Nothing against other machines but I’ll probably always be a Bernina girl. I bought my first one (930) in about 1983. The second one, a 1230, was purchased in about 1989 and the third, and probably final one . . the 430, was purchased in 2010. I so love the 1230 and never gave myself a chance to bond with the 430. I didn’t like that it needs to be oiled more often than the 1230. I don’t like that they tell you to bring it in from time to time for “maintenance”. My 1230, which is about 28 years old, has been to the shop once! When I first got the 430, I used it a few days but packed it back into the box and there it sat for about a year. Then the packers/movers came in and the box got taped up and moved. There it sat under my cutting table, still taped and packed . . til yesterday.
Bernina Aurora 430
Monday morning was one of those mornings when you wonder why you got out of bed. I had to get lunch made before I could go sew. Even though I started making meatballs a little after 7 a.m., I also had a couple of packages to get ready for shipping, a couple of checks to write and get in the mail, and some laundry to get going. It was about 9 before I got to the sewing room and after 9:30 before my friend got there. My plan was to start stitching down the deer applique and we were going to use the Singer 301 machines but then I realized the only feet I have for them are closed toes and you can’t really see where you’re stitching. We debated what to do. My friend said she could run back to her house and get her machine and I would use my Bernina 1230 that stays set up. She went back to her house and got her machine but by the time she got back, it was about 10 minutes before I had to go back to the house and finish lunch. I told her she could stay and sew but she had some things to do at home so she went back home.
About 12:30 we were back in the sewing room but her foot pedal wasn’t working right so I said . . hey . . I can set up the 430 and you can use that. She’s the sweetest friend and she kept saying . . no, I don’t want to use your new machine. Heck . . my new machine is really old. I’ve had it 7 years! It needs to be used so I got it out and she started using it but we quickly realized she needed the open toe embroidery foot (#20). We tried all the feet I have for the 430 . . several times . . and none of them were great for what we were doing. I told her I would order one but she needed to order some fabric so she ordered a #20 foot for my machine. It should be here by the end of the week.
I think . . I’m not sure . . but I think she may be wanting a Bernina soon! 🙂
Oh . . we did get several blocks stitched down. I’m betting by the end of the week, we’ll be sashing our blocks and making rows!
Sandie says
I had an Elna machine that I dearly loved, until about 4 years ago when a friend decided to switch from a Bernini 440QE to a Janine. Since that had been on my “If I ever win the lottery wish list”, and she was selling it at an amazing price, I adopted her. I’m not totally sure why, but I just haven’t warmed up to her like I had hoped I would. My sewing room needs some serious excavation, and that may be why I’m not feeling the love of all things quilty as much, but I’ll soon find out. I’ve been asked to do some pattern testing for an upcoming book, and will be spending some quality time with her this weekend. Hopefully I will fall in love with her and get my quilting mojo back!
Moneik says
I feel you need to work on a machine for about a year to really bond with it. I had a Janome and moved to a much nicer Bernina, but it took me at least a year to be fairly comfortable with everything it could do.
JudyL says
Maybe but I fell in love with the Singer 301 on Day 1.
Rhonda Roberts says
I too have a newer Bernina that is packed away while I continue to use my 1230. I love that machine and often think about looking for a backup used one “just in case.”
Sherrill says
Hey! What are you doing sewing on a non-Quiltathon day?!!!! 🙂
Mary Jo says
I loved my Bernina 1230 for over 20 years but then I tried the Juki TL-2010Q and now I use it for all my piecing. It’s so much more accurate. I still use the Bernina for anything requiring more than a straight stitch but I’ll never piece on it again. Several years back I bought a Bernina 440 (I think that was the model. It was the first one with the BSR) but never bonded with it so I sold it and went back to using the 1230.
Quilterbea says
I love my 440QE which replaced a Pfaff.
Judy W says
I still use my 930 that replaced an old Singer. I’ve been told by a Bernina repairman that it is the best Bernina ever made.
Rose says
I bought a Husqvarna around 35 years ago and its still going strong. She’s had her maintenance checks over time and for the first time late last year I had to purchase a couple of new parts. From what I’ve heard regarding “modern day machines”, they sure don’t make them like they used too! I dearly love my old girl 🙂
Dar in MO says
I’m in the same camp as you Judy, a Bernina girl since 1985. I am still using my 1130, and did buy a Bernina Artista 730 about 9 or 10 years ago which I do use quite a lot too. It is so heavy that I leave it in the cabinet and take the Bernina 1130 on retreats and such. I also inherited
a 7570 Pfaff a couple years ago from a good friend who passed away, and after $400 worth of repairs, I’m trying to get to know her better and bond with her so I can carry her to sewing days (along with my Singer Featherweight as backup). lol For straight piecing and lightweight carrying, I love my 220 and will never give her up!! The Pfaff does have the added advantage of the built in even feed foot that I love.