Does anyone else hate their Bernina?
#31
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For the price of the Bernina every feature should work. Same with any high end machine. Why I won't buy a new out of the box high end machine is not one dealer will refund if the machine is lousy. They will fix it until it's fixed to death and you have paid for a repaired machine. I've seen it happen to many times for me to buy one. If I wanted one I'd buy a trade in that had already been fixed to death.
#32
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#33
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Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to respond, Your in-depth responses over a wide range of issues has served to confirm what I had suspected. There are so many good points to these machines, but there are a large number of issues that have been with these machines for years that Bernina is failing to address on a timely basis, if ever.
I wish Bernina would focus more on the actual sewing quality and reliability of their machines, and less on producing even more costly and unreliable “new” models, with even more bells and whistles.
I wish Bernina would focus more on the actual sewing quality and reliability of their machines, and less on producing even more costly and unreliable “new” models, with even more bells and whistles.
#35
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I agree with that there were some quirks in some of the new machines. For me it was that 570 when it first came out. The Red Machine (215) which I bought a few years ago, was simple to use right out of the box with very little reading of the manual and it has never had a problem. The 590 I got to replace the 570 has actually also been problem free and I have done some piecing, free motion, BSR, ruler work, and embroidery on it. And I have felt the stitching is beautiful. Now, I did have to refer to the manual regarding some of the set up to do those things. And there was a bit of a learning curve as the machine really does tell you if you have not done some of the steps and that new larger bobbin does have a bit of a learning curve to place it properly back into the machine. However, I absolutely love the stitch quality and also how long that bobbin lasts. The 590 is not for someone who just wants to piece or just sews occasionally. The 475 is in the middle of these two. It was fairly easy to learn to use, I love the 5.5 mm feed dogs for piecing, and it is now in my sewing cabinet as I really do more piecing and quilting than anything else. All in all, I really am satisfied with these three Bernina machines, and I can honestly say, I am liking them better than my new Viking Topaz 40 which I am giving to my SIL as I really don't need 4 machines. I have stitch a bit on Janome's and to be honest, they have a different feel to them and I don't particularly care for them, but that is me.
Last edited by sewingpup; 06-14-2024 at 10:47 AM.
#37
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#38
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I attended a quilting class and used that opportunity to test drive everyone's machines. For quilting, the Berninas did the best job at finishing the seam straight, without the piece tugging to the side as you ended the seam.
I have a fabulous independent machine tech, which gave me the confidence to buy a used Artista 170 off eBay.
And...I love that machine. It is my piecing workhorse. It has a fabulous stitch. So no, I do not own a Bernina so I can brag. They have for decades been reliable, well made machines. My sister sews on an ancient 830, a very dependable machine. I take mine for servicing every year or two, my tech makes it run like butter. I have added extra lighting for my aging eyes.
I rented a new 570 for a week to do a quilting class I travelled to, and I did like that machine although it was very small and did not feel as solidly made as my 170. It actually did very well at both straight stitching and free motion.
My tech did warn me to take a pass on the newer machines, a topic we addressed when it came to free motion as the Artista 170 has a small arm. I decided, after test driving all the machines in my free motion class, to go with a Juki 2010Q for free motion projects.
I have a fabulous independent machine tech, which gave me the confidence to buy a used Artista 170 off eBay.
And...I love that machine. It is my piecing workhorse. It has a fabulous stitch. So no, I do not own a Bernina so I can brag. They have for decades been reliable, well made machines. My sister sews on an ancient 830, a very dependable machine. I take mine for servicing every year or two, my tech makes it run like butter. I have added extra lighting for my aging eyes.
I rented a new 570 for a week to do a quilting class I travelled to, and I did like that machine although it was very small and did not feel as solidly made as my 170. It actually did very well at both straight stitching and free motion.
My tech did warn me to take a pass on the newer machines, a topic we addressed when it came to free motion as the Artista 170 has a small arm. I decided, after test driving all the machines in my free motion class, to go with a Juki 2010Q for free motion projects.
Last edited by WesternWilson; 06-14-2024 at 05:45 PM.
#39
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yep, for free motion all you need is a straight stitch machine with a big enough open arm I used to have a Viking Megaquilter that I think was actually a Janome. I can't remember. Anyway, I knew some folks just loved that machine for piecing and free motion. I used to have it on a frame that was a bit of a pain. I gave it to my brother as they wanted something which would work on canvas which it certainly could do.
#40
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Why I won't buy a new out of the box high end machine is not one dealer will refund if the machine is lousy. They will fix it until it's fixed to death and you have paid for a repaired machine. I've seen it happen to many times for me to buy one. If I wanted one I'd buy a trade in that had already been fixed to death.