In Australia the Bernina B990 has a RRP of $22k, whereas the Janome Continental M17 is $25k. Until recently the latter was advertised at that price but is running out at the moment for $15-17k, so it would appear that Janome has something new on the horizon for this space. For sure, the B990 is a nice piece of kit but I recently decided that the B790 Pro is enough for me and I am delighted with my purchase. It is a dream machine. A common reaction to the price tag compares it to a car. My car was purchased 22 years ago for $25k and for the last 3 years it is driven once every 4-6 weeks. I only keep it around so that I can take my pets to the vet. I dislike driving and it's expensive to keep on the road. By comparison, over the last 20 years, I have spent more than that on my non-sewing hobbies. I sew nearly every day, so the purchase price of the sewing machine isn't as bad as it first seems. My Bernina Artista 180 is still going strong after 25 years. If I can get at least 20 years out of the B790, I will be happy.
About a year ago, I put aside my beloved Bernina to buy a Pfaff Creative 4.5, with quilting/embroidery function. Have to say I am sorry I made that transition as the Pfaff is overly complicated and I will never use ¾ of its functions. You also need bespoke bobbins, which means I can't use my 30+ Bernina bobbins in it. But I was prepared to give using the hoop to quilt a go . It's not easy and even seasoned sewists like me need plenty of instruction and education. And to answer your question about why sewing machine manufacturers are steering people into hoop quilting, I think it's because they must have stakes in thread companies, given how much thread one has to use in machine embroidery and quilting. Now I'm pondering how to sell and buy a Janome, after reading your terrific newsletters. No-one here in Australia accepts used machines as trade-ins any more, so we have to sell privately.
I think that $20k sewing machines mean we're at the top of the economic cycle. Or maybe that baby boomers are spending their kids' inheritance?
Thanks for the explainer, though! I'd been wondering what all the hype was about on Berninia's social media. As someone who only sews garments I'm definitely not the target market for this machine.
Another wonderful article. I love Bernina and have owned several over the years. Currently have the 770 QE, B 700, and L860....Yes, just a hobbyist....loved your insight on the new B990.... Thank you!
I think the price of the B990 moves it out of young and most middle age sewists. If you go to any nice quilt shop most of the customers are seniors, like me.
Someone with a young family doesn't usually have time for quilting either. If they sew, they commonly sew clothing for their children. Most basic machines can handle that.
Another thought about quilting in the hoop… My only experience with a quilting machine is with Bernina. They must have made a decision to put their energies in to expanding and supporting machines that can do the quilting through the traditional sit down domestic machines rather than supporting their long arm specific machine options. There’s not one dealer in the Bay Area that sells and, more importantly, supports their long arm machines. It’s probably more cost effective to sell/support domestic machines that can quilt using the embroidery software (which is included with the purchase of the 990). Selling their long arms is one thing, supporting them is drastically another.
Longarms are expensive and they are a one trick pony. A domestic machine for the same price is far more versatile. Quilting in the hoop not only makes quilting possible for those who struggle with free motion quilting, it can be combined with embroidery on quilts.
Just a thought regarding sale and support of longarms, I noticed an Australian retailer of domestic machines recently advertised that it is now accredited to sell Bernina longarms. It was also mentioned that the process was lengthy. So perhaps Bernina only allows its machines to be sold by those who can support them.
In Australia the Bernina B990 has a RRP of $22k, whereas the Janome Continental M17 is $25k. Until recently the latter was advertised at that price but is running out at the moment for $15-17k, so it would appear that Janome has something new on the horizon for this space. For sure, the B990 is a nice piece of kit but I recently decided that the B790 Pro is enough for me and I am delighted with my purchase. It is a dream machine. A common reaction to the price tag compares it to a car. My car was purchased 22 years ago for $25k and for the last 3 years it is driven once every 4-6 weeks. I only keep it around so that I can take my pets to the vet. I dislike driving and it's expensive to keep on the road. By comparison, over the last 20 years, I have spent more than that on my non-sewing hobbies. I sew nearly every day, so the purchase price of the sewing machine isn't as bad as it first seems. My Bernina Artista 180 is still going strong after 25 years. If I can get at least 20 years out of the B790, I will be happy.
About a year ago, I put aside my beloved Bernina to buy a Pfaff Creative 4.5, with quilting/embroidery function. Have to say I am sorry I made that transition as the Pfaff is overly complicated and I will never use ¾ of its functions. You also need bespoke bobbins, which means I can't use my 30+ Bernina bobbins in it. But I was prepared to give using the hoop to quilt a go . It's not easy and even seasoned sewists like me need plenty of instruction and education. And to answer your question about why sewing machine manufacturers are steering people into hoop quilting, I think it's because they must have stakes in thread companies, given how much thread one has to use in machine embroidery and quilting. Now I'm pondering how to sell and buy a Janome, after reading your terrific newsletters. No-one here in Australia accepts used machines as trade-ins any more, so we have to sell privately.
I think that $20k sewing machines mean we're at the top of the economic cycle. Or maybe that baby boomers are spending their kids' inheritance?
Thanks for the explainer, though! I'd been wondering what all the hype was about on Berninia's social media. As someone who only sews garments I'm definitely not the target market for this machine.
Another wonderful article. I love Bernina and have owned several over the years. Currently have the 770 QE, B 700, and L860....Yes, just a hobbyist....loved your insight on the new B990.... Thank you!
I think the price of the B990 moves it out of young and most middle age sewists. If you go to any nice quilt shop most of the customers are seniors, like me.
Someone with a young family doesn't usually have time for quilting either. If they sew, they commonly sew clothing for their children. Most basic machines can handle that.
Another thought about quilting in the hoop… My only experience with a quilting machine is with Bernina. They must have made a decision to put their energies in to expanding and supporting machines that can do the quilting through the traditional sit down domestic machines rather than supporting their long arm specific machine options. There’s not one dealer in the Bay Area that sells and, more importantly, supports their long arm machines. It’s probably more cost effective to sell/support domestic machines that can quilt using the embroidery software (which is included with the purchase of the 990). Selling their long arms is one thing, supporting them is drastically another.
Longarms are expensive and they are a one trick pony. A domestic machine for the same price is far more versatile. Quilting in the hoop not only makes quilting possible for those who struggle with free motion quilting, it can be combined with embroidery on quilts.
Just a thought regarding sale and support of longarms, I noticed an Australian retailer of domestic machines recently advertised that it is now accredited to sell Bernina longarms. It was also mentioned that the process was lengthy. So perhaps Bernina only allows its machines to be sold by those who can support them.
As someone who has a 990 on order, I was very happy with your article. Yes: I am spending my kids’ inheritance!