What SewFine likes about this machine
I upgraded to the Bernina 750 QE with Embroidery from my previous machine, a Bernina 200E that had been updated to the equivalent of a 730E machine. The price I paid was for the 750 QE with the embroidery module included, and I was able to negotiate about $1K off the MSRP. My new 750 QE was a little intimidating at first -- probably due to the larger size and unfamiliar (to me) new body style, but I bonded with it pretty quickly once I sat down and started to sew.
This machine runs quiet and smooth, like a soft purr or a luxury automobile. The interface is streamlined and very intuitive, and much less distracting than the brightly-colored display on my previous machine. I really love that I can see where the selected stitch will form in relation to the presser foot I'm using, right on the screen -- so helpful when you want to embellish crazy patchwork and you want to precisely position decorative stitches along a seam line. I really have not had any problems with the machine. It's not at all a prima donna; it just does what it's supposed to do, beautifully, with no blood, sweat or tears. The bobbin is just massive and I love the new hook system. The additional lighting on this machine makes me feel like I've been sewing in darkness up until now. I'm excited about all that extra room to the right of the needle for quilting (along with the capacity to stitch out wider embroidery motifs in a single hooping). The integrated dual feed is not something I ever wished for in a sewing machine, but I have really been pleasantly surprised by what a positive difference the dual feed makes in pattern matching, blind hemming, sewing with Minky on the bottom, and attaching satin binding to the edge of a blanket. Also, at about 30 pounds, this machine is heavy, but I can lift it with one arm (unlike the Bernina 8 series machine, at 37 pounds, that I needed two arms to lift). This is a solid, well-made machine.
I LOVE the embroidery module on this machine, which my dealer says is the same embroidery module that the 830E uses. Larger, much more stable, and faster than the embroidery module of my previous 200/730E, you can definitely tell that this machine incorporates 10 years' worth of new technology. Again, the machine is embroidering beautifully just as it should with no adjustments or tweaks needed.
I also really love the interface on the 7 Series. The screen is much less cluttered than those on the 730E and 8 series machines, which I found distracting, and you can choose what color the screen background is. No annoying cricket noises with this machine, either, which my husband loathed about my old machine.
When I FMQ with this machine, I keep checking the bobbin, thinking it MUST be low by now, but it just holds an insane amount of thread. I stitched out a 70,000 stitch embroidery design on the Jumbo Hoop (optional accessory) and only had to change the bobbin once during that 4-hour stitch out. The BSR for FMQ is smoother and more responsive than the BSR on my previous 200/730. Also, going from the 200E/730 to the 750 QE, figuring out how to use the new machine was so intuitive that I didn't even need the mastery classes. I just watched the DVD that came with the magazine and read through the owner's manual from cover to cover. What SewFine does not like about this machine
Well, I bought it because it's big, but the XL size can also be a downside if, like me, it's your only machine. I'm currently considering a B 350 PE as a "Baby Sister" machine for classes and travel, so I can leave my 750 QE at home on her throne.
Also, as one of the newest owners of a brand-new model, it's annoying to have to wait for backordered accessories that I want to buy, such as an adapter for attaching my multiple spool holder, a spare bobbin case for bobbin work with heavy decorative threads, extra bobbins, and things like that. They say that patience is a virtue, but no one ever accused me of being virtuous... ;-)
One more thing: If you are upgrading from an older Bernina embroidery machine, you may have a collection of those proprietary Bernina embroidery cards that plugged into the PCMCIA slot on the side of the 730, 200, and similar models. The 7 Series machines do NOT have a slot for those cards, and the only way I know of that you could use them with a new 7 Series machine would be to use one of those Magic Box contraptions to save the designs to your computer or flash drive. |
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Thanks for the nice review! I have been eyeing this machine forever! Please come back to update after you've sewn more projects. I am interested in hearing more about the dual feed. She is a big girl isn't she!
2/10/13 8:21 PM
Thanks for a review of this machine. Happy sewing!
2/10/13 10:45 PM
Nice plan to get a little backup machine. Great review.
2/10/13 11:15 PM
Yes, these are lovely machines but like you I plan to keep mine at home. I have a travel Bernina that is compact and easier to transport- for when I want to sew out of the house. I'm going to add the embroidery unit to my 750QE soon, I can't wait!
2/10/13 11:40 PM
Thanks for your timely and helpful review. I love the part where you say it's not a prima donna, since I'm considering buying this machine. I shopped this past weekend. About the dual feed- it's impressive. At the dealer, I sewed about a 20" seam in flimsy plaid flannel for a perfect match. We used only 1 pin to line up at the start and then let it go. Have you tried the buttonholes?
2/11/13 1:25 AM
Nice review on what appears to be an amazing machine. If I ever decided to buy an additional machine this would be the one I'd want.
2/11/13 9:54 AM
Thank you for your review. I, too, am loving the 7s. I think you summed up the machine very well. Have fun sewing!
2/11/13 10:42 AM
Thanks for the review! Hope you have many happy years ahead!
2/11/13 8:31 PM
very nice review, am dreaming about this machine or the 780 and appreciate your opinion thanks.
2/12/13 9:57 AM
I have used one of these machines and found it great - so nice to use until I went to change bobbins and it would not come out of the case. Evidently a known fault. I'll be buying one as soon as this problem is sorted.
2/19/13 9:25 PM
I've had my 750QE now for a few months and was so happy with it that I wanted to buy the embroidery module to it. I went to my local dealer and we tested it. I had brought my own test design and it worked perfectly, however it was in one color and we had to put the top tension to 0.5 We then decided to test one of the motifs on the machine, and after switching colours, it made a funny rattling noise and broke of the top thread. Every time again, so that we couldn't proceed anymore. The shop owner decided to test the machine in the shop, and it had the same problem! I have written to Bernina, but I would like to know from you if I have missed something or if we have to adjust something. I perused the manual but can't seem to find anything.
4/5/13 5:30 AM
Jasmine, that sounds weird; even on the 7 Series yahoo group I haven't heard anyone with that problem. I don't need to change my top tension at allfor embroidery. It sounds like something is up with the auto thread cutter. Have you been cleaning the lint and stray threads out? Also, there has been one firmware update and several service packs released. Have they been installed on your machine, and did your tech do the manual tension and balance checks after installing them? I'm sure this is something a good tech can solve. Let me know what happens, and good luck!
4/6/13 10:25 AM
Here's my update: the problem still isn't solved. Very strange. Bernina sent another machine to the shop to try out, and the same problem. It seems like there's something wrong with the thread cutter. it cuts the thread again, after the threads were changed. According to my dealer, I'm not the only one with the problem, and he doesn't want to sell me the module, as long as it doesn't work properly... He thinks it's a fault in the software. I do have the last version on the machine. The Bernina tech in the Netherlands can't find out either what's wrong...
5/22/13 5:27 AM
new update : I talked to the Bernina tech guy myself. He says the problem is in the settings of the embroidery and that he had explained it to the shop. I contacted the shop again, and they claim that the problem isn't solved by changing the settings. Can you see for me which firmware you've got? I have V32.43.10 SP01. thanks in advance.
5/23/13 4:41 AM