Sew mama Sew Sewing Machine Month

What brand and models do you have?

I have 2 Berninas - they are both Artistas. One is a 165 the other is a 640.

How long have you had it?

I have had the 165 for about 5 and a half years and the 640 for about 3.5 years.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

They were both quite expensive. One of the reasons they cost so much was because they are both Embroidery machines as well. I never use the Embroidery modules So I wish I would NOT have bought them. But I as far as money goes I paid about $3500 for the first machine and then two years later I paid (in cash from all the bags I made with the first machine) about $4500 for the Artista 640E

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

I have made hundreds of quilted bags, Stacks of quilts and the random garment

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

I sew every day. I put in from 1 to 9 hours a day on my sewing machines. They work hard and are wonderfully reliable.

Do you like/love/hate your machine?

I LOVE my machines. If my house was on fire, and my family was safe, I am sure I would go back in to save my machines.

Passionate?

I am a Bernina girl through and through. I dream at night of things I want to make, and with my machines I am confident I can.

Does she have a name?

Yes, they are Bertha and Beatrice

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

Everything is wonderful. The feet are so easy and quick to switch out, heck when you select your stitch it even tells you which foot you should be using! Get a Bernina ladies!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

I am not an embroiderer. I love to do my own freestyle quilting/drawing/writing with my darning foot and the feed dogs down, but I do not like to use the Embroidery module. I just don't like to set it up of try to remember how to use it. I had rather just do what I need to do freehand. ;o)

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.!)?

A great story huh? Humm...well I have sewn my fingers several times. But other than being kinda painful and shocking that is really no big deal. I guess the best story is that I bought the second (more expensive) machine with cash from the money I made by sewing on the first machine. I was quite proud of myself. I wanted a very reliable workhorse machine to take to the Outback of Australia with me. I wanted to have 2 so I could have a back up if anything happened to the first machine. We live in a very Remote area of Australia and the Sewing Machine Repairman only comes to town 2 times a year. I didn't want to have to go MONTHS without being able to sew. Oh reflection I really did not need quite the fancy machine that I have, a good industrial one would have been fine, but I didn't know that at the time. But I am confident that if I had to put my machines in a beauty pageant where the winner was the machine that did the most mine would win hands down. I am pretty sure they have a button on them somewhere that folds clothes and mops the floor, I just have not found it yet (just kidding, they really are not robots).

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

Lord, YES! Buy a Bernina with confidence. You will truly be able to fly with what you want to create. Sewing is an utter thrill with my girls. You are only held back by YOUR imagination.

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

I recommend to my friends having a machine that has a good straight stitch and zigzag stitch, and that you can lower the feed dogs for free motion quilting. That is it really. Pretty simple, and Bernina has some awesome ones that do just that.

Do you have a dream machine?

I use my dream machines on a daily basis, but I would give a good home to a nice featherweight Singer or Necchi. ;o)