I spent about one month looking for a new top of the line sewing machine that would also do embroidery. I went to every shop within a 3 hour drive and looked at every machine that fit this description and some models that had less features than I wanted. After 3 weeks I had it narrowed down to the Janome 1500 and the Bernina 780. It was a very difficult decision as I really wanted the Bernina's stitch regulator and its elongated stitches. I finally decided on the Janome even though I could have gotten group lessons at two of the Bernina dealers which I think I would have enjoyed. They did some popular designers such as Hoop Sisters.
But for integrity and knowledge of the machine there was no beating Dave, the owner of Bittersweet Fabrics. Many of the other dealers I encountered had some very negative things to say about other brands of machines. When it came to Singer, whose machines have plastic inserts, I could see the point, but when you compare a top of the line Janome, Bernina, Pfaff, etc. those are all very good machines with (usually) good support and to try to make them as not as good as the brand you are pushing is to me, not a legitimate way of doing business. Yes, you can state the features your machine has over theirs but please don't try to tell me that their machines are poorly made, etc. as I know it's a lie. Dave at Bittersweet fabrics did tell me to make sure that I didn't buy a machine whose innards are all plastic but he did acknowledge (as did a very few others) that there are other brands with good machines.
He and Kenetha (who teaches the lessons) are very friendly and all around nice people. They're the type of people I'd like to be if I could be anyone. They go over and above making sure that you understand everything about the machine. Dave gives tips on how to select the perfect thread, even favorably mentioning those that he doesn't sell (!) in order to give you an understanding of what makes a good thread vs. a thread that will give you problems. They both go out of their way to ensure that my experience is a valuable one for me by listening to what I'm interested in and then addressing concerns that I have.
They do not have a large selection of fabrics but they do have a large selection of Janome machines. They have stabilizers, threads, feet, and other items that you'd need at prices lower than what I've found online.
My shopping experience was very positive. If they had a large selection of fabrics the store would probably be so crowded that it wouldn't be a pleasant shopping experience. I say this because I've been there three times during the week and all three times there have been women dropping off their machines for cleaning and picking them up. They do an amazing business. Some have brought in machines they've purchased online and they ask Dave to clean them up and fix them. He is a wealth of information and I was very impressed that he spent so much time with people who didn't even buy the machines from him. He explains how to use the machine and gives all kinds of tips. The fact that they do such a great business is a refection of their great service and expertise.
I will continue to think of this as my local quilt shop even though it takes me over two hours to go there. This is my dealer now. I have been to other shops with good repair people who were helpful but no one compares to the service that Dave provides.
I would definitely recommend that anyone who can go to this shop for a Janome machine do so. His price was $1000 less than the "lowest" price from other shops and New Hampshire does not have sales tax. One shop wanted me to pay the higher price and take the machine that they were using to demo! Dave gave me a new in box machine and then ensured that I knew what I needed to know to operate it. He made sure that the machine was in perfect running order once we opened the box. This machine comes with an IPad. He told me that the newer machines would have an IPad mini (none of the other dealers knew this) and gave me the option of the regular Ipad or the Ipad mini. One of the other shops told me the Ipad was no longer included.
He is one of the top Janome dealers and it's no wonder as he combines the lowest prices with LIFETIME private lessons. I had no problem scheduling the lessons I've taken and don't think there would be a problem in the future. They like private lessons as they acknowledge that everyone is at a different level and they don't want to waste the time of those who are at different levels by making them take the same class.
I know I could go on and on. I'm happy to have found a great dealer with low prices and fantastic service. I think everyone who goes there would be happy too. That's the impression I get from my trips there. I highly recommend them. read more
