Interested in a Bernina 730e but have been researching the 9mm feed dogs. I generally do garments and quilting but am wondering if I am making the proper decision since I want to be more accurate in my quilting precision. Is it possible to get perfect 1/4 inch seams with the 9mm feed dogs?? Do the large feed dogs make it harder to sew garments as well? If not which machine do you suggest? Hubby wants to invest in something I can grow into (embroidery, decorative stitches etc) Thanks a bunch

You will love the wider feed dogs for decorative stitching :D:D:D

My feed dogs are wider than my 1/4" foot, and it doesn't affect my piecing. My fabric feeds in nice and straight :D

I have an older Bernie 1630 and really like the 9 mm. I can use the decor stitches and do things that I can't on a reg machine. It does not affect piecing or stitch width. The only thing that you have to be careful with is if you are using pins you have to be sure that when you put them into the fabric that the pins extend out past the opening of the feed dogs so they don't get caught.

9mm stitching is a bonus not a hindrance. Accurate piecing is made more so with a straight stitch plate. I'd recommend you get one with your new machine.

Thanks for the swift replies!

I was reading that in order to get that perfect seam you have to change the needle position making it impossible to use the straight stitch plate (zig zag plate instead). So it seems like a pain to have to move the needle and change out the plate to get the 1/4 inch seam.

Hoping any quilters with the 9mm machines can chime in! Thanks a bunch ladies (and gents?) ;)

I never move my needle from the center - using the single hole plate does help but I haven't had a problem with the wider plate.

It depends on fabric thickness and thread thickness. On my Bernina I typically use Aurifil 50 wt. and cottons. I don't need to move my needle over so use the straight stitch plate. If I sew flannels(thicker) or use a different weight thread, then I may have to move my needle over and use the 9mm stitch plate instead.

I have a B 730E and have no problems with the wide feed dogs, or with sewing a quarter inch seam. I do have a quarter inch foot - I don't like the ones with the guides, but I think that is personal preference, more than anything. I love my machine, and don't hanker after the 830 at all.

I had a Bernina 730e for a brief time, sold it specifically because of the 9mm feed-dog. I did not like it at all. I already had a Bernina 230PE and love it, I actually think it is a better machine for piecing. The 730e is a wonderful embroidery machine. I loved it for that, the resizing and rotating of designs is easy to learn and use. As stated previously it has nice stitch designs, I used some of these for quilt labels. Another thing I didn't like is the wait for the machine to come up, just my opinion for me, I like to sit down and start stitching. Also, it had a high pitched noise. Hope I don't sound too negitive, I love Berninas.

and so if I may ask what do you quilt with, if you do?

I recently got an ABM Innova 18". I am very much in the beginning learning phase. I attended the Beginning Longarm Retreat in Spring, TX and learned so much. I have had very little time since getting back home to put to use what I learned.

I wonder if I would be better off with the Bernina Artista 630?? hmmmm

Just my opinion, but I really like the 5.5 mm feed-dog more than the 9mm. I can't remember which the 630 has, but if embroidery is important to you I think it has the same embroidery unit. When I decided to sell my 730e my husband was very, very upset with me. He told me the he was the most upset he had been since he could remember, we have been married 32 years. So I had him sit down and use both machines, afterward he came to the same conclusion that the Bernina 230PE was better for piecing. I also had him play with the BSR, I had thought I would quilt with it but decided I would never get the hang of it, he didn't like the BSR either. Not wanting to offend anyone, just my opinion.

Yes Im not that into embroidery yet (but could be in the future) but I know I am into quilting and garments. I liked the 440 QE but liked the bells and whistles on the 730e. The 630 does have the 5mm feed dogs. Guess I need to go back and really try out the machines again. Thanks alot for your input and glad to know you like the 230PE. That one seemed almost too small to FMQ on though...so many decisions!!!

The 230 is a smaller machine, it has now been replaced with the 300 series.

I have a Bernina with the 9mm feed dogs and love it. It is more versatile and I have no trouble with the 1/4" seam. I use a 1/4" foot. I leave the wider plate on so I can move the needle if I want to. I think the name of my Bernina is the 430QE but with the 9mm feed dogs. It makes beautiful decorative stitching. I wouldn't hesitate to get the 9mm again.

Is it the 450? Seems majority says no probs...I think I will go back to the store (3 hours away!!) and sample it out some more. At the quilters convention it didnt seem like a problem and the Bernina sales lady was like, no problem just move the needle a bit. Then I got home and realized if I moved the needle I would have to switch out the straight stitch plate...a hassle but I guess not impossible! Thanks for the replies again! :wink:

I agree - 9mm is no problem at all with either plate.