Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Who knew I was looking for a sewing machine? Not me! Just a little over a month ago, I wrote about giving the Baby Lock a second chance.

My old Bernina has been in the shop now for over two months and I’m not real sure it’s been looked at.  Hopefully next week I’ll have a spare day when I can go to Kansas City and bring it back home . . still not fixed I suppose.

Thursday when Mom, Dad and I entered the quilt show, we decided to walk over to the far right wall and begin the show there. The second booth I stopped in was the Bernina booth. It was like a big magnet just drew me in there . . wouldn’t allow me to leave before talking to the Bernina folks. I suddenly found myself wanting a new sewing machine. After a few minutes with the nice Bernina lady, we decided the 430 was the perfect machine for me.  Then I decided it was college for Chad or a new sewing machine for me and I walked away without a new sewing machine.

On the next to last row of that same room, there was the Janome booth.  The nice Janome lady showed me all the features.  We decided the Janome 6600 was the perfect machine for me.  Then I decided it was college for Chad or a new sewing machine for me and I walked away without a new sewing machine.

I spent the remainder of the day debating.  33.3% of the time, I decided I didn’t need a new machine.  33.3% of the time, I decided I needed a new Bernina and 33.3% of the time, I decided I needed a new Janome machine.

What on earth do you do when you absolutely cannot make a decision?   I found my friend who was a former Bernina dealer.  I figured if anyone could talk me out of wanting a new Bernina, it should be a former Bernina dealer, right?  Wrong!  She told me she loved the 430 and thought it was a great machine.  Dang it.

Then I needed to talk to Vicky.  She has a similar Bernina.  But, I didn’t have internet access and I didn’t have her number at work.  I called Chad and asked if really wanted to finish college?  Or . . would he prefer that his mom get a new sewing machine.  (I really didn’t ask him that!)  I did ask him to send Vicky an email and ask her to call me please.  Tell her it isn’t an emergency! Here’s the email Chad sent her:

On behalf of my mother, I am passing upon the request that you call her concerning a specific sewing machine. If you find the time could you please call her.

Isn’t that funny?  Talked to Vicky and she highly recommended the 440 . . but I don’t need the BSR so it would be the 430 for me.

My friends had to be sick of hearing about it by now .. What should I do?  Bernina?  Janome?  College for Chad?

In the end, college for Chad won out.  I came home without a machine.  Doesn’t mean I’m no longer debating about what to get.  I pretty much think I want the Bernina 430.  The Janome is a great machine and most everyone I’ve talked to who has it loves it, but as Vicky said, I’m a Bernina girl and it’s really hard to think about loving another machine after having loved my Bernina 1230 so much for so many years.  I’m probably too busy in thenext few months to even think about learning to use a new machine so for now . . the sewing machine dilemma in Paducah kept me from making other purchases and for that, I guess I should be happy.

Seriously, if I get a new sewing machine, Chad can still finish college.  Please don’t think I’m that kind of mother.

I’m headed south to teach and wouldn’t you know it . . there’s not a Bernina dealer anywhere that I’m going to be so no decision can be made til next week.