Who would have ever dreamed a sewing machine would cost what it does today? I almost think that machine companies have 'jumped the shark'.
Years ago it Singer was the company leader in machines. But as times change, so do customers. We demand more from what was a 'basic' machine.
I will stay with my 440 for awhile, since it took my 30+ years to decide to use something different then my Singer.

My motto...it's a hobby...stick with what I can afford. I don't sew or quilt as a career....so I don't need to go into debt for a machine.
By the way...I saved up for my 440. I hoarded my rebate money, food coupon savings and birthday/Holiday gift money.
I simply enjoy what I have and not dwell on what I don't have.

FW

It seemed to me that all the mfrs came out with a huge new machine last year, Pfaff, Viking, Brother, all came out with huge machines that are at least $8,000.

While at JoAnn's, where there's a Viking dealership that I bought my $1,400 machine from, I jokingly asked her if she'd sold any of the new ones and she said they sold something like 8 in the first week.

I don't know who is buying these machines and where the money is coming from in this economy, but if they sell, the companies will continue to make them. I does seem, though, like they think they have to make a bigger better machine every other year or so. When will it ever stop!? Perhaps in a year or so, these now new machines will get traded in and we'll get them used for less!

Nancy in western NY

Before I even looked at the price tag I just couldn't get over what a huge lump of a machine it is! :shock: When space is a premium that has to be considered. I have a large room to use but the machine has to share with so many other things too as you all are far too familiar with, cutting and working surface is usually a big start point.

I only had a basic machine at home so any periferals would have been needed and an extra lot of costs to add on I'm sure and you just know that new bits would be added that only fit that one machine as time moves on.

As you say Eileen, we've survived this long...............!

I have to put in my 2 cents here. I think the sewing machine companies are getting way out of line with the pricing. If it keeps up, fewer and fewer people will buy and the companies will downsize and where will that leave all of us??
Why can't our hobbies be something we can afford to do? Don't you think our quilting foremothers are spinning in their graves? What happened to making do?
eileenkny

I test drove an 830 the other day because I wanted to enter the Bernina drawing for the 820. The 820 wasn't functioning that day. It actually made me happy with my 730. Yep, it's got some great features, but no $8000 worth. That giant embroidery hoop on the 830 is an addition $400 to $500. Otherwise, our mega-hoop is the same as the largest hoop on the 830. I'd have to buy another cabinet, too, because the 830 sits way too high on top of all the standard sewing cabinets & it's too big to just get another insert made. So whew, instead of dreaming about spending a lot of extra money, I bought Diane Gaudynski's feather embroidery designs. They stitch out phenomenally well.

I am pretty happy with my upgraded 200E (making it a 730), and my older 1240, but I would also LOVE to have the 830. I do love the embroidery feature, especially now that I have learned a lot about drawing and digitizing my own designs. That larger hoop on the 830 really would be nice! True, it isn't hand embroidery, but that's a different thing altogether--sort of like apples and oranges--and I do both. Having the embroidery module just adds more options--like embroidering nice butterflies on my grand-niece's quilt I was trying, and thus able, to make in just a few days. (I followed that with free-motion echo quilting around the butterflies), or working out the facial features on appliques on a Nativity quilt in my embroidery software and then using that. Also, I have used it from time to time to quilt some things that need to be particularly precise to look good--not the whole quilt, just a small spot here and there. So, yes, if i could afford it, I'd buy an 830 in a minute. But I am quite blessed with what I have now--maybe I'll win the lottery--gosh, maybe I should buy some lottery tickets. hehehe.

After viewing the website of the newest Bernina machine, I headed to the nearest dealership to check it out. The price was way out of my range (about $11,000.00 with trade in), but it got me thinking of trading my Bernina 150 in for something in between. After two visits, I traded it in for a newer model ( this had upgrades added from the previous owner). Now I have a machine that will take me in directions my older one couldn't.

I test drove the 830 - fab - retails $12,999 at Meissner's in Sacramento. The 820 is coming out in June and they want $7,400. I'm saving my pennies and plastic bottles. I'm not interested in the embroidery option at all but love the bigger throat, bobbin, BSR etc.

Bymachine just bought an 830, and she says she paid $12K, which included the table. That doesn't seem so bad. (See the "New Bernina" topic.)

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, saving my pennies

Thank you to all of you for your input. There must be a market for sewing machines at this price, otherwise, companies wouldn't keep putting them out on the market. This new Bernina is way out of my reach but I absolutely love making quilts and will continue to do so. Those that can afford it, more power to you! Thanks for listening........ Connie in California

The new 830 sounds awesome...but the price is enough to scare anyone away. I thought my 440 QE was the Cadillac and the 830 must be the Rolls Royce. Sure would like some of the new features ...such as the dual feed ...thread cutter...pop out bobbin...new needle threader...but I think i will just satisfy myself with what I've got and try to learn more of the embroidery features. I'm still working on the monogram towels for Christmas, but think I'll take a break and get to my July BOM...Really enjoy reading the different forums. Nan F in Massena, NY

I didn't buy the embroidery attachment for my 435. I, too, like to hand embroider. I think the cost of the new machine is WAY out there! It will be interesting to see how well it's received. I have no intention of buying another machine--unless I find a really good buy on another Featherweight!!!

If I ever want to do away with DH, I will spend that kind of money on a sewing machine. He would have a stroke and a heart attack combined. If I won the lottery, I'd do it in a heart beat but chances of that are 0 to none. Obviously there is a market for that out there so more power to those that can afford it.

I was in at my dealer today and asked. The 820 here is to retail about $7000 canadian. That's without the embroidery unit. In my dreams.

Cher in BC