Does anyone have this little machine and do you like it? I'm thinking of getting one to take to classes rather than taking my 430.

I would not get a Bernette. I love my Bernina 1230, but the Bernettes cannot compare in quality.

For a class machine, I would look into getting a Janome Gem.

I got a Bernette 46 free for using the Bernina credit card. I actually haven't sewn with it yet. The plastic is mottled and cheap-looking. There's a new line of Bernettes, the 12, 15, 20, and 25, which look very promising. But none of the Bernettes take the Bernina feet. A Bernina 210 or 215 could shared feet with your 430, but they cost about $700 and are only about 5 pounds lighter. I bought a 240, which was recently discontiniued. I don't feel at all deprived, it has the solid, precise feel of my 440. For something lighter, I have a Singer featherweight if all I need is a straight stitch, or my kids' Brother HS 2000 if I want more stitches.

Just FYI, the Bernette is not made by Bernina it is "made for Bernina" and not the quality of Bernina. You may be disappointed if you already have a Bernina, especially the 430 so I would suggest you try and find a little Singer Featherweight or just get a rolling carrier thing to make it easier to take it to class.

I got two Bernette 46's for using 2 different cards. I tried them both out and they sewed great! They are plastic though and will probably scratch up and not look so pretty eventually. I am saving them for my grandchildren that will hopefully come along some day. They will be perfect for kids. I don't think they would be nice for taking to classes though, they just don't seem as well made as the Berninas. I agree with finding another Bernina that would share feet!

One of my machines is a Bernina Bernette and I've never had a problem with it....one of the first biggest projects I made on it was a very large rag quilt and it did well....too, it is light enough to take to class. It is not a expensive machine and I don't expect it to last forever but it seems to fit my need at the moment.

I bought a Singer Athena 1200 at a thrift shop; have cleaned it up and will try it out on my next rag quilt.

my Bernina lady quit selling the Bernettes..said they were nothing but trouble..many parts can not even be found to fix them!

We've sold a lot of the Bernette 46 machines. They have been a very good machine. True, they are not a Bernina. They are a good quality inexpensive machine. The 12,15,20 and 25 are better quality. We have not experienced a single mechanical problem with any of them.

Thanks for all your comments, so now I think I won't get one. My cart for my 430 has wheels so that isn't a problem and I have 3 Featherweights so I'm OK there. I'm just a sewing machine nut and was thinking I needed (wanted) another toy.

I second this opinion. I've gone through 2 Gems - both served me well and then were passed down and are still in use.

Hated it, noisey did not like how it grabed my fabric, I gave it to a 10 yr old child as her first machine

I had a Bernette, bought it for classes, and it was too heavy, also, the quality is lacking for the price. Janome makes a great "take to class" machine.
Michelle

I have this machine and hate it. It smashed everything so hard, I can hardly FMQ on it. I really, really, really dispise this thing. I would never try to sell it to anyone on this board. It is fine for mending or piecing but not much else.

Get a vintage Singer 301 or a Singer 221 Featherweight to take to classes. They are strong little straight stitchers, and easy to move around. All metal so nothing to wear out and no plastic gears to break.

I have a Bernette..it's about 25 yrs old and I like it. Although, currently the stitch regulator needs fixed and I won't pay the money to fix it - I'm cheap!! LOL!!

It's not a heavy duty machine and my 1960s Singer is more of a work horse.