My first sewing machine was a Hsqvarna (except they spelled it right), very inexpensive machine (did what I needed it for). To change the feet, there was a screw driver and a tiny little screw. You unscrewed, hoped you didn't lose it, and tried to rescrew it on. Pain.

I switched to Bernina about 2 years ago. Probably my favorite feature on my machine is how easy it is to change the feet. Open lever, pull off foot, put on new foot, close lever.

So my question to y'all - what are other machine brands like? I knew I wanted a Bernina when I upgraded... meant to look at Pfaff and Babylock but fell in love with my machine when I first saw it

I have the Aurora 440 QE and I love it. Been my faithful companion for over 3 years.

iI have used two Kenmore machines. The nice thing is that for only a few of the feet you have to use the screw. The top part of the foot is a holder of the snap on thingy. Pushing a button on the back releases the bottom part of the foot and snap on again to replace it. Very easy too. Only the FMQ and the walking foot require the srew.

I have a Kenmore and a Bernina, I like them both. Bernina has a lever, the Kenmore's feet snap on.

I have a Babylock Ellegante2. Love it. :D :D :D

My Brother's feet snap on.

My Janomes have the feet that snap on except the walking foot and the darning foot. Those you have to unscrew from the machine. Love love love my machines

My first computerized machine - about '88 - was a Viking (Husqvarna), and it had snap-on feet. I upgraded to Pfaff 10 years later, because I needed a new machine, and Pfaff has built in even-feed - and snap-on feet. I now own 3 Pfaffs and love them. If I could talk myself into it, I'd buy the Brother Quattro! I used one at a recent Sit and Sew in Tucson, and it does everything but cut out templates and unsew mistakes. It even sews 1/4" WITHOUT THE SEWER HOLDING THE FABRIC! You have to see it to believe it.

My bottom-of-the-line, workhorse, never-causes-me-any-trouble Brother also just snaps most feet right on. Very handy. There are a very few feet, like the walking foot, that do have to be screwed on.

My machines also have snap on feet... you can also purchase the ankle for a lot of machines and turn them into snap on feet compatible too :wink:

Both my machines a Singer and a Janome have that little lever where the foot pops off and you can put a new one on. I did find out that for the darning foot and the walking foot that whole assembly comes off.

On the Janome Jems, it's so easy to change the foot that I sometimes take it off without meaning to... The release is where a different feature is on my usual machine (a Bernina) and I reach back and hit it, lol.

Pfaff feet snap-on. I have 2 Pfaffs, the feet can be used on either machine. I love my Pfaff.

My Pfaff has snap on feet. Except the darning foot. I love snap on. So easy.

I have snap on except for the quilting and walking foot. My machine has good size thumb screw, one you use a screwdriver on and the other does have slot for driver. My sister's machine has that tiny screw about the size of the screw that holds the needle in. I hate that.

I have two Janomes - both of them of the snap on feet. One has the walking foot that you put on and the other janome has the walking foot attached which is quick and very easy to use. Love that feature.

I have a singer, have never changed the foot.

So by snapping on the feet... is it something that you could break? Or it could come loose if you don't snap it in sufficiently? I'd need to see it... I'm imagining myself breaking it while trying to unsnap

Lol, good solution :D

I think so. :-P

I have a Bernina 440 which I love. Also have an older Pfaff - the feet snap on - very easy. Love both these machines.

My old Bernina has the little level that attaches the feet. The Pfaff has the snap on and the walking foot is built in and be engaged or taken up and not used. Nice feature.

I have a new Husqvarna computerized quilt machine and just about all the feet are snap on and off except for walking foot and darning foot. I have no problems with the screw.

I have a Babylock ellure. Feet snap on and off. I really like it

What foot are you using?

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I also have a pricey Husqavarna Viking & I fully agree with how awkward it is to use that tiny screw to chg. feet. Some are clip-ons but I'm always using my 1/4" foot & walking foot & they require that teeny screw. I have to spend way too much time fiddling with it.

I also don't like where they put the reverse button. It's on the front right above the needle. My hand gets in the way of seeing my stitching to get ready to backtack. I thought that was a really crazy design.

I have a cpl. of other problems with it but always assumed it was just me.

Pat

I have a top of the line brand new Brother and absolutely LOVE it. And the feet just snap on--sooooooo easy to do. Highly recommend this fantastic machine. It makes my life easier!

My Pfaff has easy on/off for presser feet. Love it!

Both of my Vikings have snap on feet (couple of specialty feet you remove the ankle with the screwdriver).

I too have Pfaff machines and like them. I had Bernina 200 previously but did not find it to be as user friendly as the Pfaff. I have to check out that Brother Quattro, tho I am not buying in this economy. Just want to see it in action.

You'll never regret your Bernina. I've never lived near a dealer so have had to go with what is sold nearby. I too had a Viking for years which I loved but it had snap on feet as do my 2 Pfaff machines. My little Baby Lock Maria has a release lever which is nice but I had problems with hitting the lever when using the thread cutter. I love both of my Pfaff's as I have to have a lighter weight machine but my first choice would be another Viking as they are awesome - at least my one was and I used it 16 years and only had it in the shop twice for good measure and not because it had a problem but it was so heavy that I couldn't even scootch it on my desk and I had an abdominal wall injuring meaning no heavy lifting or scootching. Can't stop sewing so now it's a Pfaff. I wanted to check out a Janome as their are rave reviews on them but there has never been a dealer anywhere near me.

I received an Aurora 440 QE w/embroidery for Christmas this year. Wahoo. I love it. I kept my ole friend, the original 830. It is an oldie but goodie and I could not part with it. I hope you enjoy your gift from your Mom as much as I enjoy mine.

my elna you just pull up leaver. Penny

and the huskvarna snaps and the regular janome snaps.