If I want a machine with a stitich regulator, which machine would you all reccommend? I do not need a embroidiary machine with it either, I just want want a new Bernina with a stitch regulator! Thanks!!

I think the cheapest one with the BSR is the Quilters Edition, but I may be wrong on that, so I suggest you contact a B. dealer. Both the 630 and 730 do have the BSR, and can be bought without the embroidery modules, which would make them a whole lot cheaper. They still have a good variety of built in stiches, and I like that for machine crazy patchwork. Hope that helps.

I have a Bernina 630 without the embroidery unit. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this machine and don't think I could ever give it up -- even as a trade in toward their new HUGE 830.

I wrote a review of my machine on my sewing room photos if that helps. The interface with the 430 and 440 are different but be assured these are ALL high quality (very well built) machines.

Here's what I have to say about my sewing partner, the 630:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/athomesewing/2720227176/

I have the Bernina Aurora 430 with the BSR and love this machine. It's still pretty spendy, but well worth the cost. I'm not into embroidery, but this sewing machine will do everything else! I used it to quilt up to a king-size quilt using both the walking foot and the BSR without any problems. I've sewn on Bernina's for about 40 years and swear by them.

I have a 630 as well. Though I do have the embroidery module with mine. It is a great machine with lots of stitches and options
I am still learning the best way to use the BSR foot. Sometimes I find it annoying and I am forever going too fast (it will let you know with an annoying sound if it feels you are moving too fast) I try to go slow but find I can't make a nice curve at the speed it "allows" I frequently turn off the annoying alarm when I am working.

I have the 640 with the emb module. I didn't buy the BSR because I couldn't see paying $800 for it when I do just fine without it.

Bernina's are great machines tho!!

I have a Bernina that was bought by my grandparents in the 90's. It is a 1090 and still works really great. Consider also you can get a used one many times people upgrade and trade in another Bernina. Also I checked out a Bernina around 1 year ago I fell in love with it but decided not to buy it. It was around 1100.00
Good luck on your new purchase!!!!!

I have the 200E...which is the same as the 730...but I bought it used. It does have the BSR and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I can FMQ without it, but it just makes it so much more enjoyable to use. You can buy a machine without getting the embroidery module to go with it...but look for a used one...you might get the whole package..you might not use the EMB. mod., but then again, you might want to someday.

Thanks so much for all your advice!!! I do have a Bernina already, its an older one, a Quilters Edition 1080, but its my baby! I absolutely love it, and would never want to trade it in! I also have a Pfaff 2144 with an embroidiary module. I have to say, that while, yes, the Pfaff is an amazing sewing machine, it pales next to the Bernina! I love quilting on the Bernina, but think maybe I'd like a BSR one! Thanks for all your good words of wisdom!!

I just got the Bernina 640 with the emb. unit and it came with the stitch regulator. I haven't tried it yet. Have to check how to put it on first.

Our Berninas in Ireland come from Bernina UK, and the 430/440, 630, and 730 all come with the BSR, there isn't an option to have them without the BSR. The optional extra is the embroidery module, so I was surprised to see your post. When I bought my 730 (with the emb. module) I kept my old 1260, as the dealer wasn't inclined to offer me anthing for trade in. Now I am really pleased I kept it, as I use it still for lots of stitching when I want to do something quickly and don't want to wait for the 730 to boot up. Also, I can still sew on it while keeping an eye on the 730 when it's embroidering. As for that, I didn't even attempt to do any embroidery for two years. I felt that I had more than enough for my needs, just getting to know what it had built in. Plus I found the manuals to be incomprehensible - could have been in a foreign language as far as I was concerned. Then I managed to get on a one day workshop on how to use the emb. module. What a revelation. It was enough for me to get going, and I haven't looked back. Mind you, I still only stitch out designs that I have bought, though I am happy to reverse directions, or resize. I still don't think the software provided is good enough for me to do something completely from scratch, but I'm not too bothered about that. Someday I might upgrade.

Hi I was interested to read this post as I am saving up for a Bernina. I just wish I had waited instead of buying my Brother Innovis 1200, which is doesn´t like me to take it in the car to my sewing class. It always goes out of lign.

I am going to look into this Bernina 630, I am quite happy with the embroidery unit on the Brother as I don´t use it that much, mainly for making labels.

Thanks for the info

Elle

Elle....my techie said that when you transport...its common for things to get a tad "off"...and he was talking about Berninas...so it can happen to them too. I have taken mine to a couple of classes and it hasn't happened to her yet..but it could I guess. I still love her though!

Right, thanks Patti, but LOL you haven´t seen the Spanish roads in the villages where I live, they are getting better, but they love those sleeping policemen bumps in the road out here.

I'm sure there are some doozies...I know we have much more than our share of potholes!!!...so I can sympathize with ya' :roll:

My daughter has the 640, and she loves it. I use it often when I am at her house, and I would highly recommend it. It comes with BSR, and it also alerts you when the bobbin runs out.

Berninas are built with expectations of traveling to classes or wherever. That's why their accessories case snaps onto them, that's for travel and taking goodies with it. I've drug my Bernina back and forth to classes for nearly three years, and quite a few classes at that. Not even a hint of a complaint from the machine. Actually I've flown across country with it and didn't need anything tweaked or repaired on arrival, and it was not taken as a carry on, but in its original box as cargo. Taking my Bernina to classes -- I don't even give it a second thought. These machines are shipped all over the country and world every day by dealers near and far and they arrive just fine, and seldom with anything wrong.

gee i don,t know i just went and got the artista 730e bernida and i just love my sewing machine ,but if you,r just looking for stitch regulator than you can also buy the elna ,i also have one and i can ues it for quilting in all directions same thing hope i help

Thanks for the thumbs up on the travelling to class with a Bernina, I know several at my class have Berninas and I will ask them too for their opinion. I think a couple have stopped taking them because of timing problems.

Elle

They do??? Goes to show I know nothing! Where do they snap to?

I have a Bernina 440 QE -- and I love her! No embroidery module and she's a real workhorse!! :D

The accessories case snaps right on the back of the machine behind the open area.



Bernina computerized machines have features that allow you to calibrate your machine. It only takes a few seconds. I calibrate mine each time I move it.

I have the 440QE, and I love it. It comes with the BSR. I also bought the embroidery module and never use it.

How do you calibrate the machine????????? :D

Check your manual. Look under 'Display' in the index. That's where it is listed in the manual for my 820.

Well, duh! If all else fails, read the instructions!! :lol: :lol: Thanks!

Yes! It's wonderful. I didn't realize the included toolbox snapped onto the back until the owner's class. Bernina also offers suitcase trolleys for taking your machine along, as well as another, matching one for the embroidery unit. Bernina says machines..."...can be easily and elegantly transported thanks to the suitcase system with built-in trolley..."

Here are pictures of my toolbox, so you can see how it goes on the back of the machine.

I have the same machine. Ditto to what hulahoop said :D

Well duh....learn something new everyday! I love how the box snaps to the machine..I'm going to have to run try it!

I know that you can calibrate the machine easily..its in same area as the personal settings I believe. My techie showed me how...I've never had to do it though.

Do you have the new 820? I just traded up to the new 830. Went to a 820/830 club at my LQS last week, and we decided the only thing it can't do is open a bottle of wine. My dealer will make that suggestion. lol

Hi! I don't have the new fancy Bernina 830 that recently came out. My old Bernina 830 I purchased 37 years ago, paid $550 for it back then and I still love it. It has sewn lots of quilts over the years, as well as clothes, motorcycle, snowmobile and boat seat covers. I've had it timed only twice during that time frame.

I purchased a Bernina Aurora 440QE just a couple of months ago. I love it! I was only half happy about it when I bought it because I dreaded having to learn to use it. It was so easy, and I was sewing on it as if it were an old friend within a couple of days. It also has an embroidery module which is cheaper to add on than purchasing the integrated embroidery unit. The problem is that you have to have a laptop computer sitting with you in order to use it. Since my husband is an engineer, we have old laptops to spare. (Really, it's silly, but that's how he is. Love him anyway.) After using my new machine for a while, I decided I'd like to have the embroidery unit. Rather than thinking of it as an embroidery unit, it can be used for quilting too.

When I bought mine, the store had a "demo" from a quilt shop, and I got $1,000 off the new price. Interestingly, the "new" machine I would have taken home was the demo in the store where I bought it. Hm. I would never know my "demo" was used, and I'm very happy with it. You might be able to find this kind of a deal if you shop around.

I'm also trying to decide which new B. to buy. Leaning towards the 440 because I mostly want to quilt, but am open to suggestions. Sounds like many of you who are quilting bought 630s/640/s or 730's. Would you all mind telling us why you chose the model that you have?

Thanks,
Margaret

I have a Bernina 1080 and have had it for about 12 to 15 years. right now I have trouble witht he thingy that controls the stitch length. It doesn't work. The default settings are the only ones I have available to me. I have lusted after the Pfaff too. so you are one lucky lady to have both especially if they both work!

I have a Bernina 440QE. I think it is the cheapest with the BSR foot. The difference with the 440 is that you can't quilt using the zig-zag stitch. It also only has a 9mm width for it's design stitches. If you are not going to use the embroidery unit, it's great.

Look for demo models coming soon in your area. They used loads of them at all the classes and booths at the International Quilt Festival.

I have the equivalent of the 730 I actually bought it because it was the best "used" deal in the store at the time. After taking the classes and using it...it is the one I would buy if I had had a choice anyway. I like the way it functions and the way you use the computer with the machine. I love being able to use my choice of standard machine designs, USB stick, Artista card or a direct link to my computer for embroidery. I didn't think I would use the embroidery at all....but I found that I really do and I love it!

I do have the new 820. I love it. I just went to the owners class on Monday. They are fantastic machines. :D (I had the embroidery module with my 730 and only used it once, so I decided I didn't need the 830.)

I HAVE A 440 QUILTERS EDITON, I JUST FINISHED MY EXTRA LARGE KING SIZE QUILT ON IT , I USED THE BSR, IT WAS FABULOUS,

And so...did you post a pic of it Campbell? We wanna see!!!