Stitchensu

I am so confused! In addition to garment sewing (handbags-some in leather) I do mostly free motion quilted wall pieces. The 440QE comes with the stitch regulator which I am lusting after since I do alot of intricate stitching plus other accessories from a previous owner for $1,500. The 530 is newer has no stitch regulator and is selling new from a dealer in the pretty much the same location-two hours from me for $1,999. The BSR will add several hundred $$ to that price. Or they have a used 730 (no warranty from that dealer) with BSR for $2,200.
I have been looking at the features on the web site but honestly I I can't get a clear idea of the differences. The 440 has less than 100 sewing hours and I have seen the most recent service record.
The machine I am using now is a Pfaff Performance 5.0 so it is not that old but unfortunately the stitch quality on light weight leather is so poor and so has much trouble even seaming leather I can't trust it. I tried a 560 with no alterations at another dealer and the stitches on my practice leather handle made me want to refinance my house!

IrishNY

The 730 was discontinued a few years ago so getting parts will become harder. It does have a larger space to the right of the needle (I think it may be 10"). The 440 only has 7.5" to the right so it is a tighter squeeze for FMQ. I have a 740 with BSR. I'm not a mad fan of the BSR. I feel like I do better when I FMQ without it. It just takes more practice.

Berninas are wonderful machines. I've had three and the stitch quality can't be beat. Good luck with your decision!

dunster

I have the 440 and used the BSR until I got a longarm. I loved it. But I don't know anything about the 530, and I haven't tried sewing through leather with the 440. Would a vintage machine be better for that purpose? Some of them were made for tougher jobs like that.

QuiltingNinaSue

If you are sewing leather, you might want to consider an industrial straight sewing machine that is made for sewing leather. . Or eight layers of denim I have heard the Janome has a machine for that. I have a 550 Bernina and dh uses that to make his kilts more than I use it to sew on. I do not quilt my quilt tops or blocks...maybe some day. I still use my 1530 inspire Bernina because I love it. (It was acquired new in 1999 and is still going!)

sewingsuz

I have the 440 with the BSR and it is a great machine. I went to a Bernina shop last summer because of some water that dripped from the ceiling into my machine. It was making a funny noise. When I got to the dealer it had dried out and no more noise. The dealer told me it was a great machine.

Cam's gram

I have a 440QE and when a service tech was at my house for a service call on my longarm he asked me how I like the 440QE. Told him I loved it. He said their store use to sell Berninas and they thought the 440QE was one of the best machines Bernina ever made. Don't know anything about the 530.

Marigold3950

I have sewed on a friends 440 QE and am now looking to buy one. I understood her to say it came with a BSR and she bought it when her son was an infant. (23 or so years ago) She sewed leather on this machine, but she used needles for leather.

sewingpup

whatever model you buy...you might want to check on how long the manufacturer will continue to support that model. Most of the machines now have computer cards in them and there is a life span on how long those cards will be available to be replaced....My Viking D1 computer components can no longer be replaced unless I am lucky enough to be able to locate it from another old machine. I do not believe that the Bernina 440 is being manufactured anymore but I do not know how long the computer boards for it will be available. Modern sewing machines are like computers....there is a limit on their lifespan. I consider myself lucky in that my Viking D1 is still running well....but I would even be hesitant to sell her to somebody else without making it clear that it could fail at anytime. The price would totally be negotiable and I would mainly be basing it on the extra feet ect. that would go with it as those could still be used on other models and have value.

Suz

I would go with the stitch regulator. I had this machine for several years and had no problems with its performance. You will not be sorry. I traded it in as I move up and then later up again. Bernina machines do not lose their value when trading. Incidentally, I always purchase used as the Bernina has earned its excellent rating.