Sewing Machine Meme

At the beginning of the month, Beth from Sew,Mama,Sew asked for sewers to meme (am I using that word correctly?) about their sewing machines.   Here is mine:

What brand and model do you have?

Bernina 440 QE

How long have you had it?

4 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

At the time I paid $2499

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

Mostly quilts, quilting, some home dec, doll clothes, gifts

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I sew daily-mostly on cotton and quilt layers-I try to treat my machine kindly

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

Love my machine-no name!

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

Bernina Stitch Regulator (for quilting)

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

No sensor for an empty bobbin

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it

Not a great story but I traveled 3 and 1/2 hours to buy it because the store was offering 30% discount at the time

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

Yes- It is a great machine for any type of sewing-very dependable

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

A good dealer (I did find one nearer); price; quality of stitching

Do you have a dream machine?

Yes!  I want to get a long arm machine and frame

I also own a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1. 

I bought this machine as used (Viking was offering a workshop which I took and then they sold the machines after-I was the only one who worked on it) in 2000 and I think I paid around $3000,

I really love my Viking although lately I do not use it as often as I use the Bernina.  I just don’t have the room to keep both machines out.  (When Adrienne comes home, she will only use the Viking) The Viking has a special purr when it is running that says “Be nice to me and I will be nice to you!”

The Viking is user friendly and for me very intuitive.  The embroidery unit slides on and off easily and does a beautiful job.  The best part is the sensor system with the presser foot:  if the needle is down and I stop sewing, the presser foot raises just a hair-great for pivoting.  There are three different heights for the presser foot.  I also like the sensor telling me when the bobbin is running low. It has a great selection of fancy stitches and adjusts for different fabrics.  Upgrades and fixes are generally available as a download that you add to the machine using the floppy disk drive on the machine.

Although great for piecing , I have never felt comfortable free motion quilting on my Viking.  That was the main reason I got the Bernina.  I have quilted individual blocks, however, using the embroidery module. 

I know that this machine is old and I have a feeling HV will stop supporting it soon but I am happy with the machine and am not looking to replace it.  I just hope the disk drive does not become obsolete!

So these are my 2 machines that live with me.   Adrienne has my Viking 1+ and an older Viking she calls her workhorse, and my serger.  I guess it is true-you can never have too many sewing machines!!

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