1959 Berinia 530 sewing machine ??

[retromania]

foxchapel is right

a 1/4" foot came with my Activa making it a quilting machine. LOL. I chose it mainky because it will make several really nice buttonholes. It is really just an electronic sewing machine with a few extra bells and whistles. I bought it new six years ago and got free classes. It was great because along with the saavy Bernina instructors, there were a lot of folks in the class that had a passion for sewing: Housewives. Grandmothers. A retired engineer. School teachers. A college kid. I was sad when it was over.

 

[retromania]

Pfaff

Has the wonderful 'dual feed' or whatever it's called which eliminates the need to attach a walking foot.

 

[maytagbear]

Plus,

many quilters I know, quilt in roving packs, sometimes in a community hall, sometimes in turns at each others' houses, and a lightER weight, yet excellent machine is desired. The original Elna Lotus fit both qualities very well.

One of my friends who sews, but does not quilt, is very happy with her Shark brand sewing machine, but I would almost rather face an ocean shark than a Shark sewing machine. Deann does a lot of repairs and clothing construction.

I've been accumulating quilting books and magazines for some time, and have been even working out some of my own designs.... It's just taking the plunge.......

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[gansky1]

Depends on the appeal of the options.

My Bernina 440QE has some stitches that are not available on other models, it came with the Walking-Foot, the 1/4" piecing foot and a free-motion quilting laser-sight control called BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator)among other doo-dads and options. A great package and very popular with quilters, still is. One of the stitches that is particularly interesting is the "hand-stitch" which mimics the look of hand stitching pretty well. The applique stitches of various kinds allow for more flexibility and options in that form of quilting as well.

Then there is the whole realm of computerized machine embroidery, not all machines in the lineup can accept this add-on.

While simple piecing and free-motion machine quilting can be done on most any machine, the extra features and flexibility certainly do have their place - and their cost! Combining the advanced functions of the machine, the BSR and walking feet into one package was a fantastic deal compared with adding those options (if available) to other machines, even higher in the model line. Marketing is certainly a huge factor in selling anything but at least in this instance, the buyer's satisfaction is as much a part of the package - and Bernina knows it!

Say what you want about my husband, I don't care! LOL

 

[earthling177]

Joe (TwinTubDexter) asked: 'What is different about a "quilting" model sewing machine?'

In addition to what was said above, two other characteristics used to be center front before all the different stitches (mechanical or electronic) and accessories showed up: on one hand, there were machines like the Singer Featherweight, which were on the small/light side, great to take everywhere and for piecing or patchwork -- when all you are doing is joining smallish pieces of fabric into a block, particularly when a bunch of people get together for classes, workshops etc. A lot of people used to piece by machine and quilt by hand, particularly in quilting bees around a big quilting frame. On the other hand, when one quilts by machine, a longer arm is more than just practical -- it's very hard to quilt a large quilt in a Featherweight, possible to do a queen/king quilt in a standard machine, but "quilting" machines like the Pfaff Quilt Expression on Reply #78 (and similar sized machines) make it much easier and faster, because you can just roll the entire thing and get the roll to fit under the machine arm, which is longer than standard.

Then there are quilting machines that not only have a very long arm, but you can set the quilt in rolls and run the machine from side to side, which is what professional quilters use -- one makes the patchwork and sends it out to be joined with a backing and batting (which, surprisingly, is what a lot of people do: most quilters enjoy the piecing way more than the quilting). See link for one example.

http://www.handiquilter.com

 

[twintubdexter]

one last post before this thread becomes history

I found a very compact & very cheap Singer cabinet and mounted the Bernina inside. This is probably not the kind of cabinet any serious acomplished sewer would like but for me it's perfect since I don't have enough remaining space to devote to a sewing room. I purchased a couple of books to help me learn how to use a sewing machine. Along with the Bernina binder I'm sure that in a year or so I'll be able to tackle a major project...like a potholder.

 

[twintubdexter]

now you see it...now you don't

Compact and very handy in the event I need to go into a "John Wayne" machismo thing (just kidding of course.)

What sewing machine? I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[twintubdexter]

Finally got the Bernina all bolted into the Singer cabinet. I'm sure this is not the kind of set up an experienced and acomplished sewer would want but it's perfect for me since I don't have any room to spare for a sewing area. I hope that with the instruction books I bought along with the machine's manual I'll be able to tackle a complex project in a year or so...I'm thinking a nice potholder.

 

[retromania]

Congratulations

What a grand sewing station. Enjoy!

 

[foxchapel]

Looks very nice, twintubdexter, and your machine looks very happy. ;o)

 

[twintubdexter]

The nice thing about that old Singer cabinet is that in the event my "machismo" gets challenged (like I ever had any) I can fold the machine up and say "what sewing machine?...I don't know what you are talking about." "That happens to be my fine lingerie cabinet."

 

[retromania]

LOLLL