Bernina binding foot #88

[idaho]

Hi everyone.... Does anyone have the Bernina Binding Foot #88? what do you think of it? Is it worth the price? I have seen the YouTube video and it looks awesome... But it's just so darn expensive... What's also disappointing is that there are different sizes but you have to buy them separately .. Makes it very expensive then.... Sigh...

[Renata]

I don't own one but have borrowed one to see whether I would have wanted to purchase it. I also saw a really good demo by a Bernina educator who visited our area several months back. It takes a bit to become proficient with it, especially coming around the corners. It is important that your binding be starched before you use it. Myself, I did not see any great benefit to owning it because I would have used it on the occasional set of placemats, coasters but would have never used it on a quilt because I like the look of a hand-stitched binding. When I have wanted to machine stitch a binding, it was just as easy to do so without the binding tool and either stitch in the ditch or use a decorative stitch. The smallest Bernina binder is good for binding seams inside garments that don't have a lining, the medium one is probably good for placemats and the large one for quilts. At least, that's how I saw it.

[Renata]

Thank you Renata... I think I'll spend the money on more useable feet... It's just that I saw the video of the foot and as usual (for me) thought "I want one!" :P

[Renata]

You can buy a Suisei binder foot, which is a LOT cheaper and comes in more sizes. They are the same as the Bernina ones because Bernina buy them from Suisei and repackage them; if you look at a Bernina binder it even says Suisei on it! The Bernina ones come with a couple of extras to make them easier to attach but you can manage without them. Suisei suppliers can get those extras if you want them. Suisei binders are available at many industrial machine suppliers.
Pamela

[Renata]

Thank you Chefti - do you happen to know the product code? I've done a Google search and found a catalogue but there's quite a variety to be had.

[Renata]

I bought the ones beginning with A1X, as they seem to be the same as the Bernina ones. The number after the X denotes the starting size of the cut fabric in millimetres. Not sure where you are in the world but I but I buy them from College Sewing in the UK.

Pamela

[Renata]

Just spotted that you are in Australia. There is a dealer in New Zealand, who I guess will post to you. I know they can get the extra guides that are like the ones Bernina include. Walker SoTech http://www.walkersotech.co.nz

Pamela

[Renata]

Hi Pamela... Thank you so much... I will enquire at the NZ site... Wish I could go and buy from them personally... Just love NZ!