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Member since 5/9/09
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Posted on: 12/13/11 1:00 PM ET
The low end Berninas don't have adjustable presser foot pressure-- it's only available on the 430 and up.

Given that there's a huge difference in price between the 3 series and the 5 series, the value of this feature needs to be pinned down.

So, in order to avoid any sour grapes rationalizations, perhaps one should instead ask:

Quote:
If you have a aurora, or more advanced Bernina, how often do you sew with a pressure other than the default ("46"). With which fabrics?



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Bernina B330
Feet: 1,2,3,3A,4,5,7,8,10,13,16,18,20, 29,32,35,37,50,64,70,71,82,85,86, 92

  
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Posted on: 12/13/11 2:47 PM ET
In reply to andye
Rarely - but oddly enough, I just had to use it over the last week or two. I was sewing some pretty light knits and they just weren't working well. A tweak of the pressure foot presser (lightened it a couple numbers) and end of problems.
JEF
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Member since 3/2/11
Posts: 2923
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Posted on: 12/13/11 2:48 PM ET
I do not change my pressure foot adjustment and I have sewbn all kinds of fabrics. Maybe on a knit it would help to keep it from puckering at all? I would love to hear how and when other use it.
The only time where it would make a difference is maybe when sewing silk velvet. It is so hard to sew and maybe it would come in handy then? Otherwise, I dont remember using it on any of my machines.
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Bernina 790Plus, 635E, Juki 2010
Babylock Evolve Babylock Sashiko2
  
Member since 12/10/07
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Posted on: 12/13/11 3:17 PM ET
In reply to andye
I rarely change mine, although I need to when sewing two straight seams on my skirt fabric (one layer) to gather it. I am glad I have it in case there is a need to adjust it.
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⚜️ Diana ⚜️

Bernina 830E 💙 Babylock Enlighten 💙

✝️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✝️
  
Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 12/13/11 3:21 PM ET
Because I sewed on my 1130 for fourteen years before I got my 730E, I forget the 730E has adjustable presser foot pressure. (THAT is a mouthful... er... handful to type. LOL)

Even with the APFP, there are some garment fabrics that demand I use the walking foot.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 6/18/08
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Re: How often do you use your Berninas pressure foot adjustment (posted on 12/13/11 3:57 PM ET)
I sold my 930 because of the lack of this feature. I found that the feed dogs would mark certain fabrics — taffeta and acetate linings in particular. I was able to sew these successfully after adjusting the pressure on my old Kenmore. Also, it did not handle certain knits well, and sewing crosswise on tricot was a nightmare.

Bernina is not the only manufacturer who leaves this feature off their low-end machines. If all you are doing is sewing on woven, natural fabrics, you may not need this feature. At the time, I was sewing costumes, bridal and lingerie, and I absolutely found the ability to adjust the presser foot pressure crucial.

  
Member since 11/4/05
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Posted on: 12/13/11 4:09 PM ET
I was just thinking that I need to play with this. I was working on a heavy satin wedding gown and it kept slipping on me, and I'm sure increasing the pressure would help. Just need to learn how to use it.

Juliette
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Juliette near Austin, TX
Bernina 880 Plus
Bernina 590
Babylock Ovation
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Posted on: 12/13/11 5:02 PM ET
All the time!!! I'm forever adjusting it to suit what I am sewing, and I don't know how anyone sews knits or stretch woven fabrics without adjusting the presser foot pressure. Personally I wouldn't buy a machine without it and I'm dismayed that sewing machines would even be made without this feature. It's a must have feature for me. YMMV.
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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 2/5/06
Posts: 1374
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Posted on: 12/13/11 6:07 PM ET
In reply to andye
ALWAYS. It isn't that I adjust it so much... it's that I sew with it greatly reduced on nearly everything. Mine rarely goes over 30. (for the machines that show a number).
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Bernina 740, 700, and 430 -- Babylock BLCS, and Ovation -- APQS Millennium -- Vintage Singers 401a, 403, 404, 421g, 301, 15-90, 201-2
  
Member since 2/25/05
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Re: How often do you use your Berninas pressure foot adjustment (posted on 12/13/11 7:39 PM ET)
I have an Activa and don't miss that feature on that machine as it came perfectly adjusted. I had. Bernina 1090 for 15 years. It did not have it and did not need it. My 440 came with a default that was just plain too heavy so I reduced it. Now I rarely use it. I have an older TOL Bernina 185 that also has it and I have never had to use it. I do adjust the tension frequently. I would not let the lack of this feature be a factor. If it arrives and is too heavy or light then ask your dealer to adjust it for you. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Leslie

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Bernina Gal
  
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