Contemplating New Machine Purchase

[Jo H.]

I test drove a Bernina today. I don't know what number it is. The flyer she gave me says it is The Aurora Anniversary Edition. It has a blue face plate on the front.

I have never owned a Bernina but see that a number of professionals own them so I thought I would try one out before making a decision. Because I want a machine specifically for quilting and general sewing, I am not interested in an embroidery model.

After trying out the BSR and being given a very thorough demonstration by the owner of the shop, I think this machine would do quite nicely. I'm still concerned about the small throat space of the machine; although the owner swears that she can teach me how to do a normal size quilt with it.

I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations from others who own this model or other models. Are you happy with your purchase? What extras should I consider purchasing? I get a better discount if I buy them at the same time as the machine.

I see that I will be paying a lot more now and that Bernina just raised their prices by a lot, but I wasn't in the market last year.

Thanks for any advice/assistance you can lend.

[Jo H.]

Ladyquilter,

It sounds like you are on the right track, as with anything, quilting with the smaller throat area is a challenge, but does get easier with practice. I don't own a bernina, but have heard a lot of good and know many who are happy witht their machines and had I known we had a dealer near us, I would probably own one too, but went to the shop my mother used all the time when she was with us and now take my machines to the bernina dealer for service as they repair and service all makes, sooooo

If you have a good dealer, who is helpful, friendly and not just in it for the sales, then go with the machine that best fits your needs. As far as cost, machines almost doubled in price in our area in the fall of 2006, but a good machine is worth the investment and will keep you quilting for yrs to come.

Whatever you get, I know you will enjoy.

TTFN, Linda in SD

[Jo H.]

I got my Aurora 440 over the summer and love it! My husband surprised me with it and also got the embroidery module which I didn't ask for. (Those salesladies could've talked him into anything -- he was clueless!) I am glad he got the embroidery module though -- I've used it more than I thought I would. The BSR is my favorite feature. I could play with that all day if life didn't get in the way! :lol: As for the throat space, I have quilted my daughter's twin size quilt in it and had no problems. I just squished and shoved until it all fit! I haven't tried anything larger though. Happy shopping!

[Jo H.]

LadyQuilter, I bought my Bernina Aurora 440QE almost a year ago and am thrilled with it. Here is how I stumbled onto my acquisition:

I did have a "previously owned 930" that I took in for service. The technician did such a good job on it, that I decided to have him work on my Bernette serger that I had purchased years ago from a dealer closer to home that had closed. That machine came back to me better than it had ever run. No more breaking chain stitch threads. Like sewing through butter! I would say that your dealer's expertise will add a lot to your sewing experience. I am thrilled with mine and think he is the best (Terry in Tulsa, OK), which is why I visited him when I decided to purchase something to increase my pleasure in quilting.

Pretty new to quilting, I had just stressed and sweat a lot just trying to quilt a little baby quilt, so, realizing I was going to do much quilting very soon, and not wanting to "send it out," I decided to go for equipment that would help be quilt more easily. We went to "look at" a Bernina, and while I had decided to take a few months to make up my mind, my husband encouraged me to take it home right after test-driving it. I thoroughly enjoy using it and have made several quilts on it from start to finish.

The classes your dealer gives on how to use the machine are great and did a lot for improving my basic skills. I was in a hurry to get into quilting with my new equipment, but I took the time to take the three full days of classes to get to know my machine better. Then I also took a day class of "free motion quilting" and "bobbin work" which really broke the ice for me. Ricky's DVD, Grand Finale, is also extremely helpful, and at less than the price of a class, I can repeat his "class" as often as I feel like it. Although I use the BSR almost all the time for free motion, I am even beginning to enjoy working some without the "training wheels."

I also took the Bernina class discount opportunities to add several feet to make my kind of sewing easier.
3-manual button hole foot (great for gathering and mini-piping)
7-tailor tack foot (dimension moss/grass--love it)
18-button sew on foot (adjusts for different thicknesses, and great for sewing on flowers, doodads, and whatever you can think of, like even ribbon embroidery!)
22-three cord couching foot (line up the cords and have fun)
32-7 groove pintucking foot (admittedly, this is the only foot I have not yet used, but oh, I can't wait to get to it for sewing and quilting)
39-clear embroidery foot (couching over thin cords-recently used it to make a "designer" trim on a jumper with decorative, metallic cord--and great for fancy work on quilted post card exchanges)
43-free motion couching foot (what fun, but tricky to find the right thickness--this and the clear embroidery foot I got with that lovely Bernina rebate last fall!)
I also added a single hole needle plate,
and two bobbin racks and one foot rack to my machine's "closet" which I just love.
I did get the circular embroidery tool, don't use it a lot, but am glad I have it. (one circular label and a circular applique for a blouse so far, but it has lots of creative opportunities for using the built in decorative stitches)

I also bought the smaller clear acrylic table, but I would recommend getting the largest you can afford unless you are going to have a table with the machine down in it, making for a flat working surface. The hardest part of free motion quilting is keeping the edges of the quilt from snagging on the corners of your work surface, but your skill and technique improves with each quilt. After doing one 80x102 quilt, I became fearless. Now the quilting is the most fun part for me. Just remember: you are not quilting in the center of the quilt for very long!

I did already have an embroidery machine with software, so I did not get the embroidery option for my Aurora, but I still dream about it, and maybe someday I will be tempted. The Bernina designs are just gorgeous and very "my style." The only reason I am not more excited about adding the embroidery equipment to my Aurora is that if I am embroidering on it, I will have to wait to sew on it. If you don't have an embroidery capability, I would suggest you really think about it, because it is a very affordable way to get the embroidery capability if you don't want to add another machine. I especially love embroidering very creative quilt labels and sometimes make labels for special friends. BTW, with embroidery software you can quickly set up your designs for eye-catching appeal and balance and know just where the words/designs will start and end.

Another reason to think about adding the embroidery: The built-in alphabets are fine for very small jobs, but I prefer using the embroidery software and machine when more than a few initials or short words are desired.

And finally, I must praise the Bernina walking foot! That easy-to-pop-on walking foot has been a real favorite of mine, and I find I use it often with tricky fabrics even in clothing construction. My other brand embroidery machine did have one, but with an adapter and a couple of screws to put it on, I dreaded installing and removing it. If your equipment comes with a walking foot, or if you are buying one separately, make sure it goes on easily and quickly, or you won't be using it all you should!

Now, as far as your Anniversary Edition is concerned, it is an eye-catcher! Just gorgeous, but I have no idea what sewing on it is like! When I shopped for mine, I didn't know that one was coming out, and now I am smitten with mine.

Happy Quilting!
Louisa Betts
from the sticks of OK
edited to fix some typos (or is it keyboard-ohs?)
edited again to add an accessory I forgot to mention

[Jo H.]

DH gave me the Aurora 440 for my birthday in October. I love how the machine sews and the BSR. The BSR takes some practice. I do wish it had more throat area. If your are considering the embroidery option, check with your dealer to make sure your computer is compatible. I have heard of problems with Windows Vista and Bernina compatabilty. I don't have the embroidery option, so I don't know for sure. I do love my Bernina and have been using the heck out of it.

[Jo H.]

I would have to highly recommend the 440QEE (with embroidery). I bought mine in October and really love it. I didn't think I would use the embroidery unit but I did for xmas this year and I have some other quilt squares planned with embroidery in them. I figured for the price the 440 had everything I would need and with the embroidery unit and BSR for cheaper than the 640 which I was looking at as well. The main avantage tothe 640 is you don't have to be hooked up to a computer when you use the embroidery function but personally that's not enough for me to buy it.

There is a small delay when using the embroidery software on a Vista operating system but I know Bernina is working on a solution to that. My solution was to install the software on my kitchen computer which runs XP and that's where I embroider, plus I can make dinner at the same time LOL.

I think the Bernina was the best investment I have ever made in a machine. Hope that helps.

[Sherry B.]

I agree with all you ladies who recommended the Bernina! My DH gave me the 730 for my birthday last year and I still have my old 170. I love them both! I absolutely love the BSR and am now happily quilting my own quilts. I was listening to Alex's podcast one day and she had a lady on named Paula Reid who quilts a lot of Alex's quilts on her Bernina. Paula has a DVD out called Fluff & Stuff where she teaches how to quilt with the smaller throat of the domestic machines. As far as embroidery, I have found that I do most of my work in the software on the computer and not on the machine itself. Yes, I can copy designs to a USB stick, but it's pretty easy to hook the sewing machine up to the computer instead. Anyway, I can't say enough good about my Berninas and all their features.
Sherry

[Sherry B.]

It sounds like you were looking at the aurora Anniversary Edition - 450. From what I have heard it is a good machine. It has a 9mm stitch width while some quilters prefer a 5.5 mm stitch width (the 430, 440, and 630 have these stitch widths). It must not be a problem with Ricky because he uses a 730 which has a 9mm stitch width.

I own 4 Berninas and have little experience with other brands. I went from a very basic Janome to a Virtuosa 153. I've always been very happy with Bernina. When I bought my 153 I bought it on a whim (it was an emotional purchase), but I've never regretted it! Come to find out that it is one of the world's best machines. It also pleases me that the family still owns it after all these years.

Never knew that the throat space was smaller but I've been told that it is only like 1/4 of an inch - which to me is very small and not worth fretting over.

Make sure that you feel comfortable with the dealer and her technicians. It appears she already has demonstrated her knowledge of the machines. I've heard of shops where the owner doesn't even know how to demonstrate certain features.

Good luck! I am so excited for you!

[Jo H.]

Wow... thank you so much for everyone's comments and suggestions. It does have the 9mm stitch width so I will have to ask whether that will be a problem since I really want the machine mostly for quilting. I did like the wide decorative stitches, but don't want them at the downfall of being able to have great quilting.

I've printed everyone's suggestions and will take them back in with me to aid in the decision-making.

[Jo H.]

I have the 450, it is a wonderful machine, sews like a dream, quilts like a dream too. It is a limited edition machine made to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Bernina.
I own 11 Berninas, ( I collect old ones). I will never sew on another machine, they are the best.

[Jo H.]

I also bought the 450 and it is so smooth and quiet. I love it. Like Roni, I've owned a few Berninas. Nine to be exact. My daughter in law has two of my older ones and I sold two in order to upgrade. I haven't ruled out another one if Bernina comes out with something. I have had other models. The quality of the Bernina is fantastic. Their feet in particular.
It's also important to have a great dealer and technician.

[Jo H.]

Ladyquilter,
You may want to test drive a 440 and compare it to the Anniversary model if you don't think you want to embroider. I have a 185 with a 9mm and a 440 with a 5mm, and it seems as though the smaller stich plate is more precise than the larger.

If you are thinking about purchasing now, consider that Bernina is running a super sale from the 31st of January to the 4th of February - good deals on financing and a lot of dealers have machine discounts as well.

Have fun - my Bernina's are the best thing I ever did for my quilting habit!

[Jo H.]

Ladyquilter,
You may want to test drive a 440 and compare it to the Anniversary model if you don't think you want to embroider. I have a 185 with a 9mm and a 440 with a 5mm, and it seems as though the smaller stich plate is more precise than the larger.

If you are thinking about purchasing now, consider that Bernina is running a super sale from the 31st of January to the 4th of February - good deals on financing and a lot of dealers have machine discounts as well.

Have fun - my Bernina's are the best thing I ever did for my quilting habit!

Thanks. The more I've researched, the more I think you are right. I am leaning toward the 5 mm. And, I am in awe of the foot called the jeans foot. I watched a video at the Bernina site and it went over the seam and didn't even have a hiccup. Wow... even my 1950 Pfaff all metal, don't try to lift me without assistance, machine won't do that! LOL

[Margo C.]

If you are expecting to be doing a lot of quilting I highly recommend purchasing a straight stitch throat plate. It has single hole for the needle to go through rather than the slot for zig-zag stitches. Because the thread always feeds straight down to the bobbin you will get better tension and no skipped stitches when you do free motion work!
Margo

[Sherry B.]

Margo, you took the words right out of my mouth I always use the straight stitch plate on my 730 (7mm machine) when I am piecing a quilt. It works great! And I love the wider 7mm decorative stitches, compared to the 5mm.