Question about Bernina's
09-11-2011, 07:43 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 976
I was looking this weekend at the Bernina 350 & 380 I know theres some additional stitches available on the 380. My question is for those that use these machines can you tell me if one machine is worth more in the sense of things it can do over the other machine. I tried to talk to our lady that deals with the machines but I was on sensory overload. Thought I'd ask here if there is one that is better than the other. I know there's a big price difference, but I want a machine that will last me a long time.
09-11-2011, 07:51 PM
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I'm not sure, but I found this site that does comparison reviews. You can select Bernina 350 and Bernina 380 to compare. (Looks like there is also a Bernina B 380.)
http://sewing-machine.diplo-best.com.../BERNINA%20350
I didn't get the comparison to work, but the link above is to the reviews on the 350. The link below is to the reviews on the 380:
http://sewing-machine.diplo-best.com.../BERNINA%20380
Also found these threads:
http://www.thequiltshow.com/bb3/view...hp?f=54&t=3792
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php?topic=12559.0
http://sewing-machine.diplo-best.com.../BERNINA%20350
I didn't get the comparison to work, but the link above is to the reviews on the 350. The link below is to the reviews on the 380:
http://sewing-machine.diplo-best.com.../BERNINA%20380
Also found these threads:
http://www.thequiltshow.com/bb3/view...hp?f=54&t=3792
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php?topic=12559.0
09-12-2011, 03:48 AM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 225
I have a Bernina Activa 240, which was the older equivalent of the 380. In the Activa series, there were more differences between the 230PE and the 240 than there are between the 350PE and 380, which made it easier for me to select the 240, which had much better lighting and other features that I wanted.
There are actually fewer differences now between the 350PE and 380 than there were between the Activa 230PE and 240. For example it looks like the same LED lighting is on the 330, 350PE and 380 machines. Also, the 240 came with 3 alphabets, while the 380 comes with 2 (the same as the 350PE).
If you go to the Bernina website and download the 380 (or 350) brochure, the last page has a list of what is included for each machine, and you can easily see the differences:
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...inglepages.pdf
You can also download a sewing stitch table brochure for each machine. See if there's something that you would find very useful:
350
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...350_Stiche.pdf
380
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...380_Stiche.pdf
Functionality
==========
The 380 has a stitch mirror image function, while the 350PE does not. This is one of the major reasons as to why I purchased my Activa 240, rather than the 230PE, as I originally intended to use my 240 mostly for applique and wanted to be able to flip applique stitches.
There are a couple extra automatic button holes on the 380, but if you don't do much garment sewing, that would probably not make much of a difference to you.
There are 27 more decorative stitches on the 380, than on the 350PE. I like embellish applique with decorative stitches, so this was another reason why I chose the 240.
Accessories
=========
The 350PE (Patchwork Edition) comes with the #57 presser foot, which the 380 does not.
The 380 comes with the #8 (jeans) and #20 (embroidery -- extremely useful for applique) presser feet.
The 380 comes with the FHS (Free Hand System (knee lift), which the 350PE does not. This was one of the deciding factors for me to get the Activa 240, because this is so useful when doing applique work.
The 380 comes with an Accessories box, rather than bag. If it is like the one that came with my Activa 240, then this is a VERY nice accessory. However, this did not enter into my decision to purchase the 240 over the 230PE. Still, it is REALLY nice.
For being smaller machines, these are packed with quality and features. I can easily carry my 240 to classes. My 240 came with the solid presser feet, which I personally greatly prefer over snap-on feet. I ended up using my 240 for sewing most of my patchwork.
See the 380 in action … Video Course
http://www.berninausa.com/product_de...-i315-sUS.html
Added later ...
I forgot to mention, that these machines do come on sale, so you could probably save some money if you waited for a sale. Or, if you want the 380 but also want to do patchwork on it, ask them to sweeten the deal with a #57 1/4" presser foot (or a #37 if you don't like having a flange on the side).
There are actually fewer differences now between the 350PE and 380 than there were between the Activa 230PE and 240. For example it looks like the same LED lighting is on the 330, 350PE and 380 machines. Also, the 240 came with 3 alphabets, while the 380 comes with 2 (the same as the 350PE).
If you go to the Bernina website and download the 380 (or 350) brochure, the last page has a list of what is included for each machine, and you can easily see the differences:
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...inglepages.pdf
You can also download a sewing stitch table brochure for each machine. See if there's something that you would find very useful:
350
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...350_Stiche.pdf
380
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...380_Stiche.pdf
Functionality
==========
The 380 has a stitch mirror image function, while the 350PE does not. This is one of the major reasons as to why I purchased my Activa 240, rather than the 230PE, as I originally intended to use my 240 mostly for applique and wanted to be able to flip applique stitches.
There are a couple extra automatic button holes on the 380, but if you don't do much garment sewing, that would probably not make much of a difference to you.
There are 27 more decorative stitches on the 380, than on the 350PE. I like embellish applique with decorative stitches, so this was another reason why I chose the 240.
Accessories
=========
The 350PE (Patchwork Edition) comes with the #57 presser foot, which the 380 does not.
The 380 comes with the #8 (jeans) and #20 (embroidery -- extremely useful for applique) presser feet.
The 380 comes with the FHS (Free Hand System (knee lift), which the 350PE does not. This was one of the deciding factors for me to get the Activa 240, because this is so useful when doing applique work.
The 380 comes with an Accessories box, rather than bag. If it is like the one that came with my Activa 240, then this is a VERY nice accessory. However, this did not enter into my decision to purchase the 240 over the 230PE. Still, it is REALLY nice.
For being smaller machines, these are packed with quality and features. I can easily carry my 240 to classes. My 240 came with the solid presser feet, which I personally greatly prefer over snap-on feet. I ended up using my 240 for sewing most of my patchwork.
See the 380 in action … Video Course
http://www.berninausa.com/product_de...-i315-sUS.html
Added later ...
I forgot to mention, that these machines do come on sale, so you could probably save some money if you waited for a sale. Or, if you want the 380 but also want to do patchwork on it, ask them to sweeten the deal with a #57 1/4" presser foot (or a #37 if you don't like having a flange on the side).
09-12-2011, 04:01 AM
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: 339 High st Burlington NJ 08016
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by countryone77
I have a Bernina Activa 240, which was the older equivalent of the 380. In the Activa series, there were more differences between the 230PE and the 240 than there are between the 350PE and 380, which made it easier for me to select the 240, which had much better lighting and other features that I wanted.
There are actually fewer differences now between the 350PE and 380 than there were between the Activa 230PE and 240. For example it looks like the same LED lighting is on the 330, 350PE and 380 machines. Also, the 240 came with 3 alphabets, while the 380 comes with 2 (the same as the 350PE).
If you go to the Bernina website and download the 380 (or 350) brochure, the last page has a list of what is included for each machine, and you can easily see the differences:
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...inglepages.pdf
You can also download a sewing stitch table brochure for each machine. See if there's something that you would find very useful:
350
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...350_Stiche.pdf
380
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...380_Stiche.pdf
Functionality
==========
The 380 has a stitch mirror image function, while the 350PE does not. This is one of the major reasons as to why I purchased my Activa 240, rather than the 230PE, as I originally intended to use my 240 mostly for applique and wanted to be able to flip applique stitches.
There are a couple extra automatic button holes on the 380, but if you don't do much garment sewing, that would probably not make much of a difference to you.
There are 27 more decorative stitches on the 380, than on the 350PE. I like embellish applique with decorative stitches, so this was another reason why I chose the 240.
Accessories
=========
The 350PE (Patchwork Edition) comes with the #57 presser foot, which the 380 does not.
The 380 comes with the #8 (jeans) and #20 (embroidery -- extremely useful for applique) presser feet.
The 380 comes with the FHS (Free Hand System (knee lift), which the 350PE does not. This was one of the deciding factors for me to get the Activa 240, because this is so useful when doing applique work.
The 380 comes with an Accessories box, rather than bag. If it is like the one that came with my Activa 240, then this is a VERY nice accessory. However, this did not enter into my decision to purchase the 240 over the 230PE. Still, it is REALLY nice.
For being smaller machines, these are packed with quality and features. I can easily carry my 240 to classes. My 240 came with the solid presser feet, which I personally greatly prefer over snap-on feet. I ended up using my 240 for sewing most of my patchwork.
See the 380 in action … Video Course
http://www.berninausa.com/product_de...-i315-sUS.html
Added later ...
I forgot to mention, that these machines do come on sale, so you could probably save some money if you waited for a sale. Or, if you want the 380 but also want to do patchwork on it, ask them to sweeten the deal with a #57 1/4" presser foot (or a #37 if you don't like having a flange on the side).
There are actually fewer differences now between the 350PE and 380 than there were between the Activa 230PE and 240. For example it looks like the same LED lighting is on the 330, 350PE and 380 machines. Also, the 240 came with 3 alphabets, while the 380 comes with 2 (the same as the 350PE).
If you go to the Bernina website and download the 380 (or 350) brochure, the last page has a list of what is included for each machine, and you can easily see the differences:
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...inglepages.pdf
You can also download a sewing stitch table brochure for each machine. See if there's something that you would find very useful:
350
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...350_Stiche.pdf
380
http://www.berninausa.com/webautor-d...380_Stiche.pdf
Functionality
==========
The 380 has a stitch mirror image function, while the 350PE does not. This is one of the major reasons as to why I purchased my Activa 240, rather than the 230PE, as I originally intended to use my 240 mostly for applique and wanted to be able to flip applique stitches.
There are a couple extra automatic button holes on the 380, but if you don't do much garment sewing, that would probably not make much of a difference to you.
There are 27 more decorative stitches on the 380, than on the 350PE. I like embellish applique with decorative stitches, so this was another reason why I chose the 240.
Accessories
=========
The 350PE (Patchwork Edition) comes with the #57 presser foot, which the 380 does not.
The 380 comes with the #8 (jeans) and #20 (embroidery -- extremely useful for applique) presser feet.
The 380 comes with the FHS (Free Hand System (knee lift), which the 350PE does not. This was one of the deciding factors for me to get the Activa 240, because this is so useful when doing applique work.
The 380 comes with an Accessories box, rather than bag. If it is like the one that came with my Activa 240, then this is a VERY nice accessory. However, this did not enter into my decision to purchase the 240 over the 230PE. Still, it is REALLY nice.
For being smaller machines, these are packed with quality and features. I can easily carry my 240 to classes. My 240 came with the solid presser feet, which I personally greatly prefer over snap-on feet. I ended up using my 240 for sewing most of my patchwork.
See the 380 in action … Video Course
http://www.berninausa.com/product_de...-i315-sUS.html
Added later ...
I forgot to mention, that these machines do come on sale, so you could probably save some money if you waited for a sale. Or, if you want the 380 but also want to do patchwork on it, ask them to sweeten the deal with a #57 1/4" presser foot (or a #37 if you don't like having a flange on the side).
You're Hired!
09-12-2011, 04:20 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 378
It depends really on what kind of sewing you do. The 350 has all the stitches you need for quilting. If you want to do fancy stitching the 380 has the features already mentioned. Both have the new great light. The knee lifter can be added later for about $125 or less depending on your shop.
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