by Roma Lightsey

Created on: February 24, 2009

Anyone who enjoys sewing and has labored on a cheaper quality machine dreams of upgrading to one of the computerized machines, many of which also do embroidery. When sewing becomes more than just a casual hobby, it's time to research investing (and at those prices, it's an investment!) in a better machine.

The main difference in a name-brand high end machine such as Bernina, Babylock, or Husqvarna and a machine you would buy at Walmart is quality. Compare a Mercedes to a Yugo, and you get the idea. While cheap machines can be great to learn on and discover whether or not you would actually benefit from a better machine, a high-end machine will help your sewing achieve a professional, store-bought look.

High-end machines are much heavier than their cheaper cousins, and are loaded with features. Even a lower-cost high-end machine typically comes with several feet, including a zipper foot, buttonholer, and various specialty feet. There may be dozens of built-in stitches, both decorative and functional, memory capabilities to help you save a favorite stitch pattern, among other features. My personal quest for the perfect machine involved 5 years of research, test-driving machines, and picking dealer's brains to see what kind of support is offered.

A must is great dealer support. My Bernina 430E is a completely different sewing experience than my other old junk machines I'd used all my life. It didn't even thread the same as others, so classes are a must. I chose my Bernina due to the proximity to my home (still an hour's drive away), and the fact that I would get unlimited free classes on my machine, software, and embroidery. My dealer has been great, and I can call with a question or problem. I've had my machine almost 2 years, and I'm now starting a software class.

Another big selling point besides dealer support was the fact that my machine was on sale for about $500 off, and I could buy it with 12 months interest-free financing. Makers of these awesome machines are well aware of their price, and most of the time you can get a good financing deal. Especially with today's economy, look for competition between the makers. Top of the line offerings can be very expensive-the new Bernina 830, which will only be a twinkle in my eye, retails for around $12,000. Buy only the amount of machine you need. If you've never sewn before, you don't need to start out with a machine that costs as much as a car.

I chose my machine because it did everything sewing and embroidery-wise

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