JoAnn and Lorchen, those of us who've lost our moms know how difficult it is. For better or worse, she instills so much into us. Mine was the "for BETTER" and i'm so thankful.
I agree w/ those who said there's no hurry to decide. I did use money to buy myself a new machine but really only because my mom wanted my daughter to have hers. Well, it wasn't the easiest to use and I believe frustration from learning something new can sometimes be compounded by lack of good tools. So my daughter took my machine and I got a new one. (I still like to use that machine at my daughter's home and even "talk" to it like an old friend. Am I the only one??)

Jo Anne and Lorchen,

I am so very sorry for your losses. I lost my Mom three years ago, and can appreciate how you must grieve. I went through pretty much the same thing. But I waited a few months and then bought a Bernina for my birthday with some money I inherited. I am glad that I waited a bit and thought about it. I didn't have another machine, in fact I did not even sew. I'm glad I did it. Doing something totally different helped me through those tough times. Last week I started making a "Dear Jane" quilt. But mine will be a "Dear Gertrude Jane", as that was my mother's name.

Warm Regards,
Karen

Jo Anne,
When we're grieving it's hard to make great decisions. I decided right after my dad died in April 2006 to take on the quilt show for my guild. It wasn't the best time to take this on however, the benefits for me have been outstanding. I made new friends, I learned a lot and the quilt show was a rousing success.

I'd like to say wait and see how you feel in 6 months. I'd also like to say purchase it now it might be the best thing you've ever done. Who knows? This is a once in a life-time opportunity to buy a Cadillac. You may never use all it's feature but it sure will drive nice and be really purty.

I have a Bernina 1080, I purchased it in 1994 when Bob and I moved to NY. I have never used all of the features on this machine partly because I don't do a lot of decorative clothing construction. I don't even use the zigzag a lot! Truth is we use the features on any machine that suit us well. Ya never know, you may end up using more features on the Bernina than you do with the Elna.

Teri

JoAnne and Lorchen, I'm so sorry to hear you've lost your mothers. That's very hard. My best friend says I'm going to be a basket case when my mother dies, and he's absolutely right. I dread it.

I would go ahead and buy your dream machine while you have the opportunity, JoAnne. So what if you never use all of its features? You'll enjoy the ones you do use. And you'll think of your mother every time you use it. Memories, especially happy memories, are priceless.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, sending you both hugs and positive energy to help you through this sad time
xoxo

Thank you, Kathy and Lorchen. I like Lorchen's idea of putting the money aside and deciding later. Having a Bernina has never been my dream and I am always pretty much happy with whatever I have. DH says I could buy one anyway. I think I just want something to show for receiving this money from my mother. Thanks!
JoAnne

JoAnne, why don't you put enough money for a top of the range Bernina to one side, and then you can decide some time in the future if you really want a new machine or not.

May I send you some very sincere hugs, please! I lost my Mum recently too, and it's not easy to come to terms with the loss.

Lorchen

Joann
So sorry to hear of your mothers passing. I Know she would want you to have something special. I would say buy yourself a Bernina if this is your dream because you deserve this. The chances of owning your dream machine doesn't come along very often. "Treat yourself to something special that you have always wanted" because your mom wouldnt want it any other way. Enjoy! Kathy

My mother died recently and I will inherit some money. I thought that I should buy a Bernina because Mom taught me to sew and I would have something to show for what I inherit. (My DH bought a Porsche when he inherited from his mother.) But, I still cannot bring myself to do this because there is nothing wrong with my Elna and I don't even use everything it can do. Alas, money burning a hole in my pocket, sort of.

JoAnne in southern California, eagerly awaiting Road to California!

If I win the lottery I will buy one of each!! Sew many choices to make and they all have such great features. I tried 5 different ones before choosing the Bernina I did. It was a difficult decision, but price and knowing I could get it worked on nearby were a couple of the big reasons I picked it. Sandi in FL

I think the Berninas are wonderful machines, but just not in my budget range. So, I keep sewing with my dear old treadles most of the time, and once in a while with my less-than-$600 Janome. If I ever win the lottery (which will be difficult, since I don't buy tickets, LOL) I would get a Bernina.

Pat in Rockport, TX, where it's been cold a lot, brrrr.

Whenever I see a sewing or quilting demo, I always want to know what kind of machine they're using. It's interesting to see what the different machines can do.

I have an old (1968) Bernina 730 that I love. I wish it had a needle up/down feature and a blanket stitch, but otherwise it's wonderful and I'll never part with it. I am saving for a Bernina 830, but I'll still keep my old 730 . . . along with my three Featherweights and my Singer 115, 15-91, 99, 128, 127, 20, 40, and 12. I love sewing machines.

I hope Alex and Ricky will continue to mention which model they're using in their demos and what feet and stitches they're using. While it's nice to be generic, there are a lot of people out there with the particular machine they're demonstrating on, and it's nice for those people to hear the specifics. And for the rest of us, it's interesting to hear so we can compare them to the machines we have.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best....."No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

By and large, I kind of think of my machines as my children! Of course they are great, they are MINE!

I have an older Bernina 830 which I sadly don't use alot now b/c I love the needle up/down of my Janome 6600. I love the 6600 b/c of other things, too, but since it doesn't quilt as easily for me, I now am the proud owner of a HQ16.

I never would have dreamed I could have all these types/models, but here I am.

I am so very thankful for Bernina's willingness to sponsor a fledgeling company (TQS) and to provide us all with ALL that we receive from this web site! And yes, I'm grateful to those of you who are able to purchase the higher end machines! You keep it going for those of us who mostly provide enthusiasm! ha

I don't allow myself to feel inferior about not having a NEW Bernina (or an older one either) as the Proof of THIS Puddin' is what I produce with them! And that comes out of my head and my hands - not the motor or presser feet of the machine!

Just my take. Maybe, Sewing Room Window, you can join us in just being thankful for Bernina's sponsorship! Yeah, way to go!!!!

Lynn

I am still using my first sewing machine I bought in 1975--an Elna Super. EVERYONE's machine probably does more than mine, but I am comfortable with it. Eventually I will get a new machine, I just hate having to make that decision. What ever I end up getting I hope it lasts as long.

I don't have sewing machine envy or feel inferior by other's machine choices. I thank Bernina and the other TQS sponsors for supporting this wonderful onsite community.

Lorna