Bernina owners

Lord have Mercy, Bonnie. I went over to ebay to see what the Aurora and Artista were and nearly needed to get out the smelling salts when I saw the prices. If you would enjoy the embroidery capabilities of those, I'm sure they're wonderful. But - you say "I mainly sew quilts". There are 3 Berninas here in my sewing room and they are fine SMs but do not have the embroidery units. Before you adopt a Bernina, do take a good look at the Bernina 153 or

155. The 1230 is also a honey but it would be hard to find one without high mileage. IMHO, nothing sews like a Bernina. Polly

I just got off the phone with the Bernina dealer. He's got a sale going on and I can get the Aurora QE for almost half price. I'm on my way. I will look at the models you mentioned, but I don't know if I can resist the sale ;-).

I wish I'd seen this post earlier, Bonnie! But I hope you like the

440 that you're on your way to buy. I loved mine so much that I traded it in for the even nicer 630. I don't do embroidery, so that wasn't a consideration. As for the 200, I think that's an "older" model now -- not that that's a bad thing, of course. Still, if you feel like looking at the 200, I'd suggest looking at the 730, too, since it's the updated version of the 200 and comes with the BSR. Good luck!

If you have the money, buy Aurora. It has the stitch regulator foot, BSR, it's great! I switched my dream, now I rather spend my money on Janome 6600 (or 6500 or whatever there is available, when I have the money), since it's cheaper, but comes with better things in it. Knee lifter, working scissor-system (it really doesn't undo the yarn from needle), great quiltingfoot and much cheaper accessories than Bernina has.

Johanna

I paid some extra to get the 6600 over the 6500. I cannot remember what the main difference was, but I considered it to be a biggie and well worth the small price difference. I sure wish my brain was willing to work when I needed it instead of in the middle of the night when I'd rather be sleeping. LOL

Leslie & The Furbabies..... Sleepless in MO.

Bonnie,

If you don't do embroidery look at the 440 or the Janome 6600. I bought the Bernina 200e and it mainly just sits there. My mistake. I really thought I would use it more than I do. I truly love Berninas and do believe Nothing sews like a Bernina however..............I would sell my 200e in a heart beat. I have heard a lot of good things about the 6600.

JMHO,

Marsha in Ohio

Howdy! Polly said, " IMHO, nothing sews like a Bernina."

I certainly don't.

One of our long-ago, Teresa, RCTQers owns a Bernina shop; I ask her questions about the machines and she's always kind enough to reply:

Good luck! Happy Hunting! And please tell us what you get!

R/Sandy

Same for me, Taria, but with Husqvarna. I have used them for years, but saw the large harp of the Janome 6500. I contacted Husqvarna and asked them if they had any plans to bring out a large harp version. Answer 'no'. So, I went ahead and switched brands. I do love the 6500, and wouldn't change it, but I would have stuck with the Husqvarna, if ... Then, what did I see at the Malvern show last month? A Husqvarna machine with a large harp area! So, maybe Bernina will have to before long. . In message , Taria writes

I have the 930 and Brother 1500 as well....and wanting the 6600 !!! Also have the Pfaff 7550 which has been great...but my 930 is in a cabinet and sits flush w/ the surface which makes sewing so much more pleasurable. I started using it more in the past year and the 930 machine really is a dream to sew on ! I, too, wish the companies would get all our needs met in one machine ..!!..I'd be first in line to buy it . Mary in VT

"Taria" > I bought my 930 over 20 years ago. It still is a dream to sew on and

Oh, I have to say something about presser feet!

I have been off in computer hell for about six months and have missed a lot of conversation here in the group. E-mail address has changed 2,

3, 4 times have settled on blpatterson10atcomcastdotnet change the obvious.

Now presser feet, number 57, it is wonderful. It is the 37 foot with a guide attached at the side to make the perfect 1/4 inch seam.

A guild member was teaching us all how to make pillow cases (quick and dirty way) and she was using a Jenome Gem with a similar foot and her seams were so perfect that we had to check it out. She has a sight problem and is a great quilter, she said that this foot makes her quilting easier.

I did three charity quilt tops in one day after I got my 57 foot, it's the greatest. Of course you guys probibly talked about it months ago, I don't know how long it has been avaiable.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Well, the 6600 is close to having all our needs met. My only complaint is the lighting- and there are two light bulbs, but one is behind the auto threader and throws a shadow of the lever right at the needle area. Sheesh! Can't get to the machine to see where the other bulb is, but I know it's not terribly effective, either. But then Janome seems to be 'known' for poor lighting. I have a goosenecked clamp on lamp that I can move around to illuminate what I need to see, but it produces too much heat and I often bonk my head on it. Janome is getting closer and closer to the perfect machine! IMNSHO

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Howdy!

My Janome's 1/4" foot saves my sanity at least once every session. well, as much sanity as there is to save... I love my Janome Décor Excel: it does what I want it to do.

Some of my favorite people own Berninas. ;-)

Congrats, again, Bonnie!

R/Sandy -- in The Quilt Show isn't this foot, #57, the one Alex gives Ricky for his birthday but she wants it back?

Taria, I agree with you! If Bernina had told me they'd be coming out with a machine with a larger harp soon, I might have waited to buy my

630. However, I did buy it, I do love it, and I'll just make do. I don't make that many larger quilts, anyway -- though the one I just finished quilting seemed to sprout arms and legs to fight staying on my comparatively small table. LOL! I won the fight though. ;) Now I hear that there will be a new Bernina with a larger harp in the not-too-distant future, but I can't justify buying a second Bernina so soon after this one. Good thing I love it anyway, huh?

Not to worry, Sandy. There were many years that my Bernina 1230 held its price and I could have sold it for what I had paid for it; still probably could. It would be a dirty trick to sell it though; that fine old SM has a million miles on her and she's gotten a little bit moody; changes stitches if she takes a notion. I'm betting that if Bernina does come out with a wider harp that you can trade in or sell your 630 without taking a loss. If, of course, you're willing to part with it. Polly

"Sandy" Taria, I agree with you! If Bernina had told me they'd be coming out

And therein lies the problem, Polly. I'm not sure I'm willing to part with it! After all, I really don't make that many large quilts....

obvious)

I have a 440QE; and I'm happy with it. I do only quilting, and I know I would never have gotten anywhere learning machine quilting w/o that BSR.

But, what's a 630 and what makes it "better"? I don't know about that one.

susan kraterfield see my quilts: members.cox.net/kratersge

I was curious too about the 630 so I searched just a little. Found a neat description over at

The 630 has some awesome abilities that are not for the timid. That rascal has 3 thread cutters. Approach with caution. Polly

"kratersge" I have a 440QE; and I'm happy with it. I do only quilting, and I know