Buying a Bernina?!
 

Soooo... there are just sooooo many machines out there... it can very very confusing navigating through it all. I'm leaning toward a Bernina... but not sure of the type. I looked at the Bernina 550QE...

Does anyone have this model? Or have other suggestions... this is my FIRST machine. My husband has down quite a bit of research as well.... and feels we should buy the one we plan on keeping for the long haul...

Thanks for the help!! I'm all ears... and sooo anxious to get started!!

Kelli:o

You will love it!! I bought a Bernina a year before I retired, (4 yrs. ago) you will not regret it. I bought the 75 year anniversary Quilter model. with BSR. I never would have learned free motion quilting without it. Best machine I have ever had, and I have had them all. Been quilting since 1975.

I have the 440QE and love it.

So glad you are starting with a Bernina! You will love it. I hope over the next few years you also have the chance to sew on other brands, because then you will really appreciate the value of your machine for the long run.

Jan in VA

I have had a few machines and nothing compares to my Bernina. Nothing comes even close! I did need the free lesson though. She does so very much and if I hadn't taken the lessons, I wouldn't know all she does! So plan on taking the lessons right away.

I really like my 440QE (and vintage 730 and 1630). I don't think you will ever regret your purchase of a Bernina. The suggestion to take the classes is a good one. There are so many features that just are not mentioned in the manual. Even simple things like a thread cutter down in the bobbin area to cut the thread once you've but the bobbin case in - I never would have known that great feature with out going to the classes.

I have a Bernina 440 QE also and really like it. I have a viking that I bought before the bernina and It is a very good machine also.

Fabulous machine and easy to use. Make sure your dealer offers good support, maintaince and classes.

I adore my Bernina (430, but ive sewn on the one you mentioned)

Just a suggestion - look at the new 710/750/780 series. If you can swing it I think you will be much happier in the long run. what is the advantage? Larger throat space (10" - just 2" shy of the new 830) even feed feet available (called IDT on Pfaffs ) sort of like a built in walking foot. Larger bobbin - holds about 70% more than the standard sewing machine bobbins, even more than the new 830!!!

Ask me how I know - I just came back from the Bernina store (they had a fabric sale today) and was looking at these. I have a 730 but think I will be selling it and going with either the 710 or 750.

Thanks so much for all the responses!! I appreciate the input..... I've got some shopping to do!!! It seems I can't go wrong with Bernina!!

Love my Bernina (s) I think is more important to have a trusting Bernina dealer. Talk to your quilting buddies and ask and the dealers and customer service. You not only paying for the machine but the long term services you will need.

Just a quick note - the new 700 series uses the same feet as the 440 and all of the other machines since the Activa series came out. You will need to purchase some of the feet that have the dual feed in order to take advantage of that feature and some of those feet also come with the machine. As you can tell I did spend quite a bit of time there today looking.

I bought my 550QE in August and I gotta say, I'm in Love! Its got the BSR and I'm now doing FMQ and having a ball. I also have a Huskavarna Viking and it's been in the shop 4 times in 4 years, no comparison whatsoever to my Bernina with stitch quality, I am sooo impressed with the quality.

My husband kindly got me a Berninia 530 for Christmas so I also am embarking on a new adventure. I posted about the same question a few days ago and have received many kind repsonses about the machine. Many have suggested the lessons which I am going to take. I have a Viking that was bought in 1972 and have been very pleased with that machine. Get the Berninia and let's sew!!

Buying a Bernina
 

I've been sewing since I was 10 and have owned Singer Treadle machines, Singer computerized machines, Phaff, Viking and everything in between. I didn't know how good a sewing machine could be until I bought my first Bernina (A 200E converted to a 730 w/o the BSR) It is without a doubt the best machine I have ever owned. I also, since then, bout a 700 and a 910 (mechanical machines) and those sew just as well, but without all the bells and whistles the 200E has. I gave the 700 to my sister and sold the 910 to one of my Aunts who had bought a singer from walmart and almost lost her religion. LOL They were both very happy with their machines and wondered how they had ever lived without a Bernina. I'm with some of the others in recommending the new 7 series. If I could afford one, the 780 would definitely be on my list of purchases for the new year. I love the embroidery features, having never owned an embroidery machine before, I wasn't sure how I would like it, but fell in love with all of the things it could do.
Any Bernina you buy would be better than just about any machine out there and you will not be regretful of your purchase.
Good luck and have fun with your new purchase, no matter what you decide on.
Allen Duhon

If you think you want to do embroidery go with the 580. I love mine! And will keep it forever even if I add another to the family. Let us know what you get.

I have said this many times "You get what you pay for" and a Bernina is worth every penny. Once you make the deicision to buy one, then make a list of what features are important to you. Some wonderful features are standard, like the knee lift, but others are not. Do you want the BSR, is a larger throat important? Do you want embroidery, doe the machine allow you to add embroidery or a BSR later, if price is an issue?

I too have a 440QE and I love it!

ditto here !!!!

Me, too! Love love love....

I was lucky enough to buy a used Bernina 730E with 6 hrs. on it ! I love it ! But, and there's usually a but (lol) I wished it had a built in walking foot. I think the presser feet, diff size throat plates are expensive, but still love a Bernina !

I have a Bernina 440QE with BRS and I love it. The machine I used before I got it was a featherweight and I thought I would still use it once in a while. I have not touched it in about 4 years.

If you can't afford the model with the built in walking foot get a Bernina walking foot for your model right away. They have the best walking foot I have ever used. I wouldn't be without it for my Bernina 640. I just bought the embroidery module for mine...another new toy to play with!

I have the 440 great machine. Sure it is alot like the 1 you are looking at

About 15 years ago I invested in a good machine. I bought a Husquavarna quilter and like it. But now that I am older, I really would like to have a machine that has a needle threader and knee pressure foot lift. I suggest that you go someplace that you can test drive a few machines.

Sylvia

I have an almost new Bernina 780 with only a few hours of usage for sale. I also have another top-of-the-line machine, but only need one. Getting to old (85) to do so much sewing and embroidery anymore. The 780 is Bernina'a latest model embroidery and sewing machine with many great features. You can find it on the Berninausa.com website in the 7 series category. It gives all the feature this machine has. A picture is available on request and for more information please contact me at 360 424-5229 (Washington state).

I have the aurora 630.... She is called Tina and after my daughters she is the woman I love most!!!!!!!!!


Hugs

Caroline