This message is to all Bernina owners with machines that use new style feet

I am in need of the Patchwork/Quilt Foot and have to decide between the plain and less expensive Number 37 and the fancier more expensive Number 57 that has a guide. So among those who have one or both of these Feet, I would love to know what you think:

How essential is it to you having a No. 37 and or No. 57?
Is the Number 57 worth the extra price?
Price: My Bernina store is charging $37.98 for No. 37 and $49.99 for No. 57. Is this the going price?
Generics on eBay and elsewhere: Anyone here purchased the generic 37 or 57 feet that are being sold all over the internet?

I have both feet...for piecing accurate seams I really like #57 because the guide keeps me from "wandering". If you don't already have it, you might want to consider the straight-stitch needle plate, too.

I vote for the guide also. I use it on both my Janome's but it doesn't work well on my Bernina 180, because it has 9 mm wide feed dogs and the guide is right above one of the feed dogs so my fabric doesn't lay flat when going under the presser foot.

The price is the going rate. Since I spent good money on my machines, I would not use anything other than Bernina or Janome presser feet.

That's my two cents!

Well here's the thing...mine came with the #37 foot. But I purchased the #57 because I was nervous I couldn't keep fabric accurate without a guide.

I would say go out to the store with a few strips and tell them you want to test drive each foot, then decide.

I've used the #37 after I went to ta retreat where I was told it will give me the most accurate 1/4 inch seam because you can SEE when the fabric isn't lined up correctly.

And I will say it isn't nearly as hard using the #37 as I thought it would be. So it really depends on what feels best to you.

Test drive them, and then decide. And the price seems about right to me, I think I spend $47 on my #57 when I got my machine a year and a half ago.

Good luck!

#57 here and I LOVE it...well worth the money !!!

The price for genuine Bernina feet is higher than most, but they're ALL metal construction and last forever. I bite the bullet and don't buy generic for my Bernina. I've had generic feet in the past on my Janome and they usually are junk.

I have the #57 foot, but if I had to do it again, I would try both before buying. I was used to the guided foot so bought that, but I think I'd like the unguided foot too.

Very helpful! Thank you all for your comments. I have the Bernina 640E and I love it. My first Bernina after years of sewing. The 640E has a 9 mm zig zag stitch but if I use the single hole throat plate I think the guide on the 57 would work better, right? I have not trekked upstairs to my sewing room to inspect, but I am thinking/hoping that would be true.

Thanks again. And yes after breaking the bank on buying my machine, generics are just WRONG.

Alice Federico :)

I don't buy generic feet for my Bernina (or for my Viking either, for that matter). That said, I have the #37 foot and it works fine for me.

I have also found that using the #20 foot with the needle one click to the right gives me a perfect scant ¼" seam and allows the fabric to be fully on top of both feed dogs (something the #37 foot does not) while I have a wide open view of the stitch line. This is the foot I use most often.

I have no desire for the #57 because I want to be able to see where the fabric edge is. If I want a guide for any reason, I put moleskin along the edge and don't have to worry about the fabric sliding underneath it unseen.

Okay - I need to try the Number 20. I hear you all about not being able to see the fabric if it slips under the guide.

I love my 57 foot. However, I try to buy the feet whenever one of my local dealers is having a 25% off sale, which happens fairly frequently.