Sewing machines

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

Comment:

I use my machine on a regular basis. I love sewing and I love my machine. I make sure that I clean and oil the machine after every project and that I use good sewing machine needles as well. I love how easy it is to use stitch patterns and that you can keep the needle in the down position if needed. It is easy to wind bobbins and to thread the machine. I love that you can choose from so many pressure feet as well. <br />I have had my machine since 2010 and have never had problems.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

(34 of 34 customers found this review helpful)

Comment:

I received the Artista 230PE as a gift from my wonderful mother-in-law. She refuses to buy anything but the best and this machine fits the bill. I have now owned it for 1.5 years.<br /><br />The PE designation stands for patchwork edition and is a limited edition model that comes with additional designer stitches built into the machine (compared to the standard 230). As a 40-something novice who hated sewing all her life, I was apalled at the amount of money spent to get me the Bernina (especially since I was unsure whether I could learn to like sewing) but WOW was it worth it! This machine is quiet and easy to use. As a novice, I could have benefited from a little more specific instructions from the manual, however, I must assume that the vast majority of people who would consider the high-end Bernina machines would be experienced sewers and not a totally green novice such as myself.<br /><br />The only other thought I would add to folks reading this review is to make sure they read K the Stitcher's post from Feb 2010 as she has written a well thought out review which I heartily agree with. By the way, I did learn to love sewing and all the frustrations that go along with it. Bernina, and this machine in particular, helped teach me to love to sew.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

(119 of 119 customers found this review helpful)

Comment:

Actually, I own the Activa 240, but the 230 is almost identical (according to Bernina's own literature), with variations in the number of stitches (240=256 stitches; 230=204 stitches) and standard vs. optional inclusion of some accessories (the Free Hand System lever for lifting the presser foot is standard on the 240, as is the fluorescent bar light; these are optional for the 230).<br />I acquired my Bernina Actiiva as a replacement for a Husqvarna 1+, which had been stolen. I debated between another Husqvarna (the Sapphire) but I'm delighted to have chosen the Bernina. <br />It's the best dressmaking machine I've ever used (and I've been making dresses for about 50 years!) The wealth of features is astounding--Consumer Reports ratings only touch on ta few of them. For instance, needle up/needle down is standard; it's a time-saver and quality assurance feature I wouldn't want to do without. The controls for stitch length and width are easily understood and used; the needle position is adjustable with the touch of a button, for zippers, edgestitching and other applications. <br />This sturdy little machine is made largely of METAL (imagine!), as opposed to the largely plastic construction of most other machines, including the top-of-the-line models. The Activas are compact and quite portable. I am using mine primarily for theatrical costume construction, so I periodically pack her up and tote her around town. She came with a smart-looking canvas cover, and the cleverest little accessory cabinet I've ever seen on any machine--there are little racks to hold bobbins and presser feet and drawers for needles, etc. This attaches to the machine when not in use, but readily converts to a free standing cabinet (about 8 inches tall) that fits nicely behind the machine for ready access to presser feet.<br />Bernina's presser feet are worth noting: their sturdy one-piece design lends greater stability and makes them easier to change. Even the walking foot is simple--no unscrewing the ankle; just pop it on!<br />The stitch memories are lovely; I like to stitch name tags for the actors and with the alphabets plus memory features, this is very simple.<br />Another dandy feature is the short-term memory for the standard stitches. Let's say you want a longer stitch length for the basic straight stitch, which the machine has programmed at a default of about 2.5 mm. When you adjust the length to your own preference, the machine will remember your change until you switch it off--even if you are using other stitches. <br />I love the extra-capacity metal bobbins (I think this is another Bernina standard). I have had many machines with plastic bobbins and, not only do they not hold as much thread, they occasionally have problems with backlash thread tangling and breaking (both the bobbin and the thread). <br />It's hard to find something I don't like about the Bernina Activa, but I would recommend two modifications:<br />First, what Pfaff calls integrated dual feed--an upper-level feed dog that eliminates the need to use a walking foot;; it can be used with any presser foot! (I understand Bernina's newest top-of-the-line machine has incorporated this). My second recommendaton would be the ability to toggle needle-up/needle-down with a tap of the foot pedal. I just learned from the Bernina website that this is an option for the Activa 230 and 240. <br />Maintenance is quite simple; dust out the bobbin case and occasionally put a drop of oil, as instructed in the manual. Repairs? I don't know; in the year that I have been using this machine, it's been totally reliable. Even the needle-threader is still working!<br />Bottom line: if you are looking for an excellent machine with up-to-date features, reliability, portability, and overall quality, the Bernina Activas will suit you well.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.