Bernina 560 or 770?
 

Hey all! New here. I’m looking to get a new machine with the stitch regulator. I currently have a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0, and my lack of free motion skills have had me want to toss it out the window 😉 I had my eye on the 560, because it’s in my price point, but the sales lady said I shouldn’t even entertain the idea because it is a smaller machine than what I currently have. She is recommending the 770, which is way out of my price range and would be another year+ before I could get.

About me: I primarily make baby and lap size quilts. I mostly do quilts, no garment/apparel sewing, no embroidery. I primarily quilt for enjoyment and gifts, but I may start selling in an Etsy shop soon. I am set on a bernina because of the BSR.

So, is it true that the 560 would be a terrible choice for me? Or is the sales person just trying to upsell their higher model? Thanks!

I can't say what's right for you, but if I get a new machine it will be the 770 - I actually saved up for it for a couple years, just haven't pulled the trigger. The throat space is a big, big deal. Having the BSR is great, but if you can't easily move the quilt around you won't like free motion.

If I were you, I would take a lap quilt in and ask to try the 560. See if you can FMQ the middle of the quilt without trouble. If the throat is too small, you will know right away. This will also give you a chance to try the two different BSR modes, and see which you like.

My dealer let me play with the 770 for over an hour, trying different threads etc, to see if I really wanted it. I'm in love with the BSR, but I need the throat space to go with it. Hopefully your dealer will have floor models for you to try.

@jennifer23 That’s a really good point about FMQ. I feel like I could straight stitch a quilt in the smaller throat space or the 560, but FMQ requires more room.

Have you done a trial run on the machine using the stitch regulator? I don't think they are all that easy to use or very helpful for FMQ. Just MHO

I just bought a Bernina 740 and I love it. It's less expensive than the 770 but has everything I need.

As l understand it, the 770 is geared more for dress making and has more fancy stitching, but the 740 has everything a quilter needs, including a 10.5" throat. The sales lady is right that the 500 series is smaller ...BUT the NEW 500 series coming out has a larger throat...though l don't know if as large as the 700 series.

I'd go for the 770 IF I had the money. The 770 is the Patchwork Edition -- geared towards quilters. The 560 was discontinued because there were bugs to work out. I wouldn't get it. If you're not going to get into embroidery, the 740 is quite a bit less, but you'd have to pay extra for the BSR (about $750). That might be an option.

Thank you all for the feedback! I hadn’t looked at the 740, so that might be another option to consider. I don’t think the dealer I went to carries it, but there’s another reputable sew and vac store in the area that I might check out.

There's nothing wrong with the 560, it's been out for years. I'm on several Bernina yahoo groups and other forums, and i never heard a single complaint about the 560. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, even online. Now that it has been discontinued, it's available online, for as low as $2399.

I'm a big fan of the 5.5mm stitch width, so I just bought an "old" Bernina 570 QE with the CB hook, similar to the 560, except that the 560 has a rotary hook and 9mm stitch width.

The 7 series have a new hook system, the Bernina hook system. Dealers are raving about it. People I know have had mixed experiences with the 7s. I'd have to test drive one extensively before I'd buy. Since I have an 820 with the big harp, jumbo bobbin, dual feed, and the 9mm width, I haven't tried the 7 series.

Just try them both and decide based on your test drive. Good luck!