Lorchen, How very exciting! Congrats. My little advice: Have fun...work through the frustration of figuring out the way things have to be done all the way to the other side when you find it such a friend you wonder how you ever did without it. I look forward to seeing what you make with her.

How exciting! Congratulations on the new monster.

Congratulations, Lorchen. What a big step for you. I wish you many happy hours with this machine.

Lorchen, congratulations on your new monster. If you have a great dealer, they won't mind it you call with questions. I have had my 440QE for two years, and I still occasionally call my dealer to ask questions. She also has an embroidery group meeting once a month and teaches us a new technique or project. I go as often as I can. Kind of like a guild meeting. We enjoy each others company and learn at the same time. She has never charged for that either. I think the machines cost enough, so the classes should be free. I love my Bernina and I am sure you will too. It just takes alittle time to get used to the different features. Have lots of fun. Oh, I did go to several shops that sold Berninas before I found a dealer I really liked. One dealer would not even demo the machine for me. I don't go back there! I have to drive an hour to get to my dealer, but it is worth it to have a good dealer.

No advice Lorchen but just lots of happy wishes for you and The Monster! Congratulations!

Thanks to everybody who suggested joining a yahoo group. I had totally forgotten about that.

Pam, right now I just call him 'The Monster' - because that's what the machine is in comparison to the other machines I have owned (Frister and Rossman Cub 4, and Husqvarna Interlude - and both have been great!). It's a bif step up for me.

Lorchen, Congratulations on your new baby. Does she have a name yet Hopefully you have a week or two before you go back to school. Many hours to play with her. Have fun. I look forward to seeing the results.

Congrats!!! Consider joining the free yahoo groups related to your machine. "Bernina Land" covers all modern Berninas. There's a lot of info and support in these groups. The 8 series group has been so helpful to me with my 820.

I've had my Bernina 640 for a year, and there is a learning curve, especially for the embroidery. They do call it a sewing computer for a reason but you'll love it when you get to know it. I follow the Yahoo group for these machines and find some interesting information there too. Enjoy!
Fi

Congrats!! I know you will enjoy your machine. It took me awhile to learn the embroidery side of things with mine,(to far away to take the classes)but, lots of practice and lots of online searching for advice helps. I still have some problems at times, but have learned to do tests on every project before putting in the good fabric! Have fun!! Sandi

WHOO-HOO!! Good for you Lorchen! My best advice is to take any and all of the "guide" classes offered for your machine by your dealer. That will get you comfortable with your machine, then you will be more comfortable trying out stuff on your own.

And don't forget to breathe!!

This is a warning! Whenever I get stuck and need help or advice I'll come here first. You'll all get totally fed up with me.

After several years of saving, trying out, and comparing everything on the market I have swallowed very hard yesterday when handing over all that money, but I am now the owner of a beautiful Bernina 630 with embroidery module. For me that's like stepping up from a push bike to a Rolls Royce. It's totally out of my comfort zone, but I look forward to seriously bond with this 'Monster'.

Any advice before I start?