I have this machine and I love it. I didn't compare any machines when I bought it because I also have an older Bernina that I love also. The 440 is just more up to date and I can add the embroidery unit if I want to.

I have a Bernina 440QE and love it for quilting and any other sewing. It is a bit pricey but my dealer has a sale in around May of every year with machines used in classes with a new warranty. That is when I purchased mine and haven't had any problems. They offer free classes and are very helpful.

I have had my Bernina 440 QE for almost two years and I am absolutely in love with it!! I know it is a little pricey, but boy is it ever worth it. Not one bit of trouble with it.

I bought mine during a promotion where I got the many extras for free like the embroidery module, BSR, and two sole walking foot.

My Bernina dealer is fabulous! I get to take free classes there for as long as I own my Bernina and all I have to do is call or email and she gets right back to me if I have an issue. That is almost as important to me as the machine itself!

But I don't regret my purcahse one bit. Now I am saving up for a Bernina 830!

Hi, I have had my 440 for over a year. I love it!!! Never have had any problems. I also have a Phaff which I really like too. I accidently dropped it and have to take in for check up. What I like about the 440 is the stitch regulator. Maybe you can find one on E-Bay or other sites on internet less expensive. I love the quilt you made as your log on picture. It is very pretty. Best of luck finding one!! :thumbup:

I've had mine about a year and a half and I LOVE it. It's been a great machine. I'm going to have to part with it for maintenance and I feel like a junkie going into rehab. I've had no problems with it, except that the stitch regulator wasn't working right. It was covered under the warranty. That was a bit of a hassle, but it was the dealer's fault, not Bernina's. Be sure to buy from a reputable dealer unless you don't care about your warranty.

Eventually, I decided to add the embroidery module and I found one on eBay for half price. I really like that too, but it's hard to learn without having access to classes. If you decide to do that at some point in time, first figure out how you're going to learn to use it. It isn't the sort of thing you can teach yourself. Mine had me in tears until I found a class. Now my embroidery module and I are great friends.

I have the 440E and I love it do all of my machine quilting on it and anyone who thinks stippling is hard should have one of these machines with the stitch regulator absolutely wonderful

P. S. If I'm not mistaken, Bernina has some sort of event going on now. I can't remember what it entails, but you might be able to get a good deal this month. Check it out soon or you might miss it. It may only be in my area, but I could swear I just received something via email and snail mail about it.

I have a 440 QE. I like it very much. I must say that it is a little noisy. It is expensive. Just go ahead and splurge!! I have not mastered using the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) for FMQ. I have not had time to really practice, which it takes as in hand quilting.

Have a B630 and love it. Yes, a little high dollar for machine and extra feet, but I am worth it!

Bernina has come out with new models. I haven't done extensive research on them, but they seem to be like their other models only without all the bells and whistles. I don't think they can do embroidery and I don't know if they can handle the BSR. But they are sleek black and silver and have the new bright LED lights and a better designed extension table. The one I looked at briefly seemed to be almost identical to my 450 anniversary ed. Aurora in features--and only half the price! Worth looking into!

i worked at a lqs before they closed and waited for about 3 years before i bought my 440qe so that i was certain that was the one..my only regret..why did i wait so long..it is just an awesome machine..sews like a charm..check your bernina dealers..they often have free financing from 18months to 36n months..they are expensive but will last a lifetime...

I love mine! Worth the $$..............a real workhorse.

I've been a Bernina owner since '94 and the 440QE is my 3d machine. I traded up to the 1090 which I still have and the 440QE. I love them both and will never own another machine. My dealer is always there with answers if I have questions and they have free machine mastery classes I can take over and over if I want. I'd love to have the long arm and stand but can't afford that right now.

I have a Bernia 440QE and love it. It is a bit pricey and so are all the attachments. Mine came with the walking foot and the BSR. The quilt shop where I bought it also gives me a 20 percent discount on all fabric and any attachments for the machine for a lifetime. I love the discounts. Can't say that I love the BSR but one day I will master it. The machine is a real work horse and sews beautifully. Don't have the embroidery thingy yet but would love to have one. Wait to buy one when you can get discounts on the machine. Your store can tell you when they will have a sale.

I have the 44QE. I really like it. Wish I hadn't bought the embroidery module. ( I may sell it) I have only had one problem, the mother board went out after having it six month. Took it back to store they replaced it and added all the up dates no charge.

I have the Bernina 440QE and wouldn't trade it for anything. I think the important thing is to buy from a GOOD dealer, one that gives lessons on the use of the machine and does service work. I have never had anything go wrong with mine but I do take it in yearly for service. You will love it.

I've had a 440qee for about 4 years and I LOVE it

I have a Bernina 440 QE, the 3rd Bernina I've owned. That should tell you something about their reliability. When I bought it about 3 years ago, they offered the embroidery unit as a bonus. I took 2 classes for the embroidery and still haven't had the courage to use it! Where I bought the machine they offer unlimited free classes until you're completely satisfied which is great; however, we moved 100 miles away so I use the phone now. Incidentally, the reason I went for the 440 was the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) which I still need to perfect. Need several more hours in each day to get everything done!

I had one of the old 830's from the 1960's and it ran like a charm and still does, but when bernina came out with the stitch regulator, I bought a 440QE and I also wonder shy I waited so long. I bought it during a county fair and got a very good price on it. I also was able to pay it off in 1 yr or 18 mos. interest free so I went for it. I really love it. I have a good dealer, too.
I just got a new cabinet after all of these years and I am so excited and having fun putting my sewing stuff in it.
I don't have the embroidery module either. I like to sew.
You will love it.
Verna in SoCA

I have a 440. I am happy with the sewing aspect of it. The embroidery component, however, is very cumbersome and not very user friendly. I have a Janome 350E exclusively for embroidery. If I could do it over again, I would purchase the Janome 6600 (excellent machine) or Janome Horizon along with the 350E. I like the stand alone features so that I can sew and embroider at the same time.

I have a B930. I had been wanting a Bernina for a long time. There was an ad in a LQS newsletter for a B930 for $1000. Only used to sew one garment. The lady had a B830 and really liked it and let someone talk her into buying the 930. She took one class with it and stashed it in her closet. Then she found out she had macular degeneration so decided to keep the 830 cause she knew how it worked without having to look so she could sew without much sight. I got the 930 for $950. My Bernina repairman told me that this model was intended to be the workhorse of the Bernina line but it turned out to cost to much to produce and it was only made for one year. But not to worry about parts for it. Love this machine. linda

I have one and love it, have the embroidery attachment also and love it too. use both a lot. I have had a lot of other brands but like this one best.

Stupid question but why would Fons and Porter (daughter), Eleanor Burns, and Nancy Z. all support Baby Lock now and not Bernina. What do you think?

I guess Baby Lock offered them more money to sponsor them. That would be my guess. Nancy used to advertise Pfaff.

I've been wondering the same thing - feel rather disappointed in Fons and Porter that they would switch brands after featuring Bernina for so many years.
I hope the Bernina company is "listening" to all our positive and favorable comments on their products!!

I've had the 440QE almost 4 years, and I love it. I used the BSR on every quilt until I got a longarm. I also bought the embroidery module, but I haven't really used it.

I bought the 440 a year a go it was horrible to get the program on my Vista,it works great on the XP but I finally got it on, I loved the embroidery and the sewing , BUT if I did not have a computer to hook it up to I would be in trouble because you have to hook up to a computer, for the embroidery part that costs extra any way I traded it in for the new 830 for a lot more money, BUT all of the hoops, the attachments and the program work on it , :thumbup: Go for it

I also own this same machine and I also do not have the embroidery attachment as i was not interested in that. I LOVE this machine and don't ever plan to part with it.

I have the Bernina 440 QE. I got mine in August and LOVE IT! It was a major purchase for me, but so far I am very pleased. I don't have the embroidery module yet, but I plan on getting it...someday! :)

I have a 440 QE and it is very good. However, I don't like the front load bobbin. I have the BSR, and find that I FMQ better without it. I would suggest to you that you look at a Baby Lock or a Brother. I have a Project Runway Brother to take to class and love it.
Just my opinion. If I had to do it over again, I would go for a good Baby lock and spend the extra money on something else.

I've had my 440QE for about 5 years and I love it! I've sold off some of my other machines, and use the Bernina almost exclusively. No embroidery module - not into that.

I have the 440 and love it. Had no problems at all except one, I now want the big Bernina - 820 with the quilt frame :)

I bought a new one in 2009. Just absolutley love it. Although I have not even touched the surface of what it can do. It is amazing. Worth the price I paid for it in Alaska. Got the embroidery module with it also. I had for 35 years a Kenmore therefore this is a way up step for me. I sewed on the new bernina 300 series and I do not like it. Will stick with the my 440QE.
Enjoy and jhope this helps.

I have had a 440 OE for many years now. I bought when they first came out. I had an Artista 180 before that. I now have both machines and a 330 Deco. I love all of them to death, but my 440 is my love. She quilts like a dream and has always been easy to use. She is my best friend and never lets me down. Resently, my dealer said they had a big sale for a new machine. Hint hint! I said no thanks, I'm not giving my 440 up. So if you love to sew or quilt by all means indulge yourself and see why they are #1. I have sewn on many machines in my life but this is the best. :-D

I have the 440 and the embroidery unit which I purchased about three years ago. I love them both!! I have not had any problems with either. I purchased a Bernina because several of my “Quilting Buddies” had Berninas and they loved them. Also, the 440 comes with the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) which helps you regulate your stitches when doing free motion quilting. The embroidery unit sews out beautifully. As stated in other posts, your computer has to be hooked up to the sewing unit to run the embroidery software, but I like it that way. You have a nice big screen to view designs. Before you purchase the 440, I would compare them to the higher end Berninas. I did but I chose the 440. Sometimes you can get a good used when someone trades up to a higher end one. I can’t compare the 440 since I have no knowledge of any other sewing machines.

There are a few features I wish the 440 had, which it does not.

I wish it had a larger bobbin and a low bobbin indicator. I don't mind the front load bobbin, but some people don't like that.

I wish it had the tie off and auto-snip of threads when you come to a stop -- I think Pfaffs do that?

I wish it had the larger harp to make it easier to get a larger quilt in there (though I have successfully free motion quilted a king size on mine.)

But all told, I think a read through of this thread shows that the vast majority of people love theirs and find it a great investment.

RST

I have had a few machines in my time, but I do love my Bernina
I have a 155, just wish I had the Stitch Regulator feature, maybe some day, I will trade it for the 440. I have had mine for 5 years, and never had to have it serviced, take good care of it and it will take care of you. Happy Sewing.

Also, a question for Bernina people....my friend decided
instead of purchasing the patchwork foot, she actually
moves the needle a couple positions over to get a true 1/4"
Has anyone tried this method? (Since the foot is over $30.
rather purchase material..LOL

When I took my class two weeks ago, they said move it 2 spaces to the right and using Foot #1 you had a 1/4" stitch. I haven't measured it, but could check it and see. Hope that helps you!

I was a diehard Janome user for many years until I got to use a Bernina 440QE at the Vermont Quilt Festival last year. I couldn't believe the beautiful free motion quilting stitches it did. Not having enough $$ for a brand new Bernina, I bought a used 180E and absolutely love it for free motion quilting.

I will never get rid of my Janome 9000, which is a workhorse, however it is not a good machine for free motion quilting (gives "whiskers" on the back side). I am still getting used to the Bernina at this point, but love it.

Tina, there are a ton of positive comments in this thread about the Bernina 440QE. You will not be disappointed with this machine. I hope you decide to get one. :thumbup: