What a helpful bunch you are!

I've been flooded with suggestions since posting about my wonderful birthday present of a choose-your-own sewing machine. You gave me brand names (hello, Bernina!), suggestions about which functions to get, and even links to incredible sewing superstores in Melbourne.

Inspired by your endless ideas, I began to expand m
y list of features that I wanted in my ideal sewing machine. These included an automatic threader, an automatic cutter, a speed-control function, a top-loading bobbin, great stitch tension, a variety of fun stitches (because I have to learn the hard way that I'm never going to use them!!), and, of all the strange things, the ability to embroider patterns that I've designed on my computer. Why? Why not!

I spent hours in a sewing store, annoying staff with zillions of questions and sewing up a storm on a variety of machines. At the end of the day, I left with my brand new baby girl, Charlie...



A Brother Innovis 900. Unfortunately for Bernina, Husqvana, Janome and Juki, they just couldn't offer me this exciting list of features, a reasonable price and a ridiculously cute purple cover:


- 119 utility, satin , decorative and cross stitches;
- 10 one-step buttonholes;
- 170 embroidery designs and the ability to create my own;
- an LCD touch-screen;
- an advanced needle threader;
- an automatic thread cutter;
- the ability to set the needle position;

- speed control;
- a drop-in bobbin; and
- a 7-point Feed Dog system

Did I mention I'm a bit of a technology nerd? I heart computerised everything!

After I'd spent the day in the store, I was ol' mates with the staff, and they piled my arms with this luscious treasure chest of goodies...

and charged me less than $70.00... gasp!

So, from Charlie and I, thank you so much for all of your help. We're sewing up a storm, embroidering naughty words, and getting creative with stitches. Here's to every crafter's sewing machine dreams coming true!

---


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Comments (29)

On May 12, 2009 at 12:47 PM , One Flew Over said...

Congratulations! Might I add that Charlie looks so pretty! I cannot believe tha haul you walked away with!! :)

Looking forward to seeing all your creations!

 
On May 12, 2009 at 12:49 PM , Cass said...

Fantastic I am so jealous

 
On May 12, 2009 at 12:56 PM , Kami said...

That sounds like an awesome machine. Have fun trying out all the new features.

 
On May 12, 2009 at 1:06 PM , sarasophia said...

Congrats on the new "baby"...Charlie looks like a bouncing bundle of joy!

Have fun stitchin'!

<3 sarasophia

 
On May 12, 2009 at 1:09 PM , Danielle said...

Congrats on your new baby girl, Charlie!!! She's so pretty! May you have many happy years together. Happy Birthday to you!

 
On May 12, 2009 at 1:32 PM , Liz said...

Well Sandra, Charlie is just beautiful, happy sewing with your new little one. You realise we all have great expectations now!! lol

 
On May 12, 2009 at 1:34 PM , Beky said...

Charlie looks so cute. I want one, and I don't even sew!!
---
BTW your photos are excellent, can you please write a tutorial on how you take great photos. I cant seem to win when I take pics for my Etsy shop. Thanks.
Beky

 
On May 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM , Jennie said...

I must say Charlie's lovely, despite my inexplicable dislike of computerised sewing machines!

Where did you end up buying her?

 
On May 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM , Karin said...

Oooh very nice! Congratulations! Nothing like busting open a new toy and playing with it. She's beautiful!

 
On May 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM , Calidore said...

Congratulations I'm sure you and Charlie will have a long and happy relationship..vbg.

 
On May 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM , Gluten Free Store Ltd www.glutenfreestore.co.nz said...

Oh yaay, I just put Ms Jones (my old machine) into retirement at Christmas, and bought home Brother NX400, who is now named Billy! Quite often you will hear me saying in frustrated tones "Oh Brother!" Nothing to do with Billy but all to do with me and my inadequacy! Blimey Spotty Dotty (Spotlight) didnt load me with lots of goodies for less than $70.00!! Doesn't a new machine just purr when you put your foot down? Congratulations on the new "family" member!

 
On May 12, 2009 at 3:08 PM , danielle said...

oh great! she is so pretty! i have a new brother too- but mine isnt fancy enough to do embroidery...still, she spells letters and sometimes they are kinda naughty too! well done- i love my brother, hope you do too : )

 
On May 12, 2009 at 4:07 PM , Unknown said...

Oh my goodness Charlie is one amazing machine! I am so jealous!

 
On May 12, 2009 at 4:51 PM , CurlyPops said...

OMG how exciting! I'll never look at my poor little Janome in the same way again.

 
On May 12, 2009 at 5:14 PM , Sew Useful Designs said...

Hi Sandra!

Wow! So glad you got the machine of your dreams! You'll have to let us know how she (or he?) goes! I'd love to get a new machine some day, so I'd be very interested!

Warm wishes! How exciting!

Vikki x

 
On May 12, 2009 at 7:25 PM , A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Well done on your new machine! Looks like you will be having hours of fun together. Sounds like she has an impressive range of features.

 
On May 12, 2009 at 7:50 PM , Nikki said...

You + Charlie = A match made in heaven!! I hope you have many happy years together and produce many beautiful things.

PS... I knew I liked you for a reason... "embroidering naughty words"... you made me laugh.

 
On May 12, 2009 at 8:15 PM , Unknown said...

Congratulations it looks like a fabulous machine I'm sure you will be very good friends , can it make a cuppa ? lol .

 
On May 12, 2009 at 8:42 PM , Kristy said...

Yay! Hello Charlie! I'm sure you and Sandra are going to be the best of friends =).

And WOW, what a thread haul!

 
On May 12, 2009 at 9:26 PM , Cathie said...

What a great machine! how long is the manual :)
hope you & Charlie have a lot of great times together & create lots of beautiful things. x

 
On May 12, 2009 at 9:27 PM , Fiona said...

Looking forward to seeing all of your creations with Charlie helping you!

 
On May 13, 2009 at 2:22 AM , pwl said...

Congratulations on your new sewing machine! And enjoy the embroidering! There are all sorts of free designs available online, as well as whatever you got with the machine - and, of course, whatever you will now create. ;-)

 
On May 13, 2009 at 2:42 AM , L. jane E. said...

Love the name! Love the machine! Love the thread! Can't wait to see some projects!

 
On May 13, 2009 at 4:44 PM , Anonymous said...

Congrats! So, you're a techie nerd with a flair for sewing? Me, too! How nice to find a soul mate.

Hope you and Charlie have a pleasant, long, & productive life together!

 
On May 13, 2009 at 9:10 PM , Jacinta said...

Hi Sandra. I have been in la la land and totally missed all the excitement. Happy happy (belated) birthday to you! Sounds like a great day - I hope you are feeling better now.

The sewing machine looks absolutely awesome. If I ever need to buy anything techo I might just have to contact you to do the research! There will be no stopping you now! Can't wait to see where you go from here...

 
On May 14, 2009 at 6:16 PM , Missie Krissie said...

Oh she's beautiful!! In fact she makes my mouth water. If I wasn't trying to get money from the bank for a reno I could spend some dosh on one just like her. I hope you both have many happy times together- also very jealous of all the treasure you manage to get away with!!

 
On May 15, 2009 at 6:15 PM , XUE said...

Belated Birthday wishes from across the oceans! I love Charlie! My is a really simple Brother machine which is quite embarrassing compared to what you have (& everyone else too!). The rainbow of threads are to die for!

 
On May 15, 2009 at 10:27 PM , It's A Wonderful said...

Congratulations on your lovely sewing machine! It's beautiful! And Happy Birthday! I can't believe that I've been gone for so long. I love my embroidery machine. But I go in waves. Sewing for months at a time, then back to embroider projects. You are going to have so much fun!

 
On May 16, 2009 at 9:48 AM , Tania said...

You are SO the handy to have around technerd! When it's the turn for my Betsy to head heavenward, I'm just going straight off to buy a Charlie. Thanks!