| Bernina:930 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 1412 time(s) |
17 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 4 people Very Helpful by 7 people | | Reviewed by: | scottiechick | 
 | | About scottiechick | | WA USA | | Member since: 8/22/09 | | Reviews written: 3 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | sewing machines reviewed: 3 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 3/1/13 8:31 PM | | Approx price paid: | $500 | | Had this machine for: | 4 years (now sold) | | Recommended? | Maybe | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com |  | Features
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
- Embroidery Machine
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Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What scottiechick likes about this machine
I love the fit and finish of the 930. Everything is so solid and well built, and it really shows.
The machine is intuitive and easy to use, and can support a sewer for a long time, granted that they're likely sewing with mostly woven materials.
This machine does a great job on every woven fabric I've thrown at it!
It also holds it value relatively well.
I would recommend this machine for quilters, and folks who are going to focus on woven materials, and don't mind the lack of presser foot pressure. Even though it's a great machine, it's not as versatile as I thought it would be. What scottiechick does not like about this machine
Lack of adjustable presser foot pressure! *This machine does not have adjustable presser foot pressure, unlike the what the features list mentions above and wouldn't let me edit out* That's why I ultimately sold the machine. I'm a garment sewer, and mostly sew knits, and the lack of adjustable presser foot pressure was just a deal killer for me. Even with a walking foot and adjusting everything under the sun, I couldn't get a result I was happy with.
The power board (circuit board that controls the needle up/down and the 1/2 power feature) is another huge weakness of this machine. I actually went through the expense of replacing mine, as I thought I'd be keeping the machine, and I found a Bernina certified tech on a nearby island who could do it for $350. (My local Seattle Bernina dealer quoted me $800-900 for the board and labor ALONE, not including the tune-up, etc.) Yikes. So if you're looking to purchase this machine, and the board hasn't been replaced, I would find out in advance the price from your local dealer for replacement (if they can even source the circuit board). If the board goes out, the machine will only sew about 90 stitches per minute, max, so it pretty much renders it unusable.
I wanted to bond with this machine, I really did. I kept if for 4 years before finally selling, thinking that I'd pull it out to use it and just love it one day. But that day never came.
I had it tuned and cleaned every year, and took excellent care of it, but I avoided using it because knew it would be a fight to get an acceptable result. I'm not saying that other folks can't get great results, but the particulars of how my machine broke in over time and the lack of pressure adjustment just didn't jive with the type of sewing I do.
I actually held off on selling it, until I found a new quilter who wanted it that could test it in person. I wanted to make sure that the person who bought it would have the greatest chance of happiness and would use it in a capacity in which it excelled. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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I had one also and sold it for the exact same reason you did. I was not aware when I bought it that the pressure foot was not adjustable. I really did not enjoy sewing on the machine. I know people rave about the machine but it was a big disappointment to me. I have since bought a Bernina Artista 200E an I love the machine.
3/2/13 2:14 AM
I hope PR can correct the information tied to this machine. Thanks for posting about the lack of pressure adjustment. That is a serious feature for many of us.
3/2/13 6:33 AM
I have the 930 with the heel tap. If I set the machine on Red Stitch #4 with a stitch width of zero and presser foot 560, I get a beautiful straight stitch on knits without any need for presser foot adjustments. For more stretch and the tricot stitch then I just widen it. As the manual says, the right needle is crucial. I assume your tech checked the feed dogs. I'm sorry yours didn't perform to your standards, but I'm glad you took the time to add this review to the list to provide a different viewpoint.
3/2/13 12:22 PM
I sold mine too, for the same reason. The feed left marks on taffeta, and it just didn't handle knits well. The lack of presser foot pressure adjustment is a fatal flaw in what is probably one of the best-designed zig zag mechanicals ever made. The straight stitch was just ok, but the satin stitches were absolutely gorgeous. I felt a little peeved because my Kenmore from the 70s was actually a much better and far more versatile machine. I spent $1,200 on the Bernina, and while it felt good to sew on it, it was just not the workhorse I was expecting for that amount of money. I would still recommend it for quilters and crafters. It is not a good machine for garment sewists.
3/2/13 2:46 PM
Thank you for this. Now I know I would not like this machine, either. I thought it was just the new mechanical Berninas that lacked adjustable foot pressure.
3/2/13 5:07 PM
Thanks for your thoughtful review. While the presser foot pressure isn't easily adjusted by the user, a tech can adjust it if it's too heavy overall. There are plenty of serious garment sewists who sew a broad variety of fabrics on the 930 with great success, to their satisfaction. I bought my 930 used, so I've no way of knowing what adjustments were made on it since 1983, but I've no trouble with it.
3/2/13 6:42 PM
I agree with Maia about the option to have a tech adjust the 930 if needed. I bought one new in 1984, and its been a great garment machine. It never needed any adjustment and isn't really any different than my 630 or 240 in ease of use or stitch quality. But I do still like how it sounds best of all. It just sounds so sweet! Perhaps this is just another case of individual machine variability. Thanks for sharing your experience.
3/4/13 11:44 AM
I own the 932 and I must say that although the pressure foot is not adjustable the replacement of the feed dogs can help enormously with feeding. When I bought mine the dealer was kind enough to tell me that over the years feed dogs wear down like anything else and need to be replaced. He told me what to look for and as soon as I saw it - last week, I knew it was time for a trip to the shop. I adore my Nina, she is quiet, sturdy and my favorite machine for piecing despite the fact that I own a TOL Pfaff. I am sorry this one did not work out for you.
3/4/13 10:43 PM