Do any of you have the Bernina 440 QE? I would like some input on what you think about the machine. Is there a machine out there that is similiar but not as many dollars?

I have a friend who has one and likes it immensly. I have a B1260, and a B730E and wouldn't part with either for all the tea in China. Another two friends have B630s. We all love our Berninas, - to us there is a reason they are dearer - simply, they are better.

I love my Bernina 440 QE. I don't know about similar models that are cheaper because I have little experience with comparing models and manufacturers. My husband "gave me this Bernina for Christmas" -- tee hee -- but I waited until the following September to actually purchase it when a local store had its annual 25% off everything-Bernina sale. Since I bought this machine, I have discovered lots of people who own this model and I've never heard any complaints about it.

Incidentally, I did not get the embroidery attachment, which was an additional $1,000, because I am not interested in that whole 'nother aspect of sewing.

I have the 440.....no embroidery & have never had the 1st prob.She'll be 2 yrs old next Spring.Sorry I'm not up to date on other machines.

I had one it was great ,I wanted a long arm so I had to sell off a few machines and she had to go,lol.I also have Husqvarna's-I was not parting with them,lol

LOL....I sold the HV to get the 440....isn't it great that we have so many choices? No room for long arm here,but know it must be great to have one.

lol,yes it is great to have choices

I have a 440QE (no embroidery) and wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm sure if you went to your local Bernina dealer they would be able to show you comparable models in whatever price range you're looking for. This 440 is my first Bernina but I'm a customer for life already!

Go for it if you think it's what you want. Had one and went back to my first love HV

I have the 440 QE and love it!! I recently got the embroidery module and am having a lot of fun learning how to use it. Fortunately I have great support from the store where I bought it and they are on speed dial!!

I've had mine for more than five years without a single problem and wouldn't give it up. I love it, and it just seems to do everything well!

I second this, I love mine. I sew almost every day and it gets worked out. I get a cleaning and tune up every year and the guy always comments on how many miles I put on it. Now the truck is the same age and a lot less mileage because I am always home sewing...Just a few trips a month to the beach or the store.

When I bought mine I wasn't a quilter per sey. I bought it for the embroidery and made my decision because I didn't want to go to the higher price Bernina that ran it's own software. The 440 runs the embroidery software off my laptop so that sold me. Now I do mostly quilting an some embroidery. I love to do free motion quilting on it. I love love love my Bernina. and it is the first Bernina I've owned!

I have the 440QE also (no embroidery) - love it!

I have a 440QE and bought the embroidery attachment this spring. I love this machine! I had a Bernina 830 Record and used it exclusively for 30 years without a problem. Now the 440 is on a similar track, it is a wonderful machine with loads of potential. The only potential issue is with the embroidery module, if you do embroidery, the module is hooked up to your computer and is not encorporated into the sewing machine. For me it is no problem, occasionally there is a momentary delay while it embroiders, not an issue. If you have the opportunity to buy one, good for you.

I bought mine second hand and Love It!! Use it for everything and all kinds of fabric. It's a real work horse and gives me wonderful results. I sew almost every day and so I do take it in every year to be cleaned/oiled and checked. I've had no problems so far.....

Love mine, and have had no buyers remorse whatsoever, even though I tend to be a cheapskate.

Not everyone loves the BSR for free motion quilting, but I do.

Be aware going in that all the accessories and extras are pricey too. Bobbins cost a lot, the feet are expensive, replacement parts are shocking. But it's a very high quality machine, well designed and well made, and it should last you for years.

RST

I bought my 440 QE about4 years ago. I bought the whole shebang. Ebroidery module and all. I bought it for the embroidery mainly. I love the stitch regulator I got with mine. It has been good to me. The only problem I can think of is I wish it had a deeper opening. I have a hard time quilting anything big on it.

I have the 440qe and love, love, love it!

Thank you for the warning. I think I am going to the dealer sometime this week and check it out.

If you go www.patternreview.com there are reviews for different machines. Click on the tab for "Sewing Machines" then click on "Sewing Machine Search Wizard" there you can click on different options you are looking for in a machine and it will bring up review from other users. I found it really helpful. I wanted a 440QE but the budget wouldn't allow it. However DH did get me the 230PE and I love it. Before I got my Bernina I did look at the Pfaff Quilting Expression now that was a nice machine. Built in walking foot, lots of stitches and huge throat area for all those large quilts.

Hi....I just bought the Bernina 440 QE..with all the attachments embroidery is what sold me..I also bought the large plexi table attachment, the whole thing cost me , $ 3,700, they had $ 100. off for the month of Oct.. It also came with the software , so I can plug it into my computer, Its my first one that does all I want and more. This will be my first quilt , I always done quilting by hand. My grandmother showed me how to quilt , mostly on feather quilts , she was from Germany and thats what her mother showed her. I love to quilt and still will do some by hand..but this will make it easy on some . the store has free lessons for one year, also they gave me 10% off anything I buy from now on.I just Love it.. later I will get a long arm..
If you do get one , Good Luck and Happy Quilting

KandiKane ( Elaine )

I have the 430. It's quite a bit less than the 440 QE. Doesn't come with the stitch regulator, but you can add that later, as well as the embroidering stuff. It's a good machine, but I wonder if I would have been better off with a Viking- the throat is bigger in the Vikings. I spent $1800 on mine with the extension table and walking foot.

l have the Bernina aurora 440 quilters edition l also have
the embroidery attachment with it and l wouldn't do without it its a fantastic machine l also have a Bernina virtuosa 153 which l have had for a number of years nothing seems to ever go wrong with them l bought a Janome 9700 which is a sewing and embroidery machine but the Berninas are the best
Elsie Blight

I have a Bernina 440 QE and I LOVE it. I like the freedom to embroider, I can do cut work with it, I love the BSR for free motion quilting. It is an all around great machine. Well worth every $$ it cost.

I have the 440 and love it. That's what I use to do all my quilting - the BSR is great.

I had to save for quit a while before I could buy my 440QE- no regrets at all!

I have several friends that have that machine and love it. I do own one Bernina and 2 Janomes. I love my Janomes. Have you checked them out?

Just had to add my comments! I bought my first Bernina in 1960 (one week after I got married), have had two others in the meantime, and last year finally bought the 440QE and I couldn't be any happier with it! Being a sewing and quilting teacher, over the years I have seen many brands and models used by students and I would NEVER have anything but a Bernina. The BSR didn't immediately turn me into an expert free motion quilter but I am working on it! The store where I bought it gives annual service free for five years and it just had it's first check-up - the technician commented that although it was in perfect shape, he could tell I sew a lot! I was able to sell my 1030 model to a friend but kept the 830 (known as Bernina's workhorse) as a backup in the closet - haven't even had it out for over a year but I won't part with that one!

I was a quilt shop manager and sold Bernina sewing machines and when the 440QE came out with the stitch regulator every quilter wanted one. We never had a( 440) unhappy customer.I don't think you will be sorry.You get what you pay for.Ask when they plan a promotion for the 440. I gave one to my grandaughter I was so impressed with her ability to use the stitch regulator.
Good Luck
Traditional

I've had mine for about 3 years and love it; didn't get the embroidery stuff, tho. I'm still learning how to take advantage of all the stitches, BSR, etc. Do wish it had a longer arm but it has been a wonderful machine. Have never owned anything but a Bernina and have found the dealers are all good, no matter where we have been since we are mostly full-time RVrs.

Thank you, I will check that out!

I have the 430 and love it. I already had a walking foot that would fit so I bought the BSR. It does everything the 440 does, a few less decorative stitches, but I don't use them that much.

I have one and like it very much

I bought mine when the 440QE first came out. I had just retired and had some buy out money. Went to look at machines with a friend, because I was not a sewer and wanted to get into quilting. She tried out the 440 and said she would love to have it, but had just bought a new other Bernina. On her recommendation I bought it. I don't regret it although at the time I thought it was a lot of money. Later I bought a Janome Gem to take to sit and sew, but only because it was much lighter and I wanted a back up machine in case the 440 had to go into the shop. No comparision between machines. I think the Bernina will sew through anything. The 440 has only been in to be cleaned once and never have had any other problems.

Bought mine 2 yrs ago and love it. However, have never even unpacked the embroidery unit.....have decided that part doesn't interest me and I want to sell it. I've used the BSR and really like it. Still learning all the features of this machine....like how to do a buttonhole and using memory features.

Shirley

I have a Bernina 440QE and absolutely love it. It is actually my second Bernina product.I had an Artista 185E which is a great machine, but I thought just a little too sophisticated for me. So, I traded it in for a 440QE. I have it 3 years and so far I've made 2 wall hangings and a Queen sized quit. All of which turned out great. I highly recommend the QE440.I am patiently waiting, saving money to purchase a Hinterberg Machine quilting frame to partner with my 440QE. Good Luck in your search!Fractured Prisms

My first Bernina was a gently used 440 Loved it! Went back a few weeks later and got the embroidery module, love it too! Recently traded it in on a Bernina 730 with embroidery module. I am in love with it! You can't go wrong with the 440 it is an awesome machine! Once you use it you will be hooked. One word of advice, take the free mastery classes, you will learn so much about your machine and all it can do!

My sister and I both have Bernina 440 EQ and we love them. We have had them for 3 years and NO problems. Nothing sews lik a bernina. (It's true). :)

I have a Bernina 630 (with embroidery attachment) and LOVE it. I've had it for 2-3 years. It is my 'dream' machine. I've had a featherweight for years and LOVE it too, but when you need more than straight stitch, I love my Bernina. Have never had any problems or issues with it. I did 'test drive' the new 830....whoa!!! That thing practically does everything itself! Would LOVE to have one, but would need to win the lottery first! :) I highly recommend the Berninas.