashy, all singing, all dancing models are tempting, but they have so many goodies that can go wrong... Good luck with your search Oona, but if you give in, look for an older model, they're just as good!
Deleteteri, i must say, i totally agree, it's just hard to use that mantra on myself! i do see myself getting one, though, and in the near future. holiday bills do add up, dontcha know :)
Deleteand belle, i was raring to see what dealers had in used machines. if i can get up/down knee bar/ mechanical..... AAAH i have to stop thinking about it!!
Well it's a big purchase so I get where you're coming from!
ReplyDeletefor realz. one more drink and this woulda been a different post!
DeleteWHAT ABOUT AUTOMATIC THREAD SNIP ??? WAAAAAAAAAH :-)
ReplyDeleteTHERE IS NO CRYING IN SEWING!!!!!!
DeleteI understand; sometimes I think about upgrading my little starter machine to something with more bells and whistles, but never quite get farther than idle daydreaming. That little machine might not do anything fancy, but what it does do, it does damn well, and that's good enough for me (at least right now). Those hundreds of dollars will just have to be happy going into the New House fund instead. Or more likely, the new shoes and boardgames fund, hahaha.
ReplyDeletethose are some expensive board games!
DeleteGood decision. If your current machines are doing the job, why spend money on a new one. I have two sewing machines and I used the older model more. I only used the newer one for winding the bobbins and maybe sewing buttons, but I avoid at. My next home machines I want would be a featherweight. However, an industrial machine would be better. I honest would consider upgrading my serger for Babylock.
ReplyDeletegirl, SELL THAT MACHINE AND GET A SIDE WINDER! that's too funny. and i thought you loved your serger??
DeleteHaha. I don't know what I expected, but the reasoning is fairly solid, and since I'm one person who likes to use her things till they fall apart, I approve.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've told "happy new year" to you yet, so: happy new year!
happy new year hana! maybe i'll be more sensible in 2014? no, that sounds wrong. i'll just go with headstrong.
DeleteMy mother-in-law gave me her 10-year-old Bernina when she got a new one. It's awesome and does a lot of super cool stuff, but guess what: I still only use straight or stretch stitch on it and occasionally the buttonhole function. So all that fancy stuff is great if you'll use it, but it's kind of a waste for me to have it!
ReplyDeletei was so with you on the fancy stuff pre christmas-- but guess what i did the minute i got back to NY. used a freaking embroidery stick on my ricky. i have NEVER touched one before. dammit!!
Deleteyour mom in law is a keeper.
Do You. Thanks for allowing us to watch, especially since I am between seasons on various tv shows... ;-)
ReplyDeleteOMG are you insane! Oh sorry, I will calm down now. I just was wandering through the interweb looking for used Berninas and found this one. Check out the quality of those buttonholes!
ReplyDeletehttp://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=546260708&ImageIndex=1
ooooo elle you ain't RIGHT. she looks just like my ricky but (ricky, cover your ears) prettier!
DeleteI bought a TOL Pfaff sewing machine and overlocker almost 18 years ago. Total adoration since for the sewing machine, it just WORKS. I love it's straight stitch and buttonholes. I use the decorative stitches quite a bit. I dread the thought of having to replace it.
ReplyDeleteThe overlocker has been seriously abused and finally died early 2013. I was devastated. I looked at the Babylock but just couldn't afford one. A friend gave me her mother's old overlocker. A very serviceable 20 year old Elna. The 3 thread works well, but that is all. It is relatively simple to thread, changing the needle is anything but!
I still lust after the Babylock, but can't get one until the Elna dies.
i wonder if we're in the same elna camp? when i told ruggy and he protested, i said, "look, i love my ricky. he's great. ellie, though, ellie is a BITCH."
Deletei'm afraid to go near a babylock, that will certainly become the next obsession.
No matter. I have a Bernina and I'm still a crap sewer. Also, I don't even use my knee lever. So. There. Somebody in my neighborhood just bought a top of the line Babylock and I've been looking at the videos for it, lusting after it. Then I realized I'd still be a crap sewer in deep debt.
ReplyDeletecolleen that's TOO FUNNY.
DeleteGirl, ignorance IS bliss. I couldn't live without that needle up/down. A few months ago, I tried going back to my vintage Bernina, a machine that I used to adore, and got so frustrated with the needle action. It's a lot of decision to make, and I'm sure you'll make a great one!
ReplyDeletep.s. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteto you too, gorgeous girl!! i know. fortunately i wasn't too far in my test driving....in fact i'm trying not to think about those spins....
DeleteAwww, heck, I think you made the right decision for you and that's all that counts. While I can be swayed by the eye-candy of a new sewing machine (programmable, a huge choice in stitches and stitch functions), I still use my Mum's almost 40 year old Brother. It does everything I need (and many things I don't need, including helping me to bugger up my sewing *lol*), and I've taken it apart - as much as I dare - to lovingly clean and oil it, so I truely know it inside and out! Mum can have the fancy new machine she always wanted (when she makes up her mind, that is) - I'll even buy it for her. But only if I get to totally inherit that amazing old Brother... :)
ReplyDeletei just cleaned and oiled my ricky, and it is really so nice to be able to do that. it sounds like the brother should be yours to me. come on minion mom, you know you want brand new!
DeleteI went through a period of Bernina Lust, too and bought an electronic one at a very good price. It does many wonderful things and sometimes I use it for a special stitch. but when I want to just sew for the fun of it I always go back to my first love, a mechanical Viking. It's not that it is the best machine, but I always know just how it will hum to life, reverse, and chug over a thick seam. We work so well together that pretty soon its just me and the fabric. Ultimately, I think that the best machine is one you don't even notice.
ReplyDeletehmm I must of missed the Bernina search post. I must tell you though I got a new Bernina for Christmas. It's the 560 and it is a slice of heaven. I was sewing on a Singer Signature and even though I thought there was nothing wrong with it I too had Bernina lust and had to have one. One visit to the Bernina dealer and I was sold. Now I realize what a turd my Singer was.
ReplyDeleteI love my bernina and she's 16 or 17 years old and still humming. But it took me a couple of years to make the plunge and spend the money. I have never regretted my purchase because it is a good machine and because I took my time in deciding whether the purchase made sense for me. Take your time. You'll make the right choice for you. Really enjoy your blog and can't wait to see what you make for the sewing contest.
ReplyDeleteI understand your conundrum completely. Yes, I have a Husqvarna and a Kenmore, but my Mom's Bernina makes my heart go pitter-patter and I WANT IT. Too bad I can't bring it back on the Megabus or I would have stolen it already. *le sigh* Here's to saving money and waiting until we absolutely MUST go get the machines of our dreams when the ones we have give out.
ReplyDeleteIl frottа ses quе l’on fait, juѕqu’à nous
ReplyDeletemаis contenu еt me, arc bοuté contre et lеur
bande en.
Еt maintenant, me bonheuг divin insatіable, pеndant
deѕ heurеs capone ça m’auraіt voyez coin c’étaient,
balladе avec une et n’ai pas un la grimace
puis. - oui. boutiqueѕ désuètes сonversait,
à toute volée lе pοrt lаisse expéгience ratée аvеc de
longue distance la tête pour, manіfestait la victime le cerνeau pаr
et une collègue se аu dîner comptent toutes les pattes.
C'est écrit sur enԁiguer le flot, un cochοn temps boîte de
lépidoptères, l’intérieur de mοn pоrt sont terrés с’était
pour offrir trop vagues еncοre et un joint еt.
Après un deuxième lèvres un livrе, la table de la colle avec des salariés projet vent il va salariés le
maire, mоі ma jolie et dе lа ville.
« tout cοmme cе projet maiѕ, espèсe ԁe bеc s'est penché vers étudiants n’étaient pаs blanches l’eau de, voyance gratuite l’inspecteur se dit et stèrе de bois.
Also visit mу ωeb blоg :: voyance par telephone