Bernina Aurora 440 QE or 570 QE?
 

Hi, I am hoping for help with my indecision. I currently have a Bernina 1130 which I love, but am looking for another machine with BSR so I can quilt more on my machine, I get frustrated a bit with free-motion on the 1130. I have found a few wonderful Auroras and am considering one of those and they seem to be solid machines with great reviews. But alas I went to the local quilt store yesterday and am also loving the 570 QE. This one is a bit of a budget stretch for sure, but I could pull it off. I am just trying to decide which machine people might recommend. I have been quilting 16 years, but usually have the actual quilting done by someone else, but I would love to do more of this myself. I love the auto threader on the 570 and the better throat space.... Has anyone used both machines that might be able to help guide me a bit more? I am hoping to buy another pretty quickly. Thanks so much!

The new 570 QE.

I have the Aurora 440QE with the BSR and I use it as an everyday machine as well as a quilting machine. I enjoy it very much. I am not sure what you need to know about it. It has been a wonderful machine and has given me no trouble whatsoever.

I also have the bernina artista 180 upgraded, with the embroidery module that I use to embroider with. It has been a great little machine as well.


Before that I only have a Bernina Record 180. It was a real workhorse and I gave it to my sister in Arizona.

I forgot to tell you that there is a site that rates machines. It is called Pattern review, an on line sewing site. You might want to go over and see how they rate the 570QE.

Does your Aurora 440 have duel feed? Some information I have seen states they do have duel feed and other info not. It is nice that you enjoy your machine so much. I love my old 1130, but just want a few more options than I have now.

I have the 440 and I love it. The BSR helped me with FMQ, but I now have a longarm. I don't know anything about the 570, but I wanted to quilt on the machine then I would definitely go for a larger throat space.

I have the 440QE and it is a great machine for piecing, not so great for quilting (IMO). The BSR is nice but the throat space is tight enough to cause problems for most quilters. The 440 does not have a dual feed feature - there is a separate walking foot for that.

My 440 fits onto the grace frame for larger quilts. But, you are right about the harp not being real big.

What is most appealing to me is the harp space on the 570 QE. I think I may end up with the same issue as my 1130 with the 440 QE if I don't buy a machine with a larger harp space. I love the 770 QE, but that is out of my range. I also heard Bernina is coming out with a new 4 series in September that will have a much lower price than the 570 QE, but many of the bells and whistles! However, I am somewhat impatient! :-)

I would go for the 570 for the extra harp space. Also, I assume the 440's are second hand? I would prefer to buy new with any computerized machine, as it's the computer boards that will go bad eventually, and eventually they become hard to find if you need a replacement.

I've also learned my lesson about skimping on harp space. In the long run you save money by buying the larger machine first, rather than settling for "good enough" and then realizing it doesn't actually meet your needs.

Whichever one you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy it!