Tough decision on sewing machine to buy.?
Question:My local Bernina dealer is having a company rep come down. If I go through a little weekend afternoon sales pitch I can get $200 off the basic Bernette 55 model. It retails for about 400 so that would be 50% discount. BUT I'm real tempted to go to Wallyworld and just get a $100 machine now, now, now.
Bernina Pros
I will get lessons from my local dealer, phone help, probably an okay warranty, maybe could trade it in later.
Bernina Cons
Are they really better than a Walmart basic Brother? All stuff is cheap these days. How can this base model Bernetter really be worth the x-tra 100 bucks?
Walmart Pros
I can have it now with out the sales pitching. My housemates is a seamstress and can show me alot on my basic machine.
If I outgrow it quick I can sell it online just a quick.
Walmart Cons
Maybe it won't sew as well in some way. I have no clue about sewing so I don't want a machine that doesn't do a good job and frustrates me and discourages me from sewing.
Answers:
I am a Bernina technician and will say this.
Yes, the Bernette is the lowest end of the Bernina line and maybe not much better than WallyWorlds plastic junk.
But you answered your own question and I believe its well worth the extra to have all the support of Bernina behind you. If you buy WalMarts you will not get the perks and when it breaks next month you don't get to have it repaired. At least not right away. The lessons alone are worth the extra. Bernina requires all dealerships to have a technician on site, teachers and FREE classes for their machines and a much better warranty. I don't understand why you wouldn't go Bernina because of this. You won't get any of it at the MegaloMart.
Good luck anyway.
Nothing is better than Berninas (and Bernettes) ...Nothing.
If you know nothing about sewing, why are you buying a new machine? Use the one you have until you get good. You may not even enjoy it, and you'll be stuck with the machine. They depreciate as much as a car, so you will lose money when you sell it.
I vote with the less expensive machine and the roommate-- as you learn to sew you'll learn what features you'll be needing or wanting.
Other stores have classes, too-- and you use their machines-- so you don't have to buy it to learn. The classes aren't free tho-- but are cheap and ones I've taken also included the fabric for the project.
I sewed everything from linen suits for small boys to quilted bedspreads on a treadle machine-- basic sewing. Add a buttonholer and other such gadgets and you can do just about anything except zig zag.
Good luck
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