Amo, I think it's a really good idea for you all to have a thread about supplies in the UK. US quilters on TQS might like the info for when traveling. I am working as the co-chair for door prizes for my quilt guild this year and I get to go to about eight quilt shops each month! It's really alot of fun, but it gets expensive--I am always buying from shop to shop! I am VERY thankful for the shops we have here! Judy in Torrance, California

Ooooo Anne! Not going to slag a place off in the public of the internet but to start with, nothing that a good clean would help start to cure.

Certainly has been good going through the DVD and I've now done all the little tutorials with Nina and Susan on the website and, even though I've watched them several times before, they sort of make a bit of sense now! Amazing

My first hobby is the garden (and I'm RHS) and I've always wanted to do the big shows but as yet haven't had the group to go with. One day! And I couldn't even tell you where my LQS is. I haven't looked around for a physical one, I'm very much an internet shopper, and the ones I used to know are long gone. We do have Hobbycraft but it can be pricey and as it's catering for every craft under the sun, the choice can be a little utilitarian. Mind you it was rather nice actually having a touchy feely (and buy!!) at the little show yesterday. Aren't we all a bunch of magpies!!!

I have just one slight hiccup at the moment. The room I use to work in is being carpeted along with the entire upstairs this week and so I've set the new machine up on the dining table. You can imagine the chaos that's made as well as clearing the decks for the fitters! Oh well, time will out.

Do you think we should ask for a UK thread where we can as UK questions? Not sure how many regular UKers there are but I wanted to know who uses which web sites, which UK suppliers supply which materials etc. I'm sooooo out of all this. I really enjoy this website and spend far too much time gathering information but it is a whole different ball game over here for supplies. You are so lucky in the US!!

Good idea to go through dvd etc. first, I always do this anyway, in some ways I seem to enjoy reading the book more than the doing!!!! not really of course but I like to get the overall picture first. Yep. some stuff done on teacher training course, but I knew more than the teacher! and there is always something more to learn, you know, those hints and tips that familiarity brings, I have only had my 630 just over two years and finances didn't really stretch to 730 at time as new one wasn't on the horizon so no deals were available, and, even so, didn'tthink I would need the more advanced machine. I am going to malvern without my dh! oUR lqs is running a coach, by the way, its called Midsommer Quilting in Chilcompton, you might of heard of it as it is fab and visitors go from all over the world. anyway, have to get dressed and go shopping for food!
Best of luck
Lynn

Amoret wrote:
Okay, Amoret, curiosity is killing me! What happened at the first shop that was so bad?

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

Thank you ladies. I’m soooo excited I’m amazed I slept at all!! I’m glad I had the chance to go through the DVD and paperwork first rather than jumping on the machine straight away really. Hopefully I’m a little better quipped when I first sit in front of it on my own.

Littleflower I’ve been happy dancing since Hubby said I could buy whatever I wanted but now my feet aren’t even touching the floor! It’s such a good feeling!

And he is the most wonderful Lorchen and no he hasn’t got a brother!!

I’m stunned how comfortable I felt at it Sue. Mind you, Linda was a very competent lady and knew the machine inside out and she came across very well too. I’m sure, with more than a little help from this forum, as well as the shop, I will be churning things out, time permitting of course.

Hi Lynn! You’re a Tech teacher!! Isn’t it part of your training?????? That feeling of ‘I wish I had bought’ is one I didn’t want and I know I won’t get it about the 830. I’m going to struggle using all of the 730. To be honest though, I think the whole range from top to bottom are good machines and you couldn’t really go wrong.

Hadn’t even thought of Malvern!! Hubby has a bad time with crowds and we have dogs to think of as well but I will talk it over with him. Keep in touch if you hear of anything else threadish down this end though too. I have found two other textile exhibitions on this weekend down here as well as the little one at Brockenhurst so I’m going to make a day of it. Well for as long as I can stop myself from bring the machine home to play with that is.

I am so happy for you! This is a wonderful machine. Some things take getting used to, but keep looking in the forum if you have an issue, or ask! Woooooooooooo Hooooooooooo!
Susan

Well, you lucky thing, I am sure you will be very happy with it, I wished I had bought it after I had my 630 a couple of months, still, I do love mine and it will do for me until I win the lottery!!!!!! Talking of shows, are you going to go to Malvern? I am going on Thursday 14th May, if you are about then we could arrange to meet up, if not, perhaps at another event. Let me know anyway.

With envy,
Lynn LOL

Congratulations, Amo!

You now have a super machine AND a very supportive husband!

Lorchen

Amoret wrote:
No, I didn't do the course as they were always on when I was at work, and as a teacher, I don't think the school would be too impressed if I took the day off!!!! I would be though! Still some people say they were very good, especially if a Bernina is new to you. Let me know if you go and how you got on.
Lynn

happy dancing with you!

Well WOW WHAT A DAY!!!! Fandabulocious!!

I'm a Bernina Mummy! YAY!!

Dearest Hubby took me across town, appalling traffic, to my nearest dealer. Well, the less said the better but I will NOT be going back there!! I still shudder.

After a trek back, yet more horrific traffic, I ring Bernina (UK) to ask for my nearest dealers. A choice of 4 came up, other than the one I'd already visited, and, after a quick phone call Hubby whisks me off to Eastleigh.

Well, what a lovely lady Linda is there and a smashing shop she has to boot. I sat and played with the 730 and was shown all sorts. The 640 didn't even get a look in! It was like I melded with the machine, no worries at all. Whilst there the first 830 came in, but I didn't want to go there!! That is one BIG machine!

Anyway, the 730 is mine. It's the ex demo as they are becoming scarce now the price has fallen and so it need the once over before I could take it home. It turns out there is a local to me needlework show tomorrow that they will be showing at and I will pick it up there. Of course there will be loads of other stuff that I may have to buy too.

I can not believe that a day that hit rock bottom this morning has me on such a high now!! I have the DVD's and books for the machine here so I will be going through them. The good confident feeling I had from Linda was wonderful and I can't recommend them enough.

And it all happened so fast!! Thank you all for your replies and help with pointers.

Now to get these things out of my head and down onto fabric!!!!!!

I know when I upgrade to my first REAL machine... I out grew it after year. My interest, my skills expanded so fast with that first machine. ( 20 years ago.)

I think it will depend upon how serious you are planning to be...

Plan to crank out award winners?

Are you a hobby sewer?

Do you plan to investigate every avenue and patterns available ?

... do you have 20-30 more years of sewing in your life?

Or will health and vision issue rob you of being able to sew alot in the near future? Do you have glucoma or retina issues?

How much can you really afford and still be able to retire?

Is quilting an income earner?

Do you teach quilting or are you the forever student?


Who will get the sewing machine when you have to stop sewing ?? Mine will go to my daughter who is a wanna be quilter... mother and college student.

These are the questions I asked before I got my 440 QE... I am 60 but I think my vision will only allow maybe 15 years more of good sewing.

I also have TECH issues as I find am no longer as quick to learn how to operate these newer machines and often have to relearn stuff cause I do not remember.

My budget is going to be strained til this machine is payed off by the end of the year...... and buying the 880 was just out of the question for me.

And one more thing, don't think that is too much machine for you...you know Bernina makes learning very accessible!

Go for the biggest, the best you can afford. I bought the 730E on a great deal I couldn't resist and have not looked back. I couldn't afford the 830, knowing it would take a new sewing cabinet, too. I hope you get the big girl. If you don't use the embroidery now, you will in the future!

By the way, the one thing the 730 won't do is needlepunch.