So, as Murphy's Law would predict, I was
THIS close to having my big Halloween order finished, and right in the middle of one of the very last table runners, the sewing machine needle screeches to a halt mid-stitch, horrible grinding sound, alarms going off, lots of blinking, disaster. Mind you, I have
2 days left till this is supposed to be delivered. I run to the laptop and frantically start searching yelp for sewing machine repair shops. Amazingly enough, one of the top rated just so happens to be about 5 minutes from me. They also just so happen to be one of the few authorized Bernina dealers in the city.
Soooo, I take in my $300 Target special machine. The tech calls me back the next day and says he can't bring himself to even attempt to fix it, it's not worth the labor in and of itself. At this point I've come to realize not only do I need a REAL sewing machine, I also need a back-up. So I buy the most basic one they have knowing I'm coming back to look at a Bernina. Mimi Kirchner sews on a Bernina. I mean, lets face it, even the name is exotic and professional sounding. I don't know how I know this, but somehow I've got it in my head that Bernina is the best of the best. So I start doing research.
Looks like it comes down to this. Avid sewers are either in Camp A-Bernina, Camp B-Pfaff, Camp C-Viking, Camp D-Vintage Singer, Camp E-Babylock. Another interesting thing I learned. Almost everyone writing a review of a top of the line machines cites buying from a good dealer as being as important as the machine itself. So I find a reputable Pfaff dealer. They happen to be about 15 miles away, only open from 10-5 and in the worst direction possible for me to ever get there, even leaving work early. I go check them out on a long lunch break anyway. Very nice ladies, nice machines. Go home for more research. Review of Pfaff TOL's seem to be about as good as Bernina TOL's. Looks like most people love them, a handfull got lemons, and some bad reviews seeminlgy due to user error which is understandable when you take a look at these things. HOWEVER, the Bernina software is really a step above. You can digitize Jpegs, embroider on top of embroidery, and the coolest freaking thing ever, they have a Cutwork tool, basically a blade that replaces the needle and cuts out anything you want. I have been looking for this since I bought my Silhouette die cutter, which I LOVE, but it doesn't cut fabric. So, I need a Bernina.
So back to the Bernina dealer, which is open till 6 (makes a huge difference). Pricing is more or less about the same as the Pfaff's, excepting the TOL 830e. I narrow it down to either the 640e or a used 730e they have in the shop. Then talk to my husband. Now there's a long list of great things I love about him. One really important thing I've learned from him regarding business in the recent past is to not skimp on business equipment. If you're going to use it, get the best you can, you'll get your money back. He says he wants to go with me to check them out. So, we get there, and they happen to be demo-ing the 830e. I can see it sucking him in. The guy is trying to tell us all about the 640e, and he's all but falling out of his chair in the other direction, watching the 830 embroider.
So, God love him, he is now convinced I need the 830e. I'm by no means arguing, but not completely 100% sure it's worth double the money. What in the World, the things you can do with this though. I can't think about anything else at the moment. It would literally open up a whole new world of product. The ability to personalize things in and of itself is amazing. If anyone has any experience with an 830e or 640e, I'd definitely appreciate any opinions/advice.
In the meantime, here are some pics of my upcoming Halloween line in progress. I'll let you know when these are available on Etsy, I'm shooting for Labor Day weekend.
P.S. If you're looking at sewing machines, this site has plenty of reviews on just about everything:
