Virginia, a 200 upgraded to a 730 is basically the identical machine to the 730, the case is a little different. 9mm stitch, and yes it has the thread cutter. Just go to the Bernina site and view the brochure for the 730.

Have you "Tinkled" today?
vmckenna wrote:

I have the 630 and the 730. I'd be hard pressed to choose which one is my favorite. I'll go out on a limb here and say that I think the 630 is the "better" machine. It's performance is nothing short of perfection, whether sewing or embroidering.

The 730 however, has so many features I would just HATE to give up. I love the 16 way directional stitching. For those that quilt, this can be a godsend when you've got the middle of a large quilt bunched up under the throat of the machine. Just choose your direction, and let the machine do the work!

I really enjoy the thread cutter, although I can live without it. And I love the 9mm decorative stitches, I use mine a lot. The 730 is very, very smooth and quiet.

I prefer the embroidery screen on the 630 over the 730's. No, it doesn't have as many features, but I simply love the way it's set up, very intuitive, very crystal clear!

I use both my machines for embroidery and both for quilting.

Have you "Tinkled" today?

vmckenna wrote:
Virginia, I've done a LOT of machine quilting for the last 16 years and I loved my old Bernina but when I tried the 630 with the BSR last September, I knew I had found my new favorite machine! It makes consistantly perfect stitches all the time, although I do recommend making the stitch length shorter when using the BSR to make it more responsive. (That's a tip from Libby Lehmann) I have another embroidery machine with the 9mm feed dogs, but really like the 5mm on the 630. Yes, it's a lot of money; Yes, I'm glad that I was able to get it; and No, I have not regretted it for one minute!

Yes, let's here from some 640 and 630 owners. I'd love to know what you think of these machines(and I am looking at the embroidery models with the BSR). I know one difference is the 5.5mm vw 9mm stitch. Thanks! Elizabeth

Kmouse,
You are right, I can always upgrade. And because this is my first embroidery machine, I think I will like it either way cause it will be so new to me! I am still investigating and appreciate your input! Elizabeth

You will love the 640 with software. If you want to do any basic editing and personalizing designs, you need software and Ed Plus will take you a long way. It also has AutoDigitizing for turning basic pics to stitches (there are some limits to this but you can at least get started).

The 640 is a wonderful machine and, while I love my 200/730, I would jump at the software. you can always upgrade software if you wish (for that matter, the sm as well) but this is a great way to get stitching right away.

FYI, Editor Lite comes with the Auroras because they require the SM to use the pc to embroider. (( I LOVE the Anniversary Edition))

The 630 & 640 has a memory in the module itself so you can use the USB stick to transfer designs as well as a direct pc connect with your machine.

Have fun!

Thanks for the reply. I would have to pay for the software on the 730E demo so that would be another expense. As I compare, I see there aren't that many differences. I am researching the website too. And I am getting excited! Elizabeth

I haven't used the 640, but it seems to me that if you can get the 730 for the same price, why not do it. On Bernina's web site, there is a place that you can compare models and see all the features. I have the 730 and love it - my DH bought the demo model and I've never had a problem. One thing I love about the 730 is that you can save your designs on a USB stick and you don't have to hook the machine up directly to your computer. I'm not sure if the 640 can do that. I have the Designer Plus software.

I would like to get a new machine with BSR, so I have been checking them out and after reading some of the comments here I have decided to go ahead a bite the bullet and get the embroidery stuff too(even tho I haven't ever really thought I needed that). I am considering the 640E with the BSR and Enhanced EditorPlus software. Do you guys think I would be happy with that instead of the 730E. The price for the 640E new with BSR and software is about what I would pay for a 730E demo.
I don't think I can go wrong, but I just thought I'd check in here! Thanks,
Elizabeth

Margo wrote: Agree Margo. If you want to do free motion quilting a straight stitch throat plate is a must have. I did buy one for my sewing machine and the improvement is greate!! And you get the back of your quilt looking just as greate as the front!

Margo, you took the words right out of my mouth I always use the straight stitch plate on my 730 (7mm machine) when I am piecing a quilt. It works great! And I love the wider 7mm decorative stitches, compared to the 5mm.

If you are expecting to be doing a lot of quilting I highly recommend purchasing a straight stitch throat plate. It has single hole for the needle to go through rather than the slot for zig-zag stitches. Because the thread always feeds straight down to the bobbin you will get better tension and no skipped stitches when you do free motion work!
Margo

fatzaz wrote:
Thanks. The more I've researched, the more I think you are right. I am leaning toward the 5 mm. And, I am in awe of the foot called the jeans foot. I watched a video at the Bernina site and it went over the seam and didn't even have a hiccup. Wow... even my 1950 Pfaff all metal, don't try to lift me without assistance, machine won't do that! LOL

Ladyquilter,
You may want to test drive a 440 and compare it to the Anniversary model if you don't think you want to embroider. I have a 185 with a 9mm and a 440 with a 5mm, and it seems as though the smaller stich plate is more precise than the larger.

If you are thinking about purchasing now, consider that Bernina is running a super sale from the 31st of January to the 4th of February - good deals on financing and a lot of dealers have machine discounts as well.

Have fun - my Bernina's are the best thing I ever did for my quilting habit!