Bernina 475QE help!
 

I purchased a Bernina 475QE last August and have such a love/hate relationship with it. The features it has are amazing, but the machine itself I do not get along with. It spent 3 months with my mechanic as the thread cutter stopped working (it made an awful clunky sound and wouldn’t cut the thread) and the knee lift had also broken. Fast forward to now, 3 months later and the thread cutter has stopped working again. It also keeps holding on to the thread when sewing, almost like it’s getting caught on something underneath in the bobbin area.
I run my own business and the machine is used daily, a lot. Ideally I would have an industrial machine but I just can’t house it in my workshop. I also own a 1005 which I’ve had for 32 years and absolutely love, along with 2 Bernina L450 overlock/sergers. And I’ve previously had a 1090 but the motherboard went last August (due to age), which is why I ended up buying the 475 in the first place.
My question is, have I been sold a faulty machine as all other Berninas I’ve owned are fine, or is it a common occurrence with the newer models? I’m looking to change machines (wanting to stick with bernina) but not sure which model to go for. Any advice greatly appreciated 😊

Personally speaking, for as much as Bernina's cost, I would call your new machine a lemon and tell the dealer that you want a different machine.

I agree. I'm on my third Bernina and have never had a bit of trouble with any of them. The dealer should replace your machine.

It does sound like you may have a lemon. I bought a 770QE last year and love it. I also have a 150QE (for 20 years now) and never had a problem with it.

that’s great thankyou, I’d hate to buy anything but a bernina so this is good to know! Just seems I got a bad one this time!

I have been sewing for over 40 years, and I have always been a Pfaffer, until they got sold out about 15 years ago, now I am a die hard Bernina fan. I am amazed at their quality! I bought the B770 Quilters Edition, and it is without a doubt the best machine that I have ever owned. I would highly recommend it. It does do embroidery, so it might not be the machine for you, but I truly love this machine :)

Thankyou. This does make me much more confident to go with another Bernina again. I’m looking at a 5 series as the 7 series is out of my budget. I had no confidence in the 475QE as it had so many issues in such a short space of time, I love my trusty 1005 (and my 1090 until it stopped working, the parts just weren’t available to repair in it the UK :( )

it would seem that way, it’s such a shame as it’s made me really lose confidence in the newer models. Although, after hearing that others do love them, I’m feeling hopeful that another new one would not cause me the same trouble.

I have contacted my dealer and bernina to try and sort this out, I definitely think that the machine is faulty after hearing that so many others have no trouble.

Hannah, my 770 is w/o the embroidery because I didn't want it. It can be added though, if I change my mind. Good luck to you! Let us know how it goes :)

I am a die hard Juki lover, straight stitch only is only one I have and use a lot.

Thankyou! I’ve been in contact with Bernina and they’re collecting it tomorrow to be repaired :) I’m still looking at exchanging for a bigger Bernina once I have it back though as I don’t trust the machine to not fault again! Unfortunately the 7 series is just out of my budget (although, it’s the dream to have one!) and I’m looking at a 540 :)

I've heard the 5 series is wonderful!!!

Bernina475QE
 

I too have a Bernina 475QE. I was so excited to finally buy it, and now I avoid using it. It has gone back to the shop three times, and once was in the first week. I’ve had to replace the thread cutter and the tension discs at my own cost. I clean it and oil it religiously. I’ve never seen such a finicky machine. My husband said to trade up but I don’t dare to. So discouraging. My friend bought one in the 700 series and she loves it. BTW, love love love my Juki 2010TL. Old faithful.

I had a lot of problems with my Bernina 570, finally traded for a 590 which so far I love. However, the higher end Bernina's are not for the faint of heart. They do require a lot of attention. There are so many wonderful features that can be tailored to your exact wants.....but....you can not simply take the machine out of the box and start stitching. Really strongly encourage folks to take any and all class your dealer offers and also there are a lot of online videos from both Bernina and also dealers out there and even some zoom class you can sign up for. someone said the Bernina's are the Diva's for the sewing world. I think I agree!

Me too
 

I’m still struggling with mine 10 mths down the track. Bottom side of stitching bunching up and bottom thread catching after automatic cutter. I have to clean it weekly and it still does it. The cutter wasn’t working when I first got it so they fixed that but at least it’s still working.
My husband said get rid of it and buy something better. It’s going back to the shop this week - see if they can fix it. I’m done !

I am still loving my 590 after all the problems I had with my 570. I do think that the 570 was a possessed lemon. But I also learned that there was an update to the firmware which was fixed. That may have been part of the issue with thread nest's as the tension discs before the bug fix was apparently not engaging as quickly as it was supposed to but I don't know. I do have several feet I now use for piecing depending on what I am piecing but it is working good. Yep...it is a diva. Not a machine you can just sit down and use it. Make sure they have the latest update installed on whatever model you have.