If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
Hello all,
This was to be a surprise for my wife, who is just getting into quilting. We had decided to get her a good tool that would last for a long time, and some local quilters convinced us that a Bernina 220 would be a good option. I guess other people had the same idea, since the dealer that had several 220s when I called didn't actually have any left when we got there (in another town). She did have a used 1530 for $100 more BUT that machine came with a walking foot, the knee bar, and the several other extras. I figure that stuff is worth at least a $100, so the question is would a used 1530 be better or worse than a brand new 220? I bought the 1530 so I'd have something to put under the tree, but have until the end of January to decide whether to keep it or not. I know absolutely nothing about this, and my wife is fairly new to quilting. Her current machine is a 20+ year old (Singer, I think). I suspect she'll end up taking the 1530 machine to the dealer and doing a side-by-side comparison before making up her mind, but neither of us really know what questions to ask. I'd appreciate feedback, comparisons, and opinions. Also any hint on certain things that some people like and others hate that she should pay attention to in comparing them would be appreciated? I suspect that the 1530 has lots of features she might never use, but probably has some extra (over the 220) that would be useful. She doesn't anticipate doing machine embroidery, but seems to like the quilting and it will also be used for general purpose sewing. One big plus of the Bernina was supposed to be dealer support, and the used machine will have 2 years maintenance but the electronics will be out of warranty, so another question is how reliable will the 10+ year old machine be? Hopefully there'll be lots of good info here and she can read this after Christmas to help her make up her mind. Thanks, and Merry Christmas, |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
On Dec 20, 9:33 am, wrote:
I owned a 220 for a couple of months and was less than pleased with it. The Electronics fried on it twice and needed to be replaced under warrenty. The size of the Harp, or opening is too small to do anything but small wall hanging quilts. If you try to push a full sized bed quilt through the opening you will have nothing but trouble. Assuming the machine you are getting is in good shape, it will be of greater use for your wifes quilting needs. It is a very good machine and is still used and loved by many avid quilters. The The 220 might be useful for taking to sewing class and piecing or clothing construction, but not for any serious quilting of large quilts. I traded the one I bought back to the dealer for a 1008 mechanical machine and was glad to get rid of it. I would stick with the one you got, and be happy that you didn't get the 220. I have another Bernina model that is computerized, and that one works fine. It was made in the Swiss factory, and the 220 was made in the Thailand Factory, that is opperated for Berina, and makes the lower end machines. The feet that come with the 220 are not the best feet either. They are cheap snap-on feet and not the single piece cast feet that Bernina is famous for. So for my money, I would give her the one you got and I think she will love it. John |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
I'm not at all familiar with those two Bernina models. There is a 1230
here - she's been millions of miles and has gotten a bit willful about her computer settings but really - nobody ever sews that much on one dear SM. There are two Bernina 155 here. There are just grand for quilting - unless they ever come out with one with a bigger harp. I love them dearly and think "Nothing sews like a Bernina, nothing". Well made, easy to understand, tolerant of about anything. Apparently there's just a heap of difference in the model numbers. Polly "John" wrote in message ... On Dec 20, 9:33 am, wrote: I owned a 220 for a couple of months and was less than pleased with it. The Electronics fried on it twice and needed to be replaced under warrenty. The size of the Harp, or opening is too small to do anything but small wall hanging quilts. If you try to push a full sized bed quilt through the opening you will have nothing but trouble. Assuming the machine you are getting is in good shape, it will be of greater use for your wifes quilting needs. It is a very good machine and is still used and loved by many avid quilters. The The 220 might be useful for taking to sewing class and piecing or clothing construction, but not for any serious quilting of large quilts. I traded the one I bought back to the dealer for a 1008 mechanical machine and was glad to get rid of it. I would stick with the one you got, and be happy that you didn't get the 220. I have another Bernina model that is computerized, and that one works fine. It was made in the Swiss factory, and the 220 was made in the Thailand Factory, that is opperated for Berina, and makes the lower end machines. The feet that come with the 220 are not the best feet either. They are cheap snap-on feet and not the single piece cast feet that Bernina is famous for. So for my money, I would give her the one you got and I think she will love it. John |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
There is a Bernina group on Yahoo groups that is a help for folks
with any Bernina that has a 30 in the model #...such as 930, 830, 1130, etc. Lots of good help there. I think some people have issues with the track ball --some like it some don't ..Anyway...ck out this group !! Good luck...Mary http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerninaThirtySomethings/ Here is from two posters on that site: I really want a good machine that is quiet, well built and easy to use. Any suggestions??? If you are looking for a used machine, you cannot go wrong with the 1130, 1230, 1260 or 1530. That generation is wonderful. Here is another....I found the 1530 the most intuitive sewing machine that I have ever used. Can't speak for the other computerized Berninas. What I like about it is that you look at the screen and your sewing -- never have to look for the correct button. Your thumbs reach the track ball and stitch width and length balls and when they do, your fingers are in the perfect position to click the OK or cancel buttons. Absolutely perfect for a right-hander. wrote in message ... Hello all, This was to be a surprise for my wife, who is just getting into quilting. We had decided to get her a good tool that would last for a long time, and some local quilters convinced us that a Bernina 220 would be a good option. I guess other people had the same idea, since the dealer that had several 220s when I called didn't actually have any left when we got there (in another town). She did have a used 1530 for $100 more BUT that machine came with a walking foot, the knee bar, and the several other extras. I figure that stuff is worth at least a $100, so the question is would a used 1530 be better or worse than a brand new 220? I bought the 1530 so I'd have something to put under the tree, but have until the end of January to decide whether to keep it or not. I know absolutely nothing about this, and my wife is fairly new to quilting. Her current machine is a 20+ year old (Singer, I think). I suspect she'll end up taking the 1530 machine to the dealer and doing a side-by-side comparison before making up her mind, but neither of us really know what questions to ask. I'd appreciate feedback, comparisons, and opinions. Also any hint on certain things that some people like and others hate that she should pay attention to in comparing them would be appreciated? I suspect that the 1530 has lots of features she might never use, but probably has some extra (over the 220) that would be useful. She doesn't anticipate doing machine embroidery, but seems to like the quilting and it will also be used for general purpose sewing. One big plus of the Bernina was supposed to be dealer support, and the used machine will have 2 years maintenance but the electronics will be out of warranty, so another question is how reliable will the 10+ year old machine be? Hopefully there'll be lots of good info here and she can read this after Christmas to help her make up her mind. Thanks, and Merry Christmas, |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
On Dec 20, 8:33 am, wrote:
Hello all, ... portion snipped ... so the question is would a used 1530 be better or worse than a brand new 220? ... portion snipped ... Thanks, and Merry Christmas, I cannot say anything about the 1530, as I am totally unfamiliar with it. I purchased an Activa 240 around 2 1/2 years ago. It has been a reliable little machine, which I take to classes, do applique and machine piecing. I purchased the machine for the first two items -- the latter was a wonderful bonus. I am also learning how to free motion quilt on some small quilts. When I took my machine class for it, they told me it had a full size motor -- same one as in the larger machines. However, for a long term investment, the machine is missing a few things. * As some said, it has a smaller harp than other sewing machines. As I have RSI to my right wrist, it hurts too much for me to push large quilts around for machine quilting, so I don't ever plan to do anything larger than a lap quilt. Still, it would be easier to push even a small quilt around if there was more space in the harp area. If you have another machine on which quilting would be done, then this would not be an issue. * It cannot use the BSR, but one can learn FMQ without it. I must confess I am having a particularly hard time learning FMQ, but that may just be because I'm not very coordinated :-). The 240 can use most of the other feet that the Aurora 430/440 and Artista 630/640/730 do. Of course it cannot use the wider 9mm ones. * The machine only has two motor speeds; there are times at which I wish for more, but it is not something that would deter me from getting this machine again. * It does not have a presser foot pressure adjustment, but I think that is also missing on the Auroras. * It cannot do machine embroidery -- an option on the Auroras. While you may never become interested in doing that, it would be available if you ever change your mind about it. Please note: * The 220 has snap on feet. I think the solid regular feet contribute to more accurate sewing, so that is something you might want to consider. It is an additional cost to get the solid feet on the 220. * The knee lift is an extra on the 220 -- it comes with the 240. * The 240 has a brighter light -- optional on the 220. Bev in TX |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
As far as I'm concerned a machine bought for a quilter needs a big harp
area. I tend to stick with lap quilt size quilts and would still find problems manouvering on anything smaller. I've looked at Berninas when I've passed them in shops and always thought how small they are! I was only on my second quilt when I got my Janome 6500 (superceded by 6600) and wouldn't change it for the world. True it was higher up the price range, but I'll never need to change it. Its a good solid workhorse with all the adjustments of tension, speed, needle position you could wish for, together with a lovely big harp space. Mine also came with the extension table to give a larger work area included, and lots and lots of feet. Buying extras for Berninas necessitates taking out an extra mortgage! I think if you start with good tools a new hobby will be so much easier - nothing worse than trying to do a good job with tools not made to tackle what you're trying to achieve at any time - even worse for a beginner. I don't know anything about the 1530 at all I'm afaid. Sounds as though your wife is going to have fun doing the comparisons. Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk) wrote: On Dec 20, 8:33 am, wrote: Hello all, ... portion snipped ... so the question is would a used 1530 be better or worse than a brand new 220? ... portion snipped ... Thanks, and Merry Christmas, I cannot say anything about the 1530, as I am totally unfamiliar with it. I purchased an Activa 240 around 2 1/2 years ago. It has been a reliable little machine, which I take to classes, do applique and machine piecing. I purchased the machine for the first two items -- the latter was a wonderful bonus. I am also learning how to free motion quilt on some small quilts. When I took my machine class for it, they told me it had a full size motor -- same one as in the larger machines. However, for a long term investment, the machine is missing a few things. * As some said, it has a smaller harp than other sewing machines. As I have RSI to my right wrist, it hurts too much for me to push large quilts around for machine quilting, so I don't ever plan to do anything larger than a lap quilt. Still, it would be easier to push even a small quilt around if there was more space in the harp area. If you have another machine on which quilting would be done, then this would not be an issue. * It cannot use the BSR, but one can learn FMQ without it. I must confess I am having a particularly hard time learning FMQ, but that may just be because I'm not very coordinated :-). The 240 can use most of the other feet that the Aurora 430/440 and Artista 630/640/730 do. Of course it cannot use the wider 9mm ones. * The machine only has two motor speeds; there are times at which I wish for more, but it is not something that would deter me from getting this machine again. * It does not have a presser foot pressure adjustment, but I think that is also missing on the Auroras. * It cannot do machine embroidery -- an option on the Auroras. While you may never become interested in doing that, it would be available if you ever change your mind about it. Please note: * The 220 has snap on feet. I think the solid regular feet contribute to more accurate sewing, so that is something you might want to consider. It is an additional cost to get the solid feet on the 220. * The knee lift is an extra on the 220 -- it comes with the 240. * The 240 has a brighter light -- optional on the 220. Bev in TX |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
Sally Swindells wrote:
As far as I'm concerned a machine bought for a quilter needs a big harp area. I tend to stick with lap quilt size quilts and would still find problems manouvering on anything smaller. I've looked at Berninas when I've passed them in shops and always thought how small they are! That's true if the quilter is going to do the quilting on that machine. If all she is going to do is piece, the smaller machine may be okay. The larger harp area is not so important if all the quilts will be quilted by hand or sent out for quilting. And if she wants to take the machine to classes and retreats, the smaller machine may be perfect. I don't think I'd want to lug a Janome 6600 to a class or retreat. Julia in MN -- This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus http://webpages.charter.net/jaccola/ |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks -- Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
Thanks for all the good responses so far. I also liked the "heft" of
the 1530 over the 210 and 230 they did have in the store. I hadn't thought about having to take it to classes and stuff though. I didn't set them side-by-side, but the harp (I'm guessing this is the round space to the right of the needle, for rolling up stuff and scrunching it through the machine) didn't look any bigger on the 1530 than on the 210 (which should be identical, physically, to the sold- out 220). Does the 1530 have a larger harp? Some responses seem to imply it does. Also, Bev, I figured out RSI and FMQ but you lost me on BSR? It sounds as if she needs to mainly decide on whether or not she likes the track-ball interface, and if she likes it the 1530 is the better of these two machines. Thanks also for not mentioning actual prices, I'll have her look here and maybe follow up. I'm already pushing the budget at this level, and can't really go any higher right now. We were hoping the Bernina would hold it's value, and if she really gets into the quilting she can trade up later. I guess that's another reason I like the used machine over the plastic 220. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks -- Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220
Oh boy! Trading in a used sewing machine is exactly like trading cars. The
machines drop in value a huge amount the first year or so. That's why a nearly new used machine is such a great buy- it will usually still have some warranty and be considerably cheaper than brand new- just like trading cars. Also, like trading a car, there is that ridiculous numbers game- charge more for what's being purchased so they can give the trade-in a greater value. This includes the 'famous' statement "if you trade it in within a year we'll give you what you paid for it". Ridiculous! It's still a used trade-in... they cannot resell it as new for the same price as a new machine, can they? There's no way they can legitimately give you what you paid for it and remain in business very long. If what you want to buy costs $2K at one dealer and your trade in is valued at $1K- then you have to give the dealer $1K cash plus your trade in, right? If what you want to buy at another dealer (same purchased machine as in the previous example) is priced at $3K and they say your trade-in is worth $2K- you STILL have to give the dealer your machine and $1K cash, right? So many people think the second example is a 'better deal' cuz they are getting $2K for their trade-in instead of *only* $1K. It's apples and oranges. All that matters is how much cash you have to put with your trade-in.... NOT what the trade-in value may be or even what the sale price on the purchase may be. As long as what you are buying is comparable at both dealers it's just a numbers game that means nothing. If you don't have a trade-in it's cut and dried- what you pay in cash is what you pay at either dealer. It's the trade-in that muddies it all up. Leslie (worked in auto dealerships for a hundred years and saw this twenty time a day), Missy & The Furbabies in MO. wrote in message ... Thanks for all the good responses so far. I also liked the "heft" of the 1530 over the 210 and 230 they did have in the store. I hadn't thought about having to take it to classes and stuff though. I didn't set them side-by-side, but the harp (I'm guessing this is the round space to the right of the needle, for rolling up stuff and scrunching it through the machine) didn't look any bigger on the 1530 than on the 210 (which should be identical, physically, to the sold- out 220). Does the 1530 have a larger harp? Some responses seem to imply it does. Also, Bev, I figured out RSI and FMQ but you lost me on BSR? It sounds as if she needs to mainly decide on whether or not she likes the track-ball interface, and if she likes it the 1530 is the better of these two machines. Thanks also for not mentioning actual prices, I'll have her look here and maybe follow up. I'm already pushing the budget at this level, and can't really go any higher right now. We were hoping the Bernina would hold it's value, and if she really gets into the quilting she can trade up later. I guess that's another reason I like the used machine over the plastic 220. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Bernina: Used 1530 vs new 220 | [email protected] | Quilting | 37 | December 23rd 07 06:33 PM |
Bernina 440 QE | WitchyStitcher | Quilting | 6 | January 18th 06 01:16 AM |
Help, new Bernina 155 | Polly Esther | Quilting | 9 | May 12th 04 09:33 PM |
Bernina 155? | Polly Esther | Quilting | 10 | May 5th 04 04:46 AM |
Bernina 930 help? | KCK | Quilting | 7 | February 10th 04 03:19 PM |