I am fed up with my singer CE200 - i bought it 2nd hand and the lady who had it worked it to death before selling it to me - if only I had done my homework I would not have been taken for a ride. So now after a year of batteling I am getting rid of it. When and if the works it works well but it gives me more problems than pleasure. But what do I buy - my repair man suggested a brother PE 200, I have worked on the brother PE700 but not too impressed and will have to purchase the software and card reader. I have also seen a few Bernina Deco 650 models for sale but do not know anything about the Bernina machines - I can unfortunately not afford to buy new, I thought of selling and saving till I have enough money for a new machine - but what do I do in the meantime? Any suggesttions?

If you have a good dealer that has gently used machines, perhaps you might be able to find a Brother ULT 2001 or 2003. They are great machines and real workhorses. I had the ULT 2001 before I traded it to the 2500D...and actually, the ULT was a more reliable machine..didn't have all the fancy qizmos and buttons, but did the job well. If I can find another ULT, I would buy it in a minute.

i have a bernina and like it ok. it has beautiful stitches but it doesn't have a lot of extras like other machines. the program that you need to convert format to ART (the only thing it reads) is
VERY expensive. many freebie designs are in everything but ART. my first bernina embroidery machine was HORRIBLE. i don't think i ever finished one design i ever started without disgust, but the dealer swapped me out for another machine and it has been smiles ever since.
i have bought used machines from a couple of dealers in this area and they have all been good.
my daughter has bought two brother machines and likes them.
GOOD LUCK, suzy

1 comment

by lexusblu 29 Jun 2010

thanks you

I understand not being able to buy new with the price of the machines today, but if you buy used from a dealer you can usually get a really good deal. Try the husqvarna dealer inside Joanns next time you're in there and see if they have anything that can fit your budget. Usually they come with a 1 year warranty on the used machines and if you sew like the rest of us, if anything is wrong it'll show up pretty quick. I'm not sure about the stand alone dealers whether they have good trade in deals or not. If they don't save for what you really want. Good luck

1 comment

by lexusblu 29 Jun 2010

I am in South Africa ! I will try the dealers and see what used they have.

Hi there I think it is better to save money for a new one . In this time you can ask around and try other machines in the sewing shops there have courses . There you can use different Models and find out which is the best for you.
I have a Brother machine and it is beautiful with me.
Regards elkety