Hi Carol - I've had the husqvarna viking Topaz 20 for about a year and a half. Once I got it working (required a bit of back and forth with a resolution of swap out for a different new machine and the process was a head ache, however that might happen with any piece of computerized equipment)I really enjoyed it. I have the 4D software which was offered half off with purchase and machine was on sale. Do get enough software that you can resize images, change colors of threads, edit images to delete parts (so if you have an image with some line "Grandma knows best" "Happy Valentine's Day" whatever you can delete the line and go for the image). Don't compare costs without including what you need for software. I looked at the Berninas and decided I could get more machine for the money with Husqvarna AND their comparable machine had you plugged into the laptop/computer the entire time the embroidery was stitching out (big designs can take 6 hours and you can't turn off most machines during this process - even the Diamond - as they won't precisely line up when you turn them back on). I didn't want something that expensive highly integrated to a laptop as we all know you have to replace laptops every so many years as operating systems eventually don't support the old one. The Hus has something like a thumb drive to load designs to the machine. If your local group is Bernina you might get more hands on training there which in the beginning is a boon. I know there are some sewing shops other than a JoAnns that sell Hus and wish I'd used one. The one within JoAnns is limited to one staff on duty at a time and they need to sell, not teach. I'd been led to believe up front I'd get much better hands on training than I did. They'll try their best to punt you to buying their instructional DVDs. I'm currently on a mailing list of someone locally to PAY to learn more about the 4D software (which I could do by trudging through its manual but I work full time and that just isn't fun). I've posted a few pictures of things I've done on Facebook's Machine Embroidery Group. Haven't yet found a really active group - but there's a bit more action there than other places. They're discussion tab has a "Let's Share" on machines. Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of Embroidery Projects on FB

I think one of the key things to consider is "follow up service". My sister-in-law has a BabyLock Elegante (sew/embroidery) machine & she got 3 years of annual check ups/servicing. The shop has been available by phone for questions/concerns/problems, and it is a LOCAL well established business. They've given her quick service thus far. Now I have a friend who within the last year purchased a Pfaff embroidery machine. She has had some sort of problem/issue & took the machine in for service. While it is a local shop, the husband of the owner of the shop is the "service tech" & he has another regular full time job. Well, he has the machine "apart", has had the machine in the shop for over 3 weeks, & as far as I know, still hasn't diagnosed the problem. 3 weeks is too long, imo.... and with an unknown end point, who knows how long this basically "new" machine will be out of commission? Both of the examples are pricey... $7000 or so... we're not talking about cheap machines. They are quite complex, computerized devices. Not everyone can service them. Also when/if you go to buy.... negotiate for "extras"... like thread, programs, etc. These things add a lot to your overall costs to owning & operating an embroidery machine. Availability of classes is important, too. Some shops have "embroidery clubs". I think that in all likelihood that most any machine today will be fairly comparable & will "fill the bill" especially if you're new to machine embroidery. But the big difference is "Service after the sale"..... check that out carefully, preferably from other customers.

I have one of these machines: Model 1400; I wouldn never get rid of it. Got it as a gift in 1972, and I have made tons of things using this gem of a machine and attachments. I have a problem now, though. The zig-zag just stopped working. I cleaned the machine and will oil it next. There are no clunks or weird sounds or reactions -- the straight stitch works fine. But when I switch it to zig-zag (or any other settings on that control knob), it just does straight stitch. In a mending project, it worked fine for one item; then just stopped when I tried to do another item. If I move it to adjust the width of the zag, it still just does a straight stitch wherever I move it. Also, another problem that suddenly appeared: loosening the clutch on the wheel does not stop the needle mechanism from going up and down when I want to wind the bobbin. I haven't had it serviced in several years--I rarely use it now--mostly for mending and occasional projects.Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Machines that fetch $20.000 are new industrial machines. The very rare collector's item in pristine condition have dollar value, but there are just too many old sewing machines about and way to few buyers for the value to be very high. In the world of sewing machines, only those made prior to 1900 are "old". On the other hand, these old machines have their advantage over newer ones. They are solidly built and with a bit of time and attention you get them to sew again, and they still do a very good job. The quality is often outstanding compared to new low priced machines, and even if they can't do zigzag or anything other than straight stitches they make a perferct stitch and handle most fabrics with out fuzz. That's why they are still valued as working machines. History and age add to their charm. I can't help much with dating, it would take a bit more research. Does it have reverse stitching? When you get closer to 1940 most models seems to be able to do reverse stitching, but not all. In the 50s built in zigzag became more common, but it has existed at least since the 1930s on a few domestic models like Pfaff 130. For comparison Singer made a updated version of model 99 (straight stitching only) until the late 60s.