Learn To Sew
 
Advanced Beginner
WA USA
Member since 2005
Posts: 5247 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/11/12 6:42 PM I am planning to buy a Bernina very soon. I pretty much know what I want. I have a choice between a new 440qe and a 450. The 440 has the narrow 5.5mm feed dogs and the 450 has the wider 9mm feed dogs. Finding a 440 is not easy. Last one available. It might be sold before I can buy it, so that would make the decision much easier. Either way, it is the 400 series for me. I just like them.
I will be garment sewing and quilting this year. Next year I want to learn to embroider. It just looks like fun. I will not be buying the module this year, though.
What is best for what I want to do now and in the future?
I decided I do not like the new 500 series as much. It just does not talk to me like the 400 series does.
Learn ------
I enjoy quilting as it calms my mind
Bernina 630 / no embroidery module
Pfaff 2036
Babylock Molly
Bernina 1200DA serger |
threaddy
Advanced
WY USA
Member since 2009
Posts: 1199 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Learn To Sew
Date: 1/11/12 6:50 PM There have been tons of discussions on this topic. I think everyone on PR has voiced on this topic. Maybe someone could link all the many discussions for your review. It is an excellent question...but because it is such a good question PR members have talked and talked and talked about it. Personally I would get the 450 no questions! Go to the discussions on the 580 too. ------
formerly kirstensews
"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch |
Learn To Sew
Advanced Beginner
WA USA
Member since 2005
Posts: 5247 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to threaddy
Date: 1/11/12 6:59 PM I did some research for the threads and I guess I will have to try again.
Why the 450 over the 440?
------
I enjoy quilting as it calms my mind
Bernina 630 / no embroidery module
Pfaff 2036
Babylock Molly
Bernina 1200DA serger |
CJ Tinkle
Intermediate
AR USA
Member since 2006
Posts: 788 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/11/12 7:01 PM For quilting and garment sewing, I'd recommend the 5.5mm. For embroidery, neither machine. They require EC on PC which is long in the tooth and problematic as it is. You may find software support/compatibility for it for a few more years if you're lucky. For an all purpose machine, I love 9mm feed dogs and a thread cutter, but I won't piece on one. ------
Bernina 830 ✂ Bernina 630 ✂ Bernina 1300MDC ✂ Babylock BLCS ✂ APQS Millennium ✂ Juki TL2010Q ✂ Singer 201-2 ✂ Singer 301 ✂ Singer 401A ✂ Singer 15-91 ✂ Singer Featherweight 222K
www.createdbycj.com |
threaddy
Advanced
WY USA
Member since 2009
Posts: 1199 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Learn To Sew
Date: 1/11/12 7:39 PM The 450 is 9mm. If you do piecing, that has been discussed...but for garment sewing the 9mm offers the ability to move the needle more...I use that feature all the time. CJ is right. The computer interfacing to the 450 seems to be a bit cumbersome ...as I have heard from a lot of people. The 580 might be easier. You really need to look into this more. Again there have been tons of discussions on this as well. ------
formerly kirstensews
"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch |
threaddy
Advanced
WY USA
Member since 2009
Posts: 1199 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Learn To Sew
Date: 1/11/12 7:44 PM You are a member so you can search with all kinds of wordings...like" Bernina 450"...".Bernina 580e"..."width"..."feed dogs"...search under boards and then under messages. You could even just put in "Bernina"...and review all the topics. Lots of times the topic heading might say one thing and then we go off on a tangent and what you ae looking for is discussed. Since this has a huge history of discussion you will find a ton of info. ------
formerly kirstensews
"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch |
Learn To Sew
Advanced Beginner
WA USA
Member since 2005
Posts: 5247 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to threaddy
Date: 1/11/12 8:13 PM The 580 is $7500. Budget is $3000. Mabye a little more, but not much. I want a Bernina for the overcastiing ability it will give me. I would like to learn to embroidery.
I know the machine is going to be discontinued. The interface does not bother me. It should be good for many years. I can't afford the 630, as it is $3800. Too far over budget. I did look at them today, but only looked. I am not ready to buy anythng yet.
If my budget was $3800, I'd probably go with the 630 instead. But it is not at this point. I had a hard time talking DH into the $3k budget.
I am talking to dealers as far away as 50 miles from home. The dealer I went to today was 14 miles. I like them and that the manager was one of those "super sales men" who can talk people into things. I did not spend any money there. I want to go to other stores again and talk to them. The dealer I went to today has a 20 labor policy on Berninas. I can't beat that.
------
I enjoy quilting as it calms my mind
Bernina 630 / no embroidery module
Pfaff 2036
Babylock Molly
Bernina 1200DA serger |
SewBusy63
Advanced
IA USA
Member since 2007
Posts: 1508 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Learn To Sew
Date: 1/11/12 8:59 PM We all have our personal preferences. I am mainly a garment sewer and have started to learn quilting. I do not have any problems using a 9mm for either. I know you really liked the 450, so I would take your own fabrics and test both machines to see which you prefer. ------
~Diana~
♥ Bernina 830E ♥ Bernina 1150MDA serger
✝The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1✝
|
Learn To Sew
Advanced Beginner
WA USA
Member since 2005
Posts: 5247 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to SewBusy63
Date: 1/11/12 9:16 PM The 450 was on a a table. The 440 was on an upper shelf and I never asked for it to come down. I am still deciding what I might like. I told DH about them and he does not want me to go with the 440 or the 450, as it will soon be discontinued. He wants me to get the newer technology. That is more money, I told him.
The 635 is $3800. No BSR, no embroidery.
The 580 is $7400.
I will want the BSR soon. No hurry about the emb. module.
I took plenty of fabric with me, but never did any sewiing. My mission today was to check out the dealer. This guy could sell snow to eskimo's. I find it a bit scarry. Their policy of 20 years labor on Berninas is very tempting.
Learn ------
I enjoy quilting as it calms my mind
Bernina 630 / no embroidery module
Pfaff 2036
Babylock Molly
Bernina 1200DA serger |
Maia B
Advanced Beginner
IL USA
Member since 2010
Posts: 1855 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/11/12 9:21 PM For me, the advantages of 9mm machines are wide deco stitches, auto cut (the 450 doesn't have it), and maybe more buttonhole options. I find that the 5.5mm machines make precision piecing, narrow hems, and tiny work (2" backpacks for mini sock monkeys) SO much easier. I've tried every combo of foot, stitch plate, and needle position, and narrow seams on my 820 always try to go wonky. It takes more effort, attention, and guidance to get precise 1/4" seams. It's possible on the 820, just harder. Sometimes it's worth it for the dual feed and cutter, but when I need perfection in piecing, it's so much easier on the 5.5mm machines (or 4mm vintage Berninas or a straight stitcher). For months, I said that wished the 820 could be a 5.5mm machine. But for quilting, the thread cutter is valuable, and the buttonholes and wide decorative stitches are worth it, too. I prefer piecing on my 440, 630, 240. Others have the opposite opinion, so the only answer is to test drive and see what YOU prefer. I know I'd go for a 440 over a 450, if it was to be my only machine. Frankly, I "need" both. Sorry to ramble, I was trying to get everyone in bed. ------
Berninas 820 QE, Artista 630 PQE, Aurora 440 QE, Activa 240, 930 Record, and 731 Baby Lock Quest Plus, Featherweight 221s... |
|Login|Help]
Printable Version
