I agree.. a lot of skills transfer from one machine to another, and if your machine isn't working for you after you've taken a class to learn how to use it, there's really nothing wrong with trying another. Understanding how top thread and bobbin tension work together as well as understanding how a variety of stitches work for a variety of sewing tasks is really the basis of basic sewing skills, and it shouldn't be a frustrating process.

I love my Brother machines! If they hadn't been user friendly, I would really have been lost.

How about trading in your Bernina and getting a Viking? Seems like you bonded well with it. A sewing machine is like a car - you have to drive it to know if you like it. And what works for one just doesn't work for another.

I have the viking diamond. It is easy to use...but I leave it for 1/2 of the year. So the learning begins anew each spring!! The people at the store where I bought it are so helpful. If I get stuck on something they walk me through it on the phone. The actual machine is easy...the software for embroidery is what I have trouble with . I do love this machine!!

I don't understand having to go to a class to learn how to use a sewing machine. After you have threaded one, there seems to be little difference in any other machine. At least not the ones I have tried. The different bobbin positions might cause a little angst, but you could learn that quickly from the person who gives you possession of the machine. (Or a friend.)

Having said that, I find that the Bernina manual is the thing that is less than user friendly. I usually am able to pick up things by reading, but in that manual, what I want is hard to find. I have my index all marked up so I can find things that are not listed separately in the index.

I still love my Bernina 440, and have been taking it to classes. I'm still able to lift and carry it....yet.
TODAY I'm on my way to pick up my 1951 anniversary Featherweight! ! ! ! !

i have two Vikings, an older 350 and a tribute 140c (which is a red sapphire...). before i bought the 140c, i was pursuing a bernina like crazy. had one on layaway...that dream went south due to the dealer. but i had taken a class at the dealers and while i really like the bernina 440....once i realized i was not getting the layaway, i bought the Viking. to me, the Viking is very easy and intuitive to use. i do think that different machines work for different people.

I love my Bernina 440 QE. You should watch the CD, look through the manual, and take the free class before you give up on it.

Best advice I can offer is to contact your Bernina store and sign up for GUIDE CLASSES! Bernina's are too expensive to sit idle. Learn it and you'll love it!

My machine is a Bernia 1630 - oldish one. I bought it used but the quilter who owned it was meticulous and kept everything that came with the new machine - including the manual. The dealers in my area looked at me with disbelief on their faces when I asked for help. They said they knew nothing about it and washed their hands of me.

So, I dug out the manual and worked through it page by page, keeping my samples in the book. It is my manual so I taped the important ones to the applicable pages along with any of my written comments. I am beginning to like my 1630. And I am beginning to like what it sews for me.

Good luck. I hope you end up liking yours too.

Pat

They are all good today, some better than others. I just get out my owners manual about once a week and learn something new. Its fun and I am much better acquainted with my machine now