Fabricgator

My Viking sewing machine is not doing well. The stitches are minuscule, and I have been told it could be the step motor. I bought her in 1998, and the part, if she is fixable, could be around $300. I don't know if she is worth fixing, or if I should get a new machine.

I have a Bernina 880, but she is not transportable. I want something that I can take to classes, that has a number of stitches on. I have been browsing online, and have looked at the 530, the 330, and the 350PE. I like that the 330 and 350 are fairly light - 18 lbs., while the 530 is about 30 lbs. I'd like to hear from others who have these machines, and who can recommend the machine to me.

Thanks!
Michele

89a677

Have you thought about the 570, not sure how much it weighs, but it has some of the same features as the 880. I have an 880 and a 350 that I travel with. When I use the 350 I miss the features. I'm thinking of trading the 350 in for a 570.
good luck!

quilterpurpledog

I have the 530 but I never take it somewhere else because of the weight. I have a Singer featherweight that I take to other locations because I can manage it and other stuff that is needed without assistance. I am a BERNINA girl and have had several over the years (like 45) but I have never had one of the small lightweight models.

coopah

Eversewn has metal workings, sews like a dream, weighs about 15 lbs., and is made by the son of the Bernina folks. Plus, the Eversewn 30 is a light pink...which is quite lovely for this gal. Comes with several feet and you can buy a nicely packaged set of feet (one is a walking foot) for quilting. Priced nicely...check on Amazon, then visit a dealer and see if it's what you want. My only connection is that I bought one and enjoy the sturdiness and lightweight factors.

Lady Diana

Check out Janome 4210, 3160, Jem, .....their machines are great for classes. The price is very reasonable compared to Bernina. I'm sure Janome has come out with more since I purchased the 4210 and 3160. Worth checking out.

farmquilter

I second the notion to get an Eversewn, just got mine last week and love it for easy sewing. My Pfaff 7570 is out of commission right now and the Sparrow 30 has most all of the features at my former top of the line 7570.

Batik 54

I bought my granddaughter a 330 when they were on sale for the holidays. I am really surprised at how light it is compared to my 440QE. She has her machine right beside mine. Hers does not have all the stitches (limited decorative stitches) but I am very happy with the purchase. Which do I like better mine of course, but when I go somewhere I am going to take her machine because of the weight. Good luck deciding.

PS Stitcher

I have a 440QE I take with me. It is a bit weighty but I love it!! My 780 stays at home.

SusieQOH

I didn't know Bernina made any light weight machines. Mine is really heavy so it stays at home. I have others if I want to take somewhere, like my FW's.
I've heard nothing but good things about Eversewn and somehow they are made by Bernina or someone who worked there.
My local Bernina dealer sells Eversewn and they don't sell machines that aren't connected with them.

Joanne9of12

Many of my students have machines from the Bernina 300 series. They are lightweight (like you said 18-22 lbs.), but still have really good quality, a fairly large number of stitches, and other options. If you go to the Bernina website and click on the product tab, you can do a comparison of the machines as well find a number of tutorials for the various machines. You can also do a search and find the manual for the various machines. Quite honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with any of these machines. Good luck!