I have been looking at the new top of the line Bernina but it is so expensive. Would you trade in a Bernina 440 with embroid. module for a different brand of machine that would have the same features as the top Bernina and more economical?? If you have done that, what machine did you change to and are you happier with that one? Thank you for your comments!

If I could afford it I would trade my 440 in on it.. or better yet sell my 440 outright. probably get more for it that way. My friend bought the new 830 about 6 months ago and has yet to unpack the embroidery module and has only sewn on it once.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: She has other things to do I guess, Good luck on your decision.

I have a Bernina 830 & a Pfaff Creative vision. They do about the same thing, but the Pfaff was less expensive. The new TOL PFaff is the Creative Sensation. I also understand Brother makes a good model. I use the 830 as my primary machine & the Creative Vision is a backup. Shop around, you never know what you'll find.
Cathy S./Willowwind

I would but Im not a bernina fanatic. If it were me I would go babylock or janome if I was trading in.

The new TOL Janome was just unveiled at $9,999 so it is fairly close to the Bernina; however, I would take any Janome over Bernina any day even if it were more expensive! But because when I had a windfall a year ago and Janome did not have what I wanted, I bought and fell in love with the Babylock Ellisimo! It is an incredible machine. Now it is similar to the Brother Quattro so if you prefer Brother, I would look at that. As to whether to trade in the 440, well, how much do you like/hate the machine?

Well, I have Vikings, the Diamond on down. I haven't traded any in. I like having multiple machines so I can do several things at one time. I use the old Designer I for my basic sewing and the Diamond for strictly embroidery. The Topaz has the same 10" throat as the Diamond so I use that for my quilting projects. Check your dealer for floor models or trade-ins, you can get some great deals that way, and dealers always have the trade-ins serviced to perfection (at least Viking does).

Choosing a machine is a personal decision. Investigate all machines. Make your pro's and con's list. Then decide. It all depends on what you want the machine to do for you and how you use it. You will probably get a better trade in value from a Bernina dealer because you have a Bernina. I have had Pfaff, Viking, Janome, and Bernina machines. All were excellent machines.

You might want to look a Elna. They have a new machine out that I have saw at the dealers bu have not played with it yet.

If you love your machine, keep it.

I used to work as an engineer in an equipment industry (not sewing!). I have tested "new, improved" products and they are not always improved, if you know what I mean. I have found this to be true for sewing also - I have an expensive-ish Viking machine and a vintage Singer 15-91. I do my piecing on the Singer, as it has a much much better straight stitch. I am keeping the Viking for its fancy stitches... but when I sew with Viking on the frame, I find myself wishing for something with better tension regulation for FMQ.

If you re-sell the Bernina, you will get a depreciated price for it. Just like selling a used car, except maybe more depreciation. How long will replacement machine last? If the electronics fail in 5 years will it be repairable? I am all for keeping what works.

If you want more (larger?) embroidery functions, maybe sell your embroidery module and buy a newer, bigger embroidery machine. (non Bernina to reduce the total cost)

Only you know how much u like your sewing machine! Before you trade it in, make sure it's waht you really want!!Don't have regrets!!