LOL! Before I stared using vellum for pping I just left the paper in the seams. No one knew but me and the quilts didn't seem any worse for wear.

love my Bernina. Have had it 12 years. HOWEVER, I agree they are very pricey. If you found something better and less expensive, all I can say is good going...wish I had

Brother's do have very good bang for the buck. I didn't like the way the foot hopped when FMQing on the NX 2000 though. I thought for sure that would be the machine I got... The Dreamweaver's were much more expensive than I thought they would be, based on Brother's previous TOL machine pricing.

I actually do own a Bernina now, but only because it was an amazing bargain when I bought it. It came with a free embroidery module, where the Brother deal was a free serger, which I already have. I always regret not going and asking if they would have thrown in a low end embroidery machine instead. But like I said- the hopping issue. The Bernina foot runs more smoothly over the fabric, but of course, that is personal preference. I did love how the NX 2000 came with every accessory imagingable.

I don't think there is one best brand. Quite honestly, every brand, Viking, Babylock, Bernina, Brother, Janome, (did I forget some) makes high quality machines, and I would take one from any of those brands at the comprable level to my Bernina.

I've learned that one more thing about moving from Las Vegas to Denver is that I wasn't close enough to go to Road this year and I've very sad. :(

I am envious!! I usually go to road with several friends but no one could go this year. I am not able to be on my feet and walk all day so with no one to push me in my wheel chair.......

I love going to that show. It is so much fun to see all the beautiful quilts and fun new "tools" and to play with the Long Arm machines!!!! I am bummed that I am missing it. We usually go on the Friday (today). I have never taken classes there, I keep thinking that I will someday. But it would mean a hotel room for a couple of nights which then makes it quite expensive!

I have a Bernina, I love it!!!

i am a bernina lover my first machine and still my fav.. of course it is not a new one it was one i bought to see if i would even like to sew well now i do and have 3 other machines but the bernina is my old faithful and one i feel most comfortable with... so glad there are machines for everyone...

Thats funny because out of the 3 FMQ feet I like the hoping foot, it actually was my favorite to use on the espire

Yeah this was my favorite, I'm an ocean girl at heart despite the fact that I work no where near the ocean and my marine biology degree is hard at work working with dogs and cats. I just love sea turtles, did a project on them in 8th grade, and am still facinated by them. This quilt is so beautiful, wish I could see a site like this in real life.

I love my two Berninas and wouldn't trade them for any other brand. I teach new quilters and at our LQS I see all different brands in my classes. Yes, Berninas are pricey, but they are fabulous machines. I have found over the years that the people who try quilting and quit are usually people who have very low price point machines that don't sew straight seams well or handle the multiple layers of quilting well. They get discouraged because their machines frustrate them. There are many great brands and models of machines out there, but I say go for the best you can afford, take your machine mastery classes as many times as you need to, and have fun!

I got Cynthia England's book and a kit last year at Roads. Still haven't tried to do it. ;) Went this year on Thursday..... my new HQ Sweet Sixteen will be delivered this coming week!! WooHoo!!!!:thumbup: Can't comment on the Bernina discussion since my other 2 machines are Janomes.