Bernina Stitch Regulator - Is it worth the price?
 

I have an older Bernina that works just fine for piecing, and a walking foot for stitch in the ditch. But, I stink at free motion quilting. One of the problems is varying length of stitches. The Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) sounds like a cool tool. Problem is that in order to get one, I have to buy a machine the BSR device with software will work on. Just went to a Bernina store today and looked at used machines. The lowest I could get a machine and BSR was $2400 --quite a bit over my budget. So, is it worth it to bite the bullet and pay that much? Is it really that good?

Try one before buying it. But, remember that FMQ will only get better with practice. I use my BSR all the time. Wouldn't be without it.

I know from experience it does take practice. I do not have a bernina or a BSR I recently took classes on fmg and the teacher told me my stiches were good and I have had several people tell me the same thing. I do keep practicing but now I am not afraid to do it on my quilts. Have you ever tried silk thread #100?? It is very forgiving and silk thread is very stong. I am sure that is what has helped me using it and trying different designs.

I machine quilt and piece on a Bernina 1530 and yes it just takes practice. I just hadn't done any free motion and much stitch length was a little short in length but I was able to stay on the lines. I am going to make some charity quilts for kids and use them to practice on. GOOD LUCK and hang in there. What Bernina wants for a new machine is just TOO RICH for my budget...

some like it and some don't. One can learn good FMQ without it.

I have not heard of silk thread #100. Who makes it and where can I find it. What makes it better than the cotton?

Free motion is like any other skill - you have to practice! The key to even stitches with the feed dogs down is to move at a consistent speed! Free motion on standard home sewing machine are good on smaller quilts say baby quilt size (40 x 60) at the most. I have quilted a bunch of quilts even up to two of them 120 x 120 and it is a hassle on any of my regular home machines! I have tried out longarm quilting as well. Even there with a stitch regulator, it takes practice to have even smooth lines on a long arm (where stitch length is good and steady) but practice helps with the smoothness.
Don't beat yourself up about free motion and practice on quilts that are not important to be perfect. I have to relax and white wine helps to get me going when I am doing free motion.
Bottom line: a Bernina with stitch regulator would be really nice to have, but at that price I would have be making enough money to not mind the cost.

I had one and sold it when we got a long arm.It is like the needle is the pen and the quilt is the paper-to me it was awkward.It did work great-just awkward to me.When you use a long arm you are moving the pen and the paper stays still.I advise sitting a dealer and playing for about an hr. You will at least know if you are going to be comfortable quilting that way.For me anything very large was not fun on a domestic machine.

I would love a stitch regulator, there isn't one for me. I do FMQ on one of 2 of my Domestic machines. I've done lots and lost of big quilts, a little tough getting started in the center, not too bad.

The BSR is great. I have it on my 830. But remember itis not a magic too that will take the place of practice. It is just an aid to help you. You will still have to learn with the BSR. I found it easier to learn without first and then got better when I got my new machine. The more you FMQ the better you will get. Don't be so hard on your self.