Sewing machines
 

looking at Bernina 475qe have a Janome 6600p but having problems with it looking to buy a new one any suggestions would be welcome.

Welcome! I don't know anything about Berninas but I have had a Janome 6600 for 11 years and just replaced the thread cutter in January 2019. They are workhorse machines and you hardly ever hear of problems with them. You didn't say what kind of problems you are having with the 6600 but chances are it can be repaired.
Also a search of this forum will yield all kinds of discussions on machines.
Good luck with your choices.

I absolutely love my Bernita!

I have had an loved Bernina machines for 50 years. They are easy to use and maintain. I cannot imagine buying anything else.

I would buy a Bernina over any other brand. They are wonderful machines.

I would be tempted to trade a couple of my vintage machines for a Bernina. But they work so well everything else is devolution.

I'll just preface this with the fact that I sew on a Janome 8900 QCP and love it. I hear lots of people rave about Bernina's as the best machine out there, and in their opinion it is. My MIL has a Bernina and it has given her lots of trouble; so much she is thinking about switching to another brand. I think Tartan is right. You have to find the best machine for you. Maybe it's a Bernina, maybe it's not...

I've mostly used vintage machines older than I am for the last 30 years or so. This past fall my friend gave me her replaced modern Bernina 820. She simply did not click with the machine and bought herself a different Bernina, because it is her favorite brand. She loves that machine.

So I have nothing to go on in comparisons with other modern machines but I just love Bernie! It has an extra large bobbin, huge throat space, a self threader, and a knee foot lift (which my friend never used but I do it all the time). At first I had to struggle with myself to use the modern features but I've quickly gotten used to them.

The 820 had a lot of negative reaction and they stopped making them fairly quickly. My friend's machine had no real problems and while not right for her, has been excellent for me.

I have a couple of friends that own Berninas and love them. The only issue they have is that the extra foot attachments have to be bought separately. I own a Janome 6600 and absolutely love it. I bought it used 10 years ago and have not had any problems with it at all. Just my personal opinion.

I have a Janome 6600 and I really am happy with it. So I am curious about what types of problems you are having and how long you had the machine..... maybe I need to watch out for what you are dealing with now :)

I love my Juki F600, it’s been trouble free and love it more than my Janome. Do go test drive if you have the opportunity.

Straight stitch only machines for me. Juki and Babylock Jane.

Welcome.

I agree with this. I"ve had 3 Bernina sewing machines and a Bernina serger. They've all been a delight to sew on.

That new Bernina 475 is a pretty great machine! The new 375 is a smaller, but pretty packed machine! But I have my eye on the 590! The Jumbo Bobbin is on the 475 and 590, but not on the 375. And you have to go up to the 5 Series to get embroidery, or the Dual Feed. The 4 and 5 Series can use the Bernina Stitch Regulator.

I just bought the new version of the Bernina 570 QE and I love it! It is a delight to sew with. This new version has many of the features previously only offered on machines in the 7 and 8 series, like jumbo bobbin, 8.5" to the right of the needle, dual feed. Bernina was offering $500 off on this model (and some others) until the end of March, and I took advantage of that.

Is the machine you are talking about numbered 570QE or is there a newer number for the newer version?

I've had my Bernina since 1992 and have never had a problem with it. I do have it tuned up faithfully every 1 1/2 years. I love my sewing machine and if I had to buy another it will definitely be a Bernina. Good luck with your decision.

I'm a Janome gal myself...own 3 of them. I'd have the 6600P checked out first (tune up) and if it is still giving you problems look at the Bernina.

Buying a sewing machine is kind of like buying a car - a personal preference of what you are comfortable with. Listen to what others have to say from their experience but bottom line, it is your choice and what you want.

I like Berninas and have 2 of them, a 220 and 440qe. That being said, I have had nothing but problems with my 440. TI had to replace the mother board twice at my own expense because the warranty had expired and then my bobbin winder broke so Ibrought it to 3 different technicians and they all said it would have to be sent to Bernina. Long story short, I just bought a Janome 9450 and love, love love it!!! Good luck in buying your machine, as it is something that you will have for a very long time!!

I like the Bernina machines--Have 2 of them and have never had a problem with either one. I did buy mine from a local dealer and do take them in for service when the machines tell me to (they are both computer machines and seem to be smarter than me). LOL

The new model I bought is "Bernina 570 QE" (Quilter's Edition). I believe the original model was "Bernina 570". You can see this machine (and probably any brand and model of machine you want to see) in action on Youtube. Just put the name and model number in the search bar and tutorials demonstrating the use of the machine and it's features will come up in the list on the right. Click on those you want to see. You can find out if Bernina is currently having a sale on any machines by visiting their website. There were several machines on sale in March. Happy shopping!

Thanks so much for the clarification and all the extra information

I'm a Babylock girl...own two of them...Symphony (big one) and Melody (travel size) Love them...

I love my Pfaff's and my Husqvarna Viking Epic Embroidery machine. Crossing to a Bernina, no thanks.

I have sewn on every brand except janome and I am a brother girl through and through. I did like pfaff and viking over bernina though but not enough to ditch brother. I am the oddball that can't stand bernina and after sewing on several feel that they are overly hyped up and don't live up to what they cost which is an arm and a leg for less features.

I agree with Dolphngyrl, and you are not the oddball. The fact that Bernina "nickels and dimes you" for every thing you will need in addition to the main body turns my head to even wanting to go to a Bernina.

The difference is NG, which stands for "Next Generation." The "old" 570 and the NG 570 are both sold as QE or QEE (with embroidery). I wish Bernina wouldn't re-use their model numbers. It gets so confusing! The NG machines have a bigger throat space, use the Jumbo Bobbin, and have the built-in Dual Feed. The old 570 are smaller, use an oscillating hook and no dual feed. Both have the 9 mm stitch width.

Thanks for the clarification, quiltedsunshine. This is my first Bernina, I'm not knowledgeable on other models.

Welcome to the QB bava. Like Murphy224 and meyert, I am curious as to what problems you are having with your 6600. I have had mine since 2011 and it has been a workhorse for me...I was going to sell it when I purchased a Janome 8900 but I just couldn’t part with it. I also don’t think you can go wrong with a Bernina...yes, they are more expensive but the quality and durability is worth it IMHO. Good luck in your search for a machine that is right for you.

yes, thanks quiltedsunshine

I agree, but the main reasons I decided to get a Bernina were: Pfaff isn't made by Pfaff anymore, and Bernina is one company which still manufactures their own machines (not in Switzerland anymore, but at their own facility in Thailand) and more importantly, they still manufacture their own parts. I learned that many times these newer models quickly become obsolete simply because parts for them are not available for the repairmen to use. What the companies do is offer a ten year warranty on parts, but in six years you can't get your machine fixed because the particular part is unavailable. Why? Because the part you need is not covered by the warranty, instead it is considered a "wear and tear" part. And the company only keeps stock of the specific parts covered under the warranty. For ten years.