New Bernina

Reply Subscribe

Page 2 of 3

Thread Tools

09-01-2009, 06:57 PM

#11

ScubaK

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: South Puget Sound, Wa. State

Posts: 2,462

I am so happy for you getting a new machine!!!
Cannot wait to see what you will create with it!
I do not know Bernina machines so cannot help you on that end...
Just enjoy!
Kirsten

09-01-2009, 08:02 PM

#12

Jim's Gem

Moderator

Join Date: Jun 2008

Location: Camarillo, California

Posts: 35,242

Congratulations on your new Bernina. I have 630e and I love it. Can't think of any other tips at the moment, you have been given the ones that I thought of.

09-02-2009, 05:28 AM

#13

Esqmommy

Super Member

Join Date: May 2009

Location: Tied up in Thread

Posts: 5,109

Barbara - welcome to the club!! I just got a 440QEE about 2 months ago. I wish I had some tips, but I'm still learning the basics of this thing. I've been spending some time working on the embroidery, so that's steered me in other directions. Don't you love the way it sounds when you sew along??

09-02-2009, 05:31 AM

#14

Esqmommy

Super Member

Join Date: May 2009

Location: Tied up in Thread

Posts: 5,109

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluphrog

I've had my 440QE for almost 4 years and I love it. If you've never had a knee lift before, my advice is to use it. Once you get used to lifting the presser foot with the knee lift, you'll love it. It's especially good when you're doing machine applique and have to reposition the fabric every few stitches. Also, during the lessons I took at my LQS, the instructor had us use our left foot for the foot pedal, so that it wouldn't interfere with using the knee lift with the right leg. It was awkward at first, but now I'm used to it.

I do a lot of my free motion quilting by setting the speed and using the on/off button. For some reason, this works better for me than the BSR.

You will probably get some lessons in maintenance, but my biggest hint is to remove the needle plate every time you change the bobbin and clean out the lint. I keep q-tips next to the machine just for doing that.

ARRGGGHHH DONT YOU Q-TIPS-THEY LEAVE FIBERS BEHIND THAT CAN DAMAGE YOUR MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Instead, go get some of those sponge eye shadow applicators and use that instead. You can reuse them, rinse them, etc. and you won't spend more than a couple of bucks. My sewing machine shop said that's a huge NONO".

Aside from that, thanks for the tip about the left foot. Do you find the presser foot lifter easy to use from a regularly sized table? I sew on my dining room table and I feel like it's almost going to jut into me...

09-02-2009, 07:27 AM

#15

bstanbro

Senior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jun 2009

Posts: 851

My lever is a little higher than I would like, meaning that I have to lift my foot off the floor to reach it with my knee. My chair won't go any higher. I think I can get used to this. Just as I'm writing this I'm thinking I might put something on the floor where I can rest my foot high enough that my knee is in the right place.

09-02-2009, 01:44 PM

#16

Lisa T

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: Menominee, Michigan

Posts: 914

Congratulations! I recently got the 430 and I LOVE it!

I have had trouble using the knee lift because my sewing table has an apron on it and it interferes with the lever. At some point I may get a new table, but for now I just won't use the knee lift.

I don't really have any little tricks to share yet, except for this- I was having trouble with missed stitches lately so I changed the needle and that helped.

09-02-2009, 04:38 PM

#17

Quiltgranny

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2009

Location: WA

Posts: 1,372

Quote:

Originally Posted by bebe

I have a 1090S that my grandparents bought me in the 90's. It is a wonderful machine and it has not needed any repair except its yearly cleaning. You will love it!!!!!

Enjoy :!: :wink: :D

Can you tell me what is the difference between your 1090S and my 1090 (not 'S')? I've only had my 1090 for a few months, so am still getting acquainted with it, but I absolutely love it!! Thanks!

09-02-2009, 04:55 PM

#18

Quiltgranny

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2009

Location: WA

Posts: 1,372

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstanbro

I'm excited to say that I just purchased the Bernina 440QE. I'm getting acquainted with it, and it seems pretty user friendly. I get free lessons for life at the store where I bought it. I'm hoping it doesn't take a lifetime of lessons to learn to use it
Any ideas are appreciated.

Congratulations on your new Bernina!! I have two, and older 730 Record that I've had for 15 years and a recently acquired 1090. I love them both for different reasons.

There are a few Bernina forums with many helpful and knowledgeable folks out there willing to answer your questions, too. I belong to this one:

www.berninathirtysomethings

here is another:

http://www.berninacentral.com/

And, of course, there's always Bernina's website:

http://www.berninausa.com/

There may be others, but these are the ones I'm familiar with. Have fun with your new machine!

09-02-2009, 05:26 PM

#19

dunster

Power Poster

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: Lake Elsinore, CA

Posts: 15,163

I got the 440QE almost 3 years ago, and I love it - and the BSR. One of the handiest tips I've learned is especially helpful when I'm sewing with monofilament thread, usually for SID. Press option 2, set the stitch width to 0 and the stitch length to something very small. Now use option 2 when beginning or ending a line of stitching. Go back to option 1 for your regular stitching. It's a lot quicker and easier than changing the stitch length every time you start and stop, and the machine remembers the setting for you. Enjoy your new machine!