Bernina 700d Price
Ronald Gruzinsky
I get so many questions about sewing machines, and honestly I am NO expert on sewing machines, I only know what I have! So I thought I'd write a quick update about my sewing machines, what I'm using and what's working! Here is my last post 4 years ago that is more in depth with more links.
Last week I was answering an email with questions about my Juki and I told her I've had it for a "couple of years"....then she emailed me back after reading my first post about it and said...."actually, you've had your Juki for 4 years". Whoops! And that's why I blog....because I can't remember ANYTHING unless it has been documented.
So...I've had my Juki for 4 years. I still LOVE this machine. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. I have had zero problems with it...but this is also my second machine. I had my first for a couple of weeks before I broke it and sent it back for a replacement within the warranty. You can read all about that at the bottom of this post. I purchased my machine here (I think SewVacDirect also sells directly on their website) and I would highly recommend buying an extended warranty. I bought this machine for $975 at the time before tax. I have no plans to upgrade or change machines...this baby should last me many more years (knock on wood)!
What I love about this machine: It is fast, it is reliable, it's very low maintenance, it has no computerized mechanisms I worry about breaking, it still has the needle down and thread cutter I love, it free motion quilts like a dream with a much larger throat space, it's powerful when sewing through multiple layers, and it's very easy for my kids to operate and sew on now that they are more interested in sewing (this model has the speed control, so I can turn the speed dial all the way to slow and it's perfect for kids). It's just a great, basic, non-fussy, powerful machine.
What I would change about this machine: The walking foot is still loud, clanky, and really a pain to use. I rarely use it, but on the plus side this machine is so powerful that I can bind quilts without the walking foot without any issues or dragging. The tension is the main problem I've heard with Juki's, and if it gets off it's really hard to get back to perfect. I've never had serious tension issues, but there have been a few times my kids have turned the tension dials just for fun and it's a nightmare to re-adjust. Also it's annoying there is no zig zag stitch, this is only a straight stitch machine. Luckily those have been very minimal things and are the only things I dislike about this machine (and maybe the walking foot issues have been fixed since I bought mine 4 years ago?).
Okay so I have to first say that my Bernina 440 is about 7 years old, so there have been great improvements and changes to the newer models. So take what I say with a grain of salt...but also it's nice to know how your machine will hold up after 7 years and millions of stitches!
4 years ago this was my main machine and my Juki was my "once in awhile" machine...and now they have changed roles. I hardly ever use this machine! I do use it for all of my decorative stitches, and lately it's been sitting on my dining room table while I quilted a bunch of quilts using the a wavy stitch with my walking foot (Bernina stitch 4, width set to 5, length set to 3). But before last month it had been in my closet for maybe a year or more untouched (I hate typing that but it's true!).
What I love about this machine: It is so reliable, and makes a perfect stitch every single time. Also it has never once has tension issues like the Juki. I love using the walking foot on this machine, and it's quiet and pulls the fabric through like a dream.
What I would change about this machine: My light went out in this machine, and after taking it all apart they figured out it was a motherboard issue, and to fix it I'd have to have the motherboard changed. So my light doesn't work, but I have an external light attached to it that seems to work fine. It seems really slow after stitching on the Juki, it would be too slow for me now if this was my only machine. The throat space is so tight, so it's tricky to push a full rolled up quilt through it. Basically the same things that I didn't like before I still don't like, but they didn't bother me before I had the Juki and realized the difference. Newer Bernina's have larger throat space and are faster, but they are also thousands more than the Juki. My Mom has a Bernina 750 and it sews like a dream...but it also has way more functions than I would ever use.
Anyways...those are my long winded thoughts about my sewing machines. I love them both, I use them both, but now I've used the Juki as my main machine for 4 years. I also have a Bernina 1008 I was gifted when I got married, and I only pull it out when I travel or teach youth how to sew, etc.
Really enjoyed reading your review of your Juki and Bernina 440. I purchased my 440 QE after the birth of our only granddaughter, 15 years ago. I had to wait for the machine to be shipped from the factory. The motherboard went out within the first year, thankfully, I had a wonderful Bernina dealer in Wichita, KS, he loaned me a machine until mine was repaired. My light has also gone out, the closest dealer is 2 + hours away, like you, I am using other lighting to allow me to see what I am stitching.. I bought the Bernina 930 in 1986; still sews as good as the day I brought it home. I find myself relying on my "old" faithful, using the 440 for embroidery and BSR foot when quilting. I purchased a Brother CX155LA for classes and quilt retreats. I would love to have the larger throat space; thankful for the three machines I have, and certainly can't justify the price of a new Bernina.
Thank you for this review Allison! My Janome is very slow and also has a small throat space, but is great for piecing blocks. A few years back I was interested in another Janome that had a nice wide throat space, but was discouraged (by the staff) to buy it as it only did straight stitch. Not knowing what that meant, and wanting it especially for quilting my quilts on, I just left the store without buying anything.( I realized later, that they had hoped I would buy a sophisticated 'Memory machine' for quilting - table and all)! Your review has helped. We are so limited here with places to buy sewing machines, but I will be checking things out more closely.
Thank you for the reviews. I sew on a Bernina 135 & a 351. Love both machines but would love a larger throat too. I've considered getting the Juki when Primitive Gatherings puts them on sale around Christmas but always back away because I don't want the mess of having 2 different bobbins. That's also my main concern with moving up to a fancier Bernina -- different bobbins.
I too have a Juki and I love it. I had a Pfaff since 1973. It was so heavy duty; just like the Juki. I make about 20 quilts a year and this is my go to machine. Would only trade it in on another Juki at little newer perhaps.
I think I have had most of the sewing machine brands over the years. All were very good, except my Sears Kenmore, it was awful. I too have the Juki mentioned in this article, (love it), I have a Pfaff 4.0 and a Singer featherweight. Now, I have the new Juki QVP J 150. If you get a chance sit down at one of these. It does a straight stitch only, with free motion ability. It is so smooth that it almost creates the design for you. Love it. The only drawback is that it is heavy, so heavy you can not move it from place to place. Finally, I have a machine that is a dream to free motion on, and I can do my piecing on it as well. Go try one out..
I forgot to mention that this machine comes with a large sewing table with a drop leaf. I have been to several large quilt shows and have not seen this machine there. Maybe because it is so heavy. Here is a video that shows it.
I have a Bernina 135 or I did, my first Bernina I bought it in 2001 after 9/11 when DH said life's too short, go buy a good machine. I bought the cheapest Bernina available and it was a dream after trying to sew on a cheap singer. Singer was my first machine when I graduated from high school in 1976 and it was great! Anyway I was rear ended on 9/30/18 in a 4 car pileup and my 130 was in my trunk from a sewing group I enjoy twice monthly and it flipped over I don't know how many times and needs a new motherboard at about $700. I decided to just wait and buy another machine at some point. I also have a Bernina 220 which is basically the same machine. A great deal got dumped in my lap and when I took it in for a checkup, the Bernina guy said wow this only has about 30 hours on it. I also have Pfaff I never use. I bought it for my daughter, but she is too busy to sew. It does have a bigger throat and I have considered using it for machine quilting. I need to dig it out. I taught my 10 year old granddaughter to sew when she was about 5 on the 135. It and the 220 are work horses.
I have the same two machines as your's. I love the Juki. I got it about 3 years ago and I sew on it all the time. I too don't like the walking foot. I was a Bernina dealer years ago and I would tell anyone today that they are a wonderful machine but the Juki has helped me to get this sewing done. I love the fact that I don't have to hold the thread before I start and at the end the cutting of the thread and you can start up again. I have sold a couple machines to my friends and they even get a better price than I got. But that's OK because it is worth every penny. I would replace it tomorrow if I had to. Thanks, Nancy Pleimann
I have the juki TL2000qi and the DX7. I love them both...but the DX7 has a couple of advantages. It is for sure lighter than the 2000 or the 2010, does 250 stitches, and has a floating foot feature which actually allows me to quilt without changing feet, and you don't have to oil it. I know I have to be careful when stitching really fast on the 2000 because I can tell you that screws loosen when you do that! I am going to try free motion quilting on the DX7 next. But for me, the lower price point is very appealing and in machines which seem to be workhorses!