I quilt very large quilts on my domestic sewing machines and I am sometimes asked whether I have considered buying a machine that has a larger harp. Well, I do covet the new Bernina 820, for many reasons including its 12in arm, but I haven’t been converted to other brands. A key reason that I remain attached to my Bernina is that I love the design of the Bernina walking foot. It clips securely onto the shank and can be swapped quickly and easily without mucking around with a screw driver. Here’s a comparison of the Bernina walking foot and the Janome equivalent:
What’s more, the open-toed square shape and markings on the Bernina foot are useful for the intense linear quilting that I use on my contemporary works. The 1/4in marking is also ideal for when I am attaching bindings and facings with 1/4in seams.
What’s the favourite feature on your sewing machine?
Lisa says
My favorite feature might seem a little silly, but I LOVE my automatic needle threader. It makes my life so much easier when I switch out threads!
Kristin L says
Like you, I’m quite attached to my Bernina walking foot, but I also LOVE the knee lift!!
Judy says
I’m a Bernina Girl too. I love the walking foot and the knee lift…………and now I’d love to have that automatic needle threader!
Linda says
Hmm, seeing these next to each other, I will consider a Bernina instead of a Janome when I buy a new machine! (whenever that may be… not in the next few years probably)
terry grant says
I love both my Bernina (old) and my Janome (newer) for all the reasons you state. That Janome walking foot does not look like mine. Mine is as open toed and square as the Bernina foot and no screwdriver is required, just a little thumbscrew, which takes but a second to switch out. Both machines have a knee lift. The Janome has the wider harp at a much lower price than the Bernina. Both great machines IMHO.
Terri says
I love my Bernina too. I think my favorite feature might be the needle up/needle down positioning. I didn’t have that before and it is a joy to have now. I, too, would love to have one of those new 820’s in my studio….sigh! I see that some of the other commenters mentioned the knee lift. I’ve never used that, but wonder if I should try it out. I think that feature is something I’d have to get used to over time.
Penny says
I love the IDF (Integrated Dual Feed) on my Pfaff. It’s the equivalent of a walking foot, but integrated into the machine. Engaging it is accomplished by simply pressing a kind of hook down over the back of the foot.
Ruth says
I’m a Bernina fan. I enjoy my walking foot more for dressmaking purposes. For quiltmaking purposes I couldn’t do without my darning/embroidery foot (the one which is open at the front) and the ability to lower my feed dogs! After reading the first comment I have to say that automatic needle threader is another feature I enjoy – when I first saw it on my new machine I thought it a silly, frivolous extra, but its certainly much quicker than threading the needle myself!
Shirley Jacobs says
Hi Brenda, answer to your question what’s my favorite thing on my (Bernina) sewingmachine: if you click on the link below and scroll a bit down, you’ll see my Bernina (Aurora 440) and attatched behind the machine the spool-carrier is my favorite.
I also have a Pfaff and use it for it’s smooth working intergraded walkingfoot IDF, once you’ve worked with that you won’t settle for less, how highly you now think of the Bernina walkingfoot. btw I love your blogs!
Shirley Jacobs says
Sorry about the above, I just wanted to make a clickable link of my weblogpost referring to the spoolcarrier.
this is the link to copy& paste
http://zipjezopje.web-log.nl/zipjezopje/2009/03/an-other-garden.html