reliability of Berninas

Martha, I feel your pain! I have a 153QE that I think is about 6-7 years old. It has been in the shop more than my old 1090 ever was, and now the tension is screwed up again and free-motion quilting is a crapshoot. I am heading to a dealer tomorrow that carries Bernina and Janome, hoping to trade it in on one or the other.

I have a theory - my 153 was what you would call a "middle of the road" machine (for a Bernina). I think it was about $1800 new. I think that they cram all of the features (stitches, etc) that they can on a machine, and that the quality suffers. I do not think the straight stitch on this machine was EVER all that perfect, and the decorative stitches were unreliable - ten would look perfect, and then the 11th would have bobbin thread showing through. It was frustrating, and the dealer would take it, work on it, show me a line of 50 decorative stitches they made which were perfect, and then a month later it was out of whack again.

I bought the Bernina because I use my machine a LOT. This year, I have finished 3 baby quilts and 4 twins and am working on a queen.

I am considering a Bernina 430 or 440 or a Janome 6600P, but am now wary of the Bernina (I know, heresy!). I have a friend who has the Janome and loves it.

I've studied Martha's question and Tina's response - wish I had some absolutes to contribute but I do not. It surprises me that Martha's Bernina is such a dud but I reckon every SM maker produces one now and then. I love Bernina; don't want (won't even look at) anything else but of course, that's just me. There are 5 Berninas here and the only problem I've ever had was a burr on a throat plate. Well. There is the old 1230 that's worn out but she went many miles before she got crazy. Martha, perhaps you'd do better with a machine that's sturdier. There are some older Singers and Vikings that can take on 'six quilts to quilt' and never slow down or complain. Polly

I think one conclusion I have drawn from reading comments here and on PatternReview.com, is that Berninas can be finicky about thread. If you are the type that likes to experiment with different top and bobbin threads, the Bernina tends to develop tension problems.

I use bobbin thread for all piecing and a lot of quilting, but also like to switch and try Wonder-Fil in the bobbin or even 40-wt Sulky Rayon, if I want the stitching on the back to "shine". The Bernina really hates this - I have to adjust and readjust tension, and then sometimes in the middle of a session it will just "throw a rod" and start doing crazy things.

I think I am going to try a machine which is a little less picky.

Like Polly, only Berninas for me. Three Berninas here (a 180, 200, 230) and so far (knock on wood) no problems with them.

I have had experience with only one Bernina. My mother bought a Bernina in 1967. I don't remember the model number, but it was a very basic machine -- plain zig-zig & straight stitch flat-bed machine. I had a top-of-the-line Elna purchased about a year earlier. I hated her machine. It was very picky about using the same thread on top and in bobbin. It was in the shop way more than my Elna ever was, and I did more sewing than she did. I realize that you shouldn't judge a brand by one sample, but it really turned me off on Bernina. Now I probably would not consider Bernina simply because of the price.

Julia > My three year old Bernina 145 is in the shop AGAIN.

So sorry that you are having so much trouble with your Bernina 145. I have a 160, older than yours, and the only thing that I have had trouble with is timing, I was rushing and crashed the needle into the sole plate (pulling on fabric) it was totally my fault. My neighbor has a 130 and she makes at least one quilt top/week, service guy says that she is going to wear it out. Our guild makes charity quilts for kids, 42"x60" is the most common size. Also do comfort quilts for the Cancer center, they give them to the chemo patients to keep. Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

I have an 'old' Bernina. I purchased the 1090 a decade or so ago, and it was used when I got it.

It has been in the shop only for cleaning and adjustments, and only when I feel guilty enough.

For a good portion of the time it has been stored. But for the last few months I have kept it in the living room, and have sewed an hour or two daily. I am not having problems. I *did* just order a replacement light bulb, and an extra bobbin case (because I read that using different threads in the bobbin might require 'adjustments' to the bobbin tension, and that having an extra case means you don't have to fool with the tension for your 'regular' threads).

It sounds as if you have a 'lemon'. If you purchased it from the shop down the road where you are having it 'repaired' maybe you should bring up the reliability issue with them. Perhaps they can get Bernina to REPLACE the never-has-worked-properly machine.

Lisa in NJ

Me too.....knock knock...1130, 180 and a serger.....and a Singer 401A

Actually, Julia, I think it is perfectly OK to be 'against' a particular make of *anything*! Some things just don't seem to fit with us. I think the most obvious example is with cars; but, honestly, I think it can apply to anything. I've always had a very narrow range of cars I would consider; and, later, sewing machines. I have tried not to be swayed too much by reputation or price. I have my strict list of what I need, followed by what I would like, and I stick to it. Salesmen may think they will influence me; but I will have done so much research before even stepping into their showroom, that they don't have a chance. . In message , Julia in MN writes

Martha, I don't blame you for your frustration; I'd be pretty frustrated, too. I have a Bernina 630, and it has only been in the shop once for anything other than routine maintenance. Before that, I had a

1260 that never had to go to the "hospital" at all except for the routine maintenance. I have friends with Berninas, and their experience is much the same as mine, so I suspect that you ended up with something that isn't the norm. :(

Hi Martha, I do not think you should feel bad about the Bernina. Remember that overall Bernina has proved themselves. Yes, maybe you got a "Friday" machine, and maybe you should negotiate with your dealer for a trade up, or something, cause overall nothing sews like a Bernina, Nothing. I use to be a Husqvarna/Phaff "deciple" but I do not regret my change to Bernina, and never ever will I sew on something else but a Bernina. I truly hope you can settle your machine with your store. Iknow it is worse than horrible to be without our best friends. Maybe your machine gives you time to do other things, as nothing is worse for a sewer to be without a machine. Good luck girl, one of these days you can sew a storm again - and you will love it. Consider the Aurora 440 Quilters edition: what a beaut!!!!!!!!!!!! Kind regards Jacqui from snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com

I can add to this- my Janome 6600 has NEVER been unhappy with ANY thread I've used. I never adjust any tension except for the top about 1/4 number lower for invisible thread. I always use the appropriate needle. I used

40, 50, 30 and even 12 wt. cotton threads, all weights of rayon, and poly/cotton, and invisible thread with no troubles. I've used all the cottons except for the 12 wt. in the bobbin with various weights on top. I even use a fine poly (Bottom Line) in the bobbin with any and all of the above. And I use Bottom Line on top, too. Still no problems. I'd love this machine for that reason alone! (I've never used a heavy thread in the bobbin for bobbin work, but have complete confidence this wonderful machine would handle that just as well.)

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I've never had any problems with threads in my Bernina's either...I've used all those same threads that Leslie has....except for the 12 wt. I've also used the decorative threads in the bobbin for bobbin work. I do have to adjust for different ones, but that's why they have the ability to change the dials. I even like to change my bobbin tension at times if the need warrants. I learned to do that from Libby Lehman and others. I think the trick is to learn about whatever machine you own, and then work with it. I have a friend who only uses one kind of thread for her Bernina 1130 because that's what she was told to use and she took it to be "God's Truth". My

1130 would use anything! None of my machines like linty thread, which I suspect is pretty much across the board for most machines. I will also agree that there are some lemons out there.....in all brands.

Thanks everyone - I used to have a 1090, before the 153, and it was really a better machine. I think that the newer Berninas (past the

1090/1130/1230/15??/16??) are just picky about thread and will go out of whack with tension if you get too jiggy with it.

Leslie, I really think I am going for the 6600 tomorrow - I called the local (well, it's only 60 miles) shop, and the owner was terrific on the phone, but she didn't want my 153 as a trade.

She suggested I keep it for a while, and then if I don't use it, sell it.

I got conned into buying an Bernina Activa 210 and it was nothing be problems. I had to replace 2 motherboards, under warranty, and finally gave it back to the dealer and traded it for a 1008 Mechanical. That is the machine I wanted when I first went in there but was talked into the 210. The 210 almost soured me on Bernina's , bur i am glad i got the 1008. The 1008 is totally trouble free, as it doesn't have any of those pesky "Improvements", such as computerized anything. I prefer a machine that is simple and straight forward, without a lot of bells and whistles. I have a 430 Aurora with every accessory available and it sits in a cabinet and hardly ever gets used. I should sell it and forget about computerized machines for good. You might think about doing the same thing. Maybe your style of sewing is more geared toward the mechanical machine. Some people like and use them exclusively. I am heading that way.

John

Howdy!

Ouch! Sorry to hear about your sm problems, Martha.

Luck, I think. Love my little Janome. Thank goodness it sews "nothing" like your Bernina. ;-D

As Patti says, sometimes it just seems we get luckier w/ certain brands than w/ others (there are 2 American automobile makers whose cars I won't even rent, much less consider owning); sometimes you get a "lemon" or a "Monday morning/Friday afternoon" model, sometimes the stars are aligned against you. I really believe in the Twilight Zone Theory, myself.

Good luck w/ the repairs, and w/ the replacement. Meanwhile, surely some good quilty friends would take those quilt tops off your hands and you won't have to look at them and feel the time pressing upon you. You have free time: go machine testing!

Cheers!

R/Sandy - PT QLTR ;->

Same with all three of my Elnas, though I have to admit that I haven't used quite the variety that you have. :) I have done bobbin work, though with some gorgeous metallic copper stuff that was too heavy to go through the needle. It worked wonderfully well. This is the quilt Unfortunately, the photo doesn't show the quilting. I had an autumn-leaves print on the back and did free motion quilting around the leaves.

Julia > I can add to this- my Janome 6600 has NEVER been unhappy with ANY thread

I wonder if you have a lemon. I've had two Berninas and neither had/has any repairs. When I went to my first class, the instructor taught us how to take them apart, clean and oil. She said she'd done that for over 20 years and her machine had never broken down.

It might be worth asking this question.

Hoe you get it all worked out!

Lenore