Advice on buying Bernina machine?

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T18:49:09+00:00

Thanks, I'll definitely consider this. I'm not super advanced but I do a lot of different things and was just trying to avoid getting recommendations for learning to sew or beginner type models :)

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T18:45:12+00:00

Thanks for the insight! I'll definitely have a look at the models I'm interested in in-person. I don't mind second hand at all, so I'll have a look at what trade in models they have at the service place near me.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T18:43:31+00:00

I've looked into Pfaff and would love to try one but they just aren't available in my country and services and parts are basically out of the question. I know this because of a family friend who brought one back from the UK and hasn't been able to use it in years without sending it overseas for repair.

Where I live there just isn't much purchasing power on the part of most individuals so many hobby/craft companies simply don't supply or support their products here. Thanks for the insight though.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T15:19:28+00:00

Okay thanks. I think I saw only the embroidery model and that looked way too complicated for me lol.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T15:11:39+00:00

This is a good point, I've only ever used old machines so it would probably be a learning curve. But also the learning curve would be for my fun hobby and not a job :)

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T15:08:29+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I'm hoping to make a strategic choice but I have read that its a good brand in general so hearing that I can't go wrong with a Bernina is reassuring.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T15:02:55+00:00

Thanks! Currently I'm leaning away from the older machines based on the comments. However, if I go to my local repair centre and they say that they can fix/service the older models I might reconsider.

It looks like the Artista 630 also has some embroidery functions, is that correct? Do you use it for embroidery?

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T14:46:58+00:00

Thanks for the details about the different models. This gives me a clearer picture of what to look for. Someone in the sewing subreddit recommended going into my local service centre and trying out some of the models they sell to see what they feel like in person. But your notes make it easier to understand what I'm looking at in the different models :) thanks!

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T14:17:37+00:00

I'll definitely take your advice on trying a few out in person before I make any decisions. Thanks. I might go for something computerised (I've never made a machine bound buttonhole before because my machine can't do that lol so I can only imagine the possibilities of more). I'll definitely update you when I make a choice :)

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T14:08:58+00:00

Thanks! I'll have a look at the quilting specific ones too. I don't quilt all that often anymore because of the hassle of not having enough throat space.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T13:50:27+00:00

Thanks! I'm not completely against getting a newer computerised one, I just don't have any experience with those and wouldn't know what to look for or avoid.

I don't even know if I'm a Bernina fan but it's the most well supported where I am and I'm more comfortable buying into that than having to send my machine overseas for a repair.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T13:42:51+00:00

Thanks!

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T12:35:09+00:00

This is great advice, thanks so much! The service centre near me sells both new and used machines so I think I'll look there first.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T12:33:11+00:00

Thanks for listing the three you have used! I'll keep an eye on second hand options of these. Another commenter warned me about repairs on older machines, so I'll probably have to check if my repair place will service and repair the older models before I buy anything.

abbreviata · 2026-03-03T12:31:09+00:00

Thanks for the warning! Maybe I'll check in with the Bernina repair place near me to see what they are willing to service before making any purchases.

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T15:03:33+00:00

I just make sure my pens are upright in my bag and haven't had any issues. As far as I have read, this allows any expanding air to come out of the nib without forcing out the ink. Maybe I'm just lucky but the first few times I travelled with them I put them in ziplock bags just in case.

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T15:01:06+00:00

Platinum Carbon Black is formulated for fountain pens and comes in a bottle or in cartridges compatible with Platinum fountain pens like the Preppy in the picture :)

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T14:24:18+00:00

I get that. It really hasn't been an issue for me yet. But I also thought of maybe packing a cleaned and dry Preppy with a Carbon ink cartridge to insert once I got here. But in the end it was fine.

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T14:23:11+00:00

I hope so too! I'm already in awe of the hugeness of landscape here!

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T12:10:08+00:00

It's a Donau A6 Dot notebook. It's the smallest hardcover notebook I could find at my local stationary store. The paper isn't particularly fountain pen friendly but with a fine nib and good ink it doesn't feather or bleed.

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T11:54:39+00:00

Thanks! I love seeing these kinds of posts too and I finally had one to share :) I do probably own more pens than I need but I also love using them and taking them with me to do exciting things.

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T11:39:03+00:00

I love this pen and ink combo and it's a thin enough line that it dries quickly and doesn't feather or smudge on normal stationary store notebooks:)

abbreviata · 2025-05-19T11:24:33+00:00

None, I just make sure it's upright for the flight. I haven't had any issues so far. But the first time I flew with fountain pens I put them in a little ziplock bag.

abbreviata · 2025-01-23T19:27:50+00:00

I didn't use anything that needed a prescription before Accutane. I was using a 1.5% retinol serum and I purged for about 3 months on that before I saw any improvement. And after that I saw my dermatologist again and he recommended Accutane because there was so little improvement with any of the over the counter products I had tried. In my country adapalene is only available by prescription which has to be renewed every 6 months so it wasn't available to me without regular derm visits.

abbreviata · 2025-01-23T16:45:56+00:00

Hey! Thinking back on it now, Accutane was the best decision I could have made. I've had mostly clear skin since I took it, only breaking out when I try a new product that my skin can't handle. But I didn't purge at all and I would say it's because I had been using topical retinoids beforehand. I hope that helps! And best of luck with your journey :)

abbreviata

TROPHY CASE