Kimberly Johnson
Intermediate
IL USA
Member since 2003
Posts: 43 |
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Date: 10/6/08 4:25 PM There's a Bernina 150 QE on craigslist for 500. Walking foot included. I was considering a older 930, but at this price it has me wondering which is the better machine to buy. Please help!! Which would YOU buy.
Thanks,
Kimberly |
Joey in Katy
Intermediate
TX
Member since 2005
Posts: 322 |
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Subject: New Berninas vs. Old Berninas Date: 10/6/08 6:09 PM I've got both. I'd go with the 930. The 150 has a few (but not many) fancier stitches, but the 930 is proven quality. The 150 does have memory and a fairly simple alphabet stitch, plus a few different buttonholes. My 150's been in the shop 3 times trying to get the buttonholes to work consistently. I finally gave up doing buttonholes on the 150. ------
Joey
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30% sewing ...
70% damage control
http://www.using-sewing-machines.com
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sewfrequent
Intermediate
TX USA
Member since 2003
Posts: 2596 |
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Date: 10/6/08 6:49 PM The 150 doesn't seem to have the huge fan base that some of the other older and newer models have had. I'd go w/ the 930 too if it is in great shape and complete. |
namobrat
Member since 2008
Posts: 2 |
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Date: 10/7/08 9:54 PM Does anyone know why the Bernina 1230 is so popular? I have been watching eBay for a good used machine since my machine died, and this model is going for ALOT. There must be something to it. There have also been a few 830s and 930s that have been selling strong, too, but not quite so pricey. Any ideas? |
CarolynGM
 
AR USA
Member since 2003
Posts: 2810
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In reply to Kimberly Johnson
Date: 10/7/08 10:05 PM Kimberly -- I may be the only person on PR not totally in love with the Bernina 930. I sewed on one for 20 years, but I've been much happier with my newer Bernina -- the 165E.
The single biggest issue I had with the 930 was lack of adjustable presser foot pressure. The foot pedal also broke frequently. And then there was the problem with the motor armature. I don't hate mine-- it lives on at my daughter's house-- but I don't love it either.
So, if I were buying one of those two machines, I'd buy the newer model. ------
Carolyn
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sewgramma
Intermediate
WA USA
Member since 2007
Posts: 226 |
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In reply to namobrat
Date: 10/7/08 11:40 PM I have a 1230 & I love it mainly because of it's many features and ease of use. They're also relatively trouble free to own. When I say ease of use I mean all the stitch choices have a single button to push on the front of the machine that lights up in red. No messing around with nested menus or looking at a small LED screen! Everything is right in front of you without wondering what setting something is. Two dials adjust stitch width & length with clear markings that light up. Separate button for needle position & it lights up too. It's ALL METAL, sews quietly, smoothly, solidly, strongly & with zero vibration. It has a beautiful auto buttonhole, all the basic stitches including a nice long basting stitch, a few dozen deco stitches, adjustable foot pressure. Plus it comes with a slide-on table, knee lift, thread cutter, 11 feet including the buttonholer, lots of other accessories & oh, a hard storage case!
I've had my 1230 for about 17 years now & it's only been to service ONCE in all that time. I only took it in last year because I thought I should have it's innards fully cleaned & looked at. The dealer I took it to oohed & aahed over it, saying it was one of Bernina's best. I've also taken good care of it all this time with careful de-linting (I vacuum it out)& oiling.
My 1230 is genuinely a joy to sew on & it has all the most important features I need on a machine. To this day I use it for all my heirloom sewing & lots of other things too. Oh, I also have 2 other Berninas I love (almost) as well; an Artista 630E and an Activa 240.
I think word has gotten out about the 1230's so that's why they sell for so much on ebay. I bought mine for $1800 brand new & seeing that they now go for over a thousand makes me smile. |
MareeAlison
Beginner
AUSTRALIA
Member since 2005
Posts: 2583 |
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In reply to Kimberly Johnson
Date: 10/8/08 2:08 AM I have the 153QE - upgraded from a 30 year old Bernina. I just love my machine. It does so many things well, including buttonholes which I never used to do until now. Also while it only has a limited number of decorative stitches it does come with a disc so that you can change these to many many more, if the ones on the machine don't suit you.
The quality of the stitch is fantastic and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  ------
Maree - Sydney, Australia |
SheilaAnn
Intermediate
MD USA
Member since 2008
Posts: 393 |
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In reply to Kimberly Johnson
Date: 10/8/08 8:52 AM I have never heard of anyone not loving the 930. I have one that I'm hanging on to for my daughter. It is a true workhorse of a machine. I never had a minutes trouble with it, and my 17yr DD wants it, and would rather use it than my 440QE. The only reason I bought a newer model was for embroidery. I don't know anything about the 150, but I can highly recommend the 930! ------
Sheila
God's love is infinite! |
JanyceR
Advanced
CO USA
Member since 2007
Posts: 353 |
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In reply to Kimberly Johnson
Date: 10/8/08 9:01 AM Kimberly, I would probably buy the 150. I am the second person on PatternReview that does not think the 930 is the be all end all machine. To me, it was just ok and I bought an 1130 as soon as they came out. My daughter has owned the 930 I bought new in 1984 for the last 20 years and she would not give it up for anything. It is her go to machine. I, however, prefer the newer computerized Berninas. I still have a 1030, and would not give it up ever, but I prefer to sew on my 450. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but they are very different machines. ------
Bernina 730e * Bernina 530(5 series) * Bernina 1150MDA * Janome 1000CPX * White 363* Vintage Pffafs, Singers, Wheeler & Wilson |
Gmitt
Member since 2012
Posts: 5 |
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Date: 1/21/12 11:36 AM I'm having a similar dilemma. My current machine (not a bernina) has been acting up and i cant seem to fix it. So, in a moment of frustration I went and tested out a new bernina. It was wonderful, but of course more than I intended to spend on a machine.
My local store has a floor model 430 for $1900. It has a lot of bells and whistles that I may never use, but some features that I like. I could probably swing it but spending that much makes me feel a little guilty.
I saw today that another local store has a used 1130 for $650. Online reviews of this machine are very positive and part of me would really like to have a classic bernina. I haven't seen the machine in person as it is at their warehouse which is closed for the weekend. So I have the weekend to mull this over. If I buy this one I wonder if I will later want a machine with more modern features.
Is it worth spending that much more for a new one? Or is a classic machine a better investment? I mainly quilt and also do other home dec/ accessories. Stitch quality and reliability are my number one priority after my problems with my current machine. |
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