440 or 640?

[EditorAnne]

I've been reading your great remarks and hope I can get some help from you all. I have a Bernina 153 QE which I have loved for 5 years but would really like the BSR. I know it won't do my machine quilting for me but it might help!
I was looking at the Aurora 440 ($2900 with BSR) but have been offered an Artista 640, 2 months old, full warrenty (from shop who originally supplied it) with BSR for $2500. I wonder if this is too much machine - I'm not really into the embroidery, I quilt and dressmake as well as make drapes etc. Of course size/weight is not an issue as I can use my 153 for classes/quilt group etc.
Does anyone have any thoughts about these two machines?
Thanks in advance.
Jan

[kmouse]

Since you mentioned that you are also sew garments and home dec, I would go big time for the 640. You would get the BSR and the 640 has a 9mm stitch max instead of 5.5mm on the 440. There is also some great features for regular sewing.

The buttonholes are really simple and beautiful and offer more options that the 440 does.

Stitches can be combined for really lovely "recipes" that are much easier to store in memory than in the 440 also.

Screen is in color and easier to read.

Also,even if you are not into embroidery (yet) the 640 will not require a PC to be up and running like the 440. You can buy a design, put it in the machine...add lettering and go. The 640 does not come with editing software but you will get a CD that allows you to take a design from your computer, send it to the USB stick and then take it to your machine and sew out. So even if you will not do much emb. it is pretty easy to do without learning the EC on PC that the 440 requires.

If you are getting this from a dealer, the Mastery Classes will make sure this "isn't too much machine".

Have fun!

[mknavy90]

Hi, Jan!

Although I can't comment on the 2 machines that you are looking at, I will share a little experience with the BSR.

I have a 730 that both my daughter (who is 14) and I use. I thought that the BSR would be a big help to me as I was learning to machine quilt. Surprisingly, I found the my movement of the quilt sandwich was not a steady enough motion to have the BSR function well. I got quite frustrated with it and have been doing free motion quilting on my most recent 2 quilts. Working on the free motion technique, I am finding that I am more comfortable "driving" with the foot pedal.

My daughter on the other hand, jumped into machine quilting a full year ahead of me and has only used the BSR. She has done her quilting on a few quilts with the BSR and really loves using it. (she also doesn't drive a car yet, so she isn't used to using a foot pedal for anything).

So, I just thought I would mention that we are both relatively new machine quilters and one loves the BSR (my daughter) and one (me) has found that I do better quilting without the BSR. Ultimately, I am glad that I have a machine with the BSR, as it did help both my daughter and I take "the quilting plunge" with a little more confidence!

Have fun figuring out what you want in your next machine! I always think that the journey is half the fun of getting to the destination!

Mary Kay

[mknavy90]

Having just bought a 640 I would certainly go for that. I also have a 153 and what I really like about the 640 is the 9mm stitch width and all the other pattern combination/alteration options. As a long time free-motion quilter I took a while to get used to the BSR and still haven't decided whether I prefer foot pedal or no foot pedal . Go for it it sounds like a bargain.

[Margo]

I find that reducing the stitch length on the machine makes the BSR ever so much more responsive to the movement of the fabric and makes the stitches much more uniform. This tip came from Libby Lehman at a Super Seminar!

[Margo]

last December I purchased the 640 after carefully weighing out all my options as well as my needs. I am extremely happy with my choice. I have found the USB stick to be very useful for imputing embroidery designs into the computer. I never realized how much I would use the embroidery feature until I started playing with different designs. It offers an entirely new avenue of sewing. Along with the vast assortment of stitches.

[mknavy90]

last December I purchased the 640 after carefully weighing out all my options as well as my needs. I am extremely happy with my choice. I have found the USB stick to be very useful for imputing embroidery designs into the computer. I never realized how much I would use the embroidery feature until I started playing with different designs. It offers an entirely new avenue of sewing. Along with the vast assortment of stitches.

That reminds me of a question that I have..... does anyone know how much space is on the USB stick? I am trying to ensure that I don't clutter it up and run out of space.

And a second question - can a generic USB stick be used if I do run out of space, or should only a USB stick purchased from Bernina be used?

Thanks!!!

[mknavy90]

I find that reducing the stitch length on the machine makes the BSR ever so much more responsive to the movement of the fabric and makes the stitches much more uniform. This tip came from Libby Lehman at a Super Seminar!

Great idea :idea: , Margo. Thanks! I will give that I try next time I am using the BSR.

Mary Kay

[mknavy90]

As to which machine to buy I go with the biggest best that I can afford because I do not know what the future will need.

I use to clothing sew but now I quilt... I hated embroidery and home dec until I had a grand baby and sewed the layette and decorate his jumpers, pjs, sweats and other pieces of clothing.

I kept my original machine that had all the bells and whistles I could get and am just now salivating over BSR. I wish all the machines had it.

I wish you good luck with whatever you pick... but I am with TIM ALLEN... MORE POWER!

[mknavy90]

I have had the 630 for a year now and love it, in the scenario offered I would definitely buy the 640. You can't expand your horizons if you don't have the tools, you may not use the embroidery now, but who knows what avenues it will open up for you? If you want to get an accurate 1/4 inch though, you will probably need to buy a straight stitch plate for the 640 as the wider stitch width and throat plate can cause difficulties. Alex gave this hint in the latest program, but I've been told this before as well.

[mknavy90]

I have the 153QE(which I love) and I bought the 640E in June for the BSR and embroidery. I am having a ball with it, and can't say I am totally comfortable with the BSR or the embroidery yet, but they are user friendly and I just need to go to a couple more of my classes at my dealer. Even without the classes, I have been doing fine with just the book and internet and my friend's help. The 9mm has been no problem for me to achieve the 1/4 inch seam and I don't have a special plate for it. (That is the one thing about the dealer classes, they do try to sell you more stuff.) I also kept my 153QE, which is great when you want to sew and embroider.
Enjoy, Elizabeth

[mknavy90]

I find that reducing the stitch length on the machine makes the BSR ever so much more responsive to the movement of the fabric and makes the stitches much more uniform. This tip came from Libby Lehman at a Super Seminar!

Great idea :idea: , Margo. Thanks! I will give that I try next time I am using the BSR.

Mary Kay

You can check your space using the computer. If you plug in your USB stick and click on "my computer" then click on the USB stick it should give you the information. I believe that there is a lot of space on that little stick.

[mknavy90]

I just tried to find my information. What I found that worked best was to right click on the Bernina_PDS. Then then click on properties....a window pops up that should have a graph of your USB stick. I hope this helps. Mine has 244 MB.

[mknavy90]

Thanks, Judy! I will try to check that out tomorrow when I get to play in my quilt room! Mary Kay

[mknavy90]

Thank you everyone, you've really helped. My decision.... I'm not sure.
I've decided to try and work a little more on some design work I'd love to do and make the decision when I'm ready rather than when someone is trying to offer me a deal.
I can see a 640 in my future sometime but will continue to love my 153 - with new powerboard (expensive repair!)
See you elsewhere on TQS
Jan