Kekaha, the surge protector is an excellent point! We spend thousands of dollars on our sewing machines, or even if we haven't, it would probably cost thousands to replace it, so buying a high end surge protector is cheap insurance! I actually have mine plugged into a huge unit/box (not just a strip) that is protecting my sewing machine and my computer. (It will allow me to keep sewing for a few more minutes, after the power has gone out, and then I can safely shut down both sewing machine and computer.) My iron and Ott light are plugged into a regular surge protector strip. I almost lost a machine at a quilt retreat, because I hadn't taken my surge protector strip. We were having intermittent power, and the computerized sewing machines do NOT like that!

Kathy and Marilyn, I'm still learning when and when not to use my thread cutter. It really is a cool option, and I think it will be great for piecing! If I ever get to the point where I don't knot and bury the tails in my quilt while quilting, I may try the auto thread cut. But, I am assuming that means I need to start and end with a few small stitches?

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Good advice Kekaha. Not that I have such a high falutin type of machine, I am wondering about looking out for one.

No matter what machine you buy, make sure you plug it to a good surge suppressor. My Oliso iron and my Bernina had issues at the same time. Computers need the protection and the new machines are essentially computers with the added stress of vibration and heat. All of the added features are wonderful but they can also add to maintenance. I

I love the BSR and the quilt stitch menu.

Hardly ever use the thread cutter...and I bring my threads to the top when quilting !

hi dawn, i only use the thread cutter when quilting. I turn the quilt over once in a while and trim off those little thread tails, the main advantage to me for using the thread cutter is that I don't have to turn the quilt to the back and cut the bobbin thread each time. that way I don't risk snipping the back! Kathy

Getting back to the meat of this thread, I have had a chance to try out many functions of my new machine. I now know why so many of you listed the needle threader as a favorite function. That is sooooo sweet! Never having had one before, it is sheer bliss! But, when I do embroidery, and change out threads many times, I will push all of these buttons at the top of my machine, and then try to sew. The one button I frequently forget to push is the needle threader. I'm sure that will come with time.

The automatic thread cutter feature is also wonderful. But, I found I do not like how the machine pounds the tails every which way on the backside, where I've started an embroidery. I know it is not a problem if the embroidered piece is sandwiched, but I also have some quilting designs (sort of) and might not use them because they would leave the backside of my quilt not as neat as I would like.

I agree with others that there is no perfect machine. Each machine has something it does better then the others, and something it is really bad at. (But, we are afraid to admit it, and will defend it until its dying day!)

Thank you all, for all of your comments! It has been informative!

Terri, I'm glad you back is better, and a belated Happy Birthday to you!

Dawn,
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Happy Birthday Terri. Sounds like you had a good day. And take care of your back. Happy to hear it is better after a night's rest.

Thank you everyone for all the birthday and Easter wishes, we went to my brothers, out in the country, for a lovely visit and Easter dinner. We both pitched in with the dinner preps and it was so good. I really enjoy myself there and of bourse it was late when we got home last night so I am dragging a bit today...my backache went away after a good nights sleep so I think it was from cutting out material on the diningroom table. It's just too low for my back.

I managed to get a few things sewed up this past few days and still have a long way to go on my quilt but I am not rushing it or I will have a mess and I don't want that.

How's was everyone's Easter? I sure hope it was warm and welcoming for you..

As ever,
Terri

Happy belated birthday, Terri! Hope your Easter was good and your back is much better today. I, too, have an overwhelming amount of projects going. I have a sign hanging in my kitchen that reads "Never Enough Thyme". Think I should move it to my sewing room!

Happy Birthday & Easter, Terri! I always have a million projects going. Just have to decide which project to work on now....

Happy Easter & happy Birthday to you Terri.

And if you have been standing working at a 'short' table - yep that is the probably cause of your backache., hot bath and don't do it again (it is not worth the aggro)

No it's morning

Thank you for the Birthday wishes Barb and Twiglet. I kind of hurt my lower back somehow either yesterday or this morning but I am not too sure what I did unless it's from bending over slightly cutting my material up. Has this happened to anyone else? Actually I just thought of that as I was writing it but that might just be what it is from because I have been cutting on the dining room table and it is a bit short for that kind of work so perhaps...oh it isn't too bad you know just good and achy. Anyways off to bed so have a good night!

Terri

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday too Terri!

From Barb in sunny Southern California.