Can anyone offer an opinion on this sewing machine Bernina Bernette 82e

[dollonamusicbox]

here

I have seen it for £259 but linked this one because it has more info.

Its for my first and probably only machine.

I want to make curtains, cushions, soft toys, dd's clothes and general household embelishments.

I don't want too expensive fancy because its for making things that I want rather than making them for the enjoyment of making them so, whilst I hope to enjoy it, I'm not going to be using it for hours a week iyswim. Conversly, because I'm probably not going to upgrade I want something that will see me out and isn't too ricketty basic.

I have a good sewing machine shop near me but they only sell brother/janome. I have heard good things about Bernina but as lots of them are £££££££££ I don't know if the cheapo machines have the good rep of the pricey ones.

This one is over at the top end of my budget.

I have a 40 yr old Bernina and would not replace it for a younger machine (well except for maybe one that does one step buttonholes)
That is of no use what-so-ever to you though is it?

You might get better answers in The Sewing Forum

and I often visit here if you scroll down, there is lots of advice about buying your first machine.

As your are buying a Bernette and not a main range bernina; (they are mega bucks) I dont know if you are paying a premium for the brand - I wonder if you would get better value for money with another brand?

Be warned - I only started sewing properly this summer and am totally addicted!

Thankyou.

I have joined the sewing forum but I'm not allowed to post yet (they are very strict).

The general feeling seems to be the Bernettes aren't Bernina quality but nobody seems to actually have one and I do wonder if the same machine didn't have the Bernina label would it be regarded as rubbish on its own merits or as a decent budget machine. Its very confusing as for everyone who loves their Bernina/Brother/Husqvarna there will be someone else who says avoid.

A chap did post who was looking at the same model as me and he didn't get it because of the lack of reviews. He went for the Husqvarna Emerald 116 which seems to be well thought of.

I have found a Husqvarna Emerald 122 with £100 off (£239 instead of £339) and I might go for that.

I did a beginners sewing course and the teacher had been using Husqvarna for over 25 years and loved them.

If you go through the MSE link (its over 200 pages though) there is lots of talk about buying sewing machines and a couple of places and machines reccomended.

The sewing forum - you should get a link in your email, then have to introduce yourself on the "newbies" board and then you should be able to post.

Try and get to a shop where you can have a little play before you buy.

Personally I would avoid any of the newer lighter weight machines, in favour of a good reconditioned old one, especially a Bernina :)

Bernina a brilliant, loved mine, as it was a good old solid work horse & rarely had any hiccups, but the bernettes look a bit lightweight to me in comparison, so personally I wouldn't waste my money on one.

I've worked on so called all singing, all dancing, newer light weight machines, & HATED them, & IME you'll find you only ever use the basic functions anyway, so probably wasting your money on any fancy stitches etc

I do tend to prefer working on industrial machines though, so maybe if you're a less experienced sewer something like this wouldn't be too bad, but as you mention wanting to make curtains etc, I suspect after a short while you'll soon get fed up with it bouncing across the table away from you if you try & pick up any speed.

Most machine shops stock reconditioned models, with garantee, I'd recommend having a play on some of those too

Is it worth going to a John Lewis and talking to the ladies there? They usually give good advice. I had a Frister & Rossman that I'd had for 20 years when I went on a sewing course and used a Janome for a day......trouble was it cost £700, but it's brilliant.