Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220

I owned a 220 for a couple of months and was less than pleased with it. The Electronics fried on it twice and needed to be replaced under warrenty. The size of the Harp, or opening is too small to do anything but small wall hanging quilts. If you try to push a full sized bed quilt through the opening you will have nothing but trouble. Assuming the machine you are getting is in good shape, it will be of greater use for your wifes quilting needs. It is a very good machine and is still used and loved by many avid quilters. The The 220 might be useful for taking to sewing class and piecing or clothing construction, but not for any serious quilting of large quilts. I traded the one I bought back to the dealer for a 1008 mechanical machine and was glad to get rid of it. I would stick with the one you got, and be happy that you didn't get the 220. I have another Bernina model that is computerized, and that one works fine. It was made in the Swiss factory, and the 220 was made in the Thailand Factory, that is opperated for Berina, and makes the lower end machines. The feet that come with the 220 are not the best feet either. They are cheap snap-on feet and not the single piece cast feet that Bernina is famous for. So for my money, I would give her the one you got and I think she will love it.

John

I cannot say anything about the 1530, as I am totally unfamiliar with it.

I purchased an Activa 240 around 2 1/2 years ago. It has been a reliable little machine, which I take to classes, do applique and machine piecing. I purchased the machine for the first two items -- the latter was a wonderful bonus. I am also learning how to free motion quilt on some small quilts. When I took my machine class for it, they told me it had a full size motor -- same one as in the larger machines.

However, for a long term investment, the machine is missing a few things.

• As some said, it has a smaller harp than other sewing machines. As I have RSI to my right wrist, it hurts too much for me to push large quilts around for machine quilting, so I don't ever plan to do anything larger than a lap quilt. Still, it would be easier to push even a small quilt around if there was more space in the harp area. If you have another machine on which quilting would be done, then this would not be an issue.

• It cannot use the BSR, but one can learn FMQ without it. I must confess I am having a particularly hard time learning FMQ, but that may just be because I'm not very coordinated :-). The 240 can use most of the other feet that the Aurora 430/440 and Artista 630/640/730 do. Of course it cannot use the wider 9mm ones.

• The machine only has two motor speeds; there are times at which I wish for more, but it is not something that would deter me from getting this machine again.

• It does not have a presser foot pressure adjustment, but I think that is also missing on the Auroras.

• It cannot do machine embroidery -- an option on the Auroras. While you may never become interested in doing that, it would be available if you ever change your mind about it.

Please note:

• The 220 has snap on feet. I think the solid regular feet contribute to more accurate sewing, so that is something you might want to consider. It is an additional cost to get the solid feet on the 220.

• The knee lift is an extra on the 220 -- it comes with the 240.

• The 240 has a brighter light -- optional on the 220.

Bev in TX

As far as I'm concerned a machine bought for a quilter needs a big harp area. I tend to stick with lap quilt size quilts and would still find problems manouvering on anything smaller. I've looked at Berninas when I've passed them in shops and always thought how small they are!

I was only on my second quilt when I got my Janome 6500 (superceded by

6600) and wouldn't change it for the world. True it was higher up the price range, but I'll never need to change it. Its a good solid workhorse with all the adjustments of tension, speed, needle position you could wish for, together with a lovely big harp space. Mine also came with the extension table to give a larger work area included, and lots and lots of feet. Buying extras for Berninas necessitates taking out an extra mortgage!

I think if you start with good tools a new hobby will be so much easier - nothing worse than trying to do a good job with tools not made to tackle what you're trying to achieve at any time - even worse for a beginner.

I don't know anything about the 1530 at all I'm afaid.

Sounds as though your wife is going to have fun doing the comparisons.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

That's true if the quilter is going to do the quilting on that machine. If all she is going to do is piece, the smaller machine may be okay. The larger harp area is not so important if all the quilts will be quilted by hand or sent out for quilting. And if she wants to take the machine to classes and retreats, the smaller machine may be perfect. I don't think I'd want to lug a Janome 6600 to a class or retreat.

Julia in MN

Thanks for all the good responses so far. I also liked the "heft" of the 1530 over the 210 and 230 they did have in the store. I hadn't thought about having to take it to classes and stuff though.

I didn't set them side-by-side, but the harp (I'm guessing this is the round space to the right of the needle, for rolling up stuff and scrunching it through the machine) didn't look any bigger on the 1530 than on the 210 (which should be identical, physically, to the sold- out 220).

Does the 1530 have a larger harp? Some responses seem to imply it does.

Also, Bev, I figured out RSI and FMQ but you lost me on BSR?

It sounds as if she needs to mainly decide on whether or not she likes the track-ball interface, and if she likes it the 1530 is the better of these two machines. Thanks also for not mentioning actual prices, I'll have her look here and maybe follow up. I'm already pushing the budget at this level, and can't really go any higher right now. We were hoping the Bernina would hold it's value, and if she really gets into the quilting she can trade up later. I guess that's another reason I like the used machine over the plastic 220.

Thanks again, and Merry Christmas

If she really wants to do a lot of machine quilting later The Janome

1600, Brother 1500, Juki TL-98 are all larger harp machines that are not expensive. They do a good job of MQ'ing and make a good addition for any quilter moving in that direction. She may want a Featherweight or Janome Jem too for classes. No shortage of machines she will want in the future if she gets really into quilting! I wonder about lugging a computer machine around. That just doesn't seem a great idea to me. Taria

Julia >

My Brother 1500 is great but it only does a straight stitch. If anyone wanted to applique with it they would only have a straight st. available...

Taria wrote: I wonder about lugging a

I take my Elna 6003 to retreats and classes. It's my main machine and really all I have to take. The 6003 is computerized, though not the fancy embroidery-type of computerization.

Julia in MN

My computerized machine is the only one portable enough to take to classes (hard to lug a treadle!) -- I've lugged it for years without problems. As long as you aren't dropping it or leaving it in the car in the summer, I don't see a problem.

well, you see there is possibly the problem. I haven't dropped too many machines but they have been known to dance around the back area of the car. The heat here isn't kind either. I guess they are tougher than I think they can be. My 301 is so handy for classes that don't require zz's. Janome Jems (is it a G or J) seem to be coming out of the woodwork down here in classes. Taria

Kathy Applebaum wrote:

The 301 is about perfect for that use. With the built-in handle, I don't think it weighs any more than a FW in a case, does it? Plus it's stronger and has more work space. Everyone should have one!!! But not three or four like I do.

I *prefer* to lug my Featherweight ;), but sometimes I need more than a simple straight stitch for something. I have taken my Bernina to many places -- including to Arizona for quilt camp or Quilting in the Desert. My solution to the weight thing is to have it in a Tutto bag -- that thing rolls so easily that it's a pleasure to have! :)

I was kind of teasing. The 301 is almost the same weight w/o the case as the FW with the case and easier to carry. It fits right behind the seat in the car. Most of my bigger machines don't fit so well there. I do have a carrier with rollers but I still don't think it is a great idea to schlep around a computer machines a whole lot. I am the one that has been drug to the computer sewing machine age kicking and screaming though. : )

Taria, down to 2 FW's and 2 301's here besides all the assorted other mach>>

So many quilters like the Janome 6500/6600 and have no problems with them. However, I had severe problems with two different Janome machines.

I had a MC 6500P, which developed problems right after the warranty ran out -- it would not even sew. They tried several times to fix it locally, but failed to do so, even with Janome's phone assistance. I ended up sending it in to Janome to be fixed. They sent it back with the original problem fixed, but a new problem, which again could not be fixed locally. Back it went again and they finally fixed it. I no longer have that machine. My LQS was nice enough to pay for one of the shipment costs, even though I was responsible for all of the work and shipping fees on this machine.

I purchased an MC 10001 just a few months after I got the 6500. I had severe, but sporadic, problems with the tension from the time it was new. They were sometimes able to duplicate the problem at my LQS, at which I purchased the machine. Again, they could not fix it locally after trying to do so several times. It was sent to Janome, and it came back in the same condition. After much more to-do and several more attempts to fix it locally, it was again sent back to Janome. That time they replaced the entire head -- no more severe tension issues! I still have this machine, but seldom use it.

I know that many quilters just love their Janome 6500/6600s, but I am now gun shy.

No doubt there are those who could tell of similar horror stories with Berninas, but I have had no problems with mine.

Bev in TX