Dear Bernina...
Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:34AM I adore my Bernina 830. It’s the most wonderful machine on the planet! But… like many quilters, I long for a very basic, inexpensive machine just for piecing. I do all my piecing now on my 830 and it does a wonderful job, but I would like a piecing machine for my business.
Here is my wish list, in case you might be inclined to indulge me someday.
- Narrow feed dog, 5.5mm is fine, 2mm would be even better.
- Dual feed. An absolute must. I could never live without it again!
- Needle up/down
- Good lighting
- Reverse button
- Knee lift and the presser foot hover feature.
That’s it. That’s all I want. One single straight stitch is the only stitch the machine needs to do. While multiple needle positions would be nice, even those are not necessary. All I want is a workhorse machine that I can piece my quilts on, and bind them with.
I know I’m not alone out there. This machine would fly off American shelves. All those dedicated Featherweight piecers? I think you’d find them jumping ship in droves. Many women love to piece quilts, but don’t do any sewing, or any of their own quilting. What a great way to introduce them to Bernina!
;)
Okay I’m awake now and done dreaming. I did finished my Thimbleberries “Town Square” quilt top, with some modifications to the border. This was made out of stash fabrics, and I just didn’t have anything that looked right for the original border.
After I quilt this, I’ll probably go back and applique in the windows.
The quilt is hanging on the new Savage Port-a-Stand I bought specifically for taking pictures of quilts. When the HQ16 is gone, I’m going to set it up in front of the garage door, that way if it isn’t light enough inside, I can open the door and easily take a picture with natural lighting.
Reader Comments (13)
Dear Bernina, if you are going to make one for CJ, could you please make one for me! I want everything she does, especially that dual feed. I can't live without that either!
I too love my 830.
CJ, cj, cj.........this machine sounds close to perfect. 5.5 with a straight stitch plate optional AND zigzag stitch. I still want the bigger sewing space like the 8 series. No bsr needed. Definitely YES to dual feed.
YEp, that's mine!
Very nice top, I always seem to love your color choices.
Great quilt top! I was wondering what you were going to do with that stand. Excellent!!!! What a great idea.
LOL, I'll just take another Bernina, regardless...LOL
Everytime I'm at the shop, I pet the machines and want to take them home with me. For some strange reason I'm currently longing for the 230 PE Activa. It's one sweet machine and I think it would be perfect for piecing. Bad Chris, bad bad Chris.
Nice quilt! Your border rocks! I love your idea for the movable stand for photos. My photos suck... I need to do something to improve them for sure! Polly :-)
Beautiful quilt. What a great stand for taking pictures! I was wondering how getting your machine set up was going.
Very nice top! And, I'm right there with you on that new Bernina. I have nightmares about my old 1230 biting the dust and then not being able to find anything I like as well.
Sign me up for that little Bernina, also! I'll take 2--one for me and one for my daughter who is a budding quiltress.
CJ, I covet your set up--I want everything you have--long arm, big area for quilting and a hanging rack to photo them. Not to mention I really, really, really want that 830 now. I spent a week sewing on it at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion and I NEED it. What a dream machine it is!!!
Karen in GA
What about your antique Singer for piecing?
The Bernina you are "helping" to design sounds great. Although I would want mine to have the capability of doing basic zigzag also. Thats mostly all I use - straight stitch and zig zag! The other 300 stitches are lost on me!
Also, thanks for introducing us to Schnibbles! I took a road trip today and saw some Schnibbles patterns and finished quilts. They are so CUTE. Well yes, of course, I had to buy one. I can't wait to make it.
Yes, Bernina,all sane quilters would love to buy a straight stitch only Bernina. No sideways movements required-just perfection in straight stitching in a dedicated s/s machine, attractively priced, and made in Switzerland.
With that nice 12 inch harp and magnificent lighting, please...you would easily sell this all over the developed world.
Pop a couple of quilting feet into the box, add dual feed,and that knee lifter- and I'd happily sell my first born child for it!