This is a big investment, just take your time! Judy in Torrance

The best time to buy is when you feel great about it! You'll know when that is! Have fun, Jan! Mary Kay

Thank you everyone, you've really helped. My decision.... I'm not sure.
I've decided to try and work a little more on some design work I'd love to do and make the decision when I'm ready rather than when someone is trying to offer me a deal.
I can see a 640 in my future sometime but will continue to love my 153 - with new powerboard (expensive repair!)
See you elsewhere on TQS
Jan

Thanks, Judy! I will try to check that out tomorrow when I get to play in my quilt room! Mary Kay

I just tried to find my information. What I found that worked best was to right click on the Bernina_PDS. Then then click on properties....a window pops up that should have a graph of your USB stick. I hope this helps. Mine has 244 MB.

mknavy90 wrote:
You can check your space using the computer. If you plug in your USB stick and click on "my computer" then click on the USB stick it should give you the information. I believe that there is a lot of space on that little stick.

I have the 153QE(which I love) and I bought the 640E in June for the BSR and embroidery. I am having a ball with it, and can't say I am totally comfortable with the BSR or the embroidery yet, but they are user friendly and I just need to go to a couple more of my classes at my dealer. Even without the classes, I have been doing fine with just the book and internet and my friend's help. The 9mm has been no problem for me to achieve the 1/4 inch seam and I don't have a special plate for it. (That is the one thing about the dealer classes, they do try to sell you more stuff.) I also kept my 153QE, which is great when you want to sew and embroider.
Enjoy, Elizabeth

I have had the 630 for a year now and love it, in the scenario offered I would definitely buy the 640. You can't expand your horizons if you don't have the tools, you may not use the embroidery now, but who knows what avenues it will open up for you? If you want to get an accurate 1/4 inch though, you will probably need to buy a straight stitch plate for the 640 as the wider stitch width and throat plate can cause difficulties. Alex gave this hint in the latest program, but I've been told this before as well.

As to which machine to buy I go with the biggest best that I can afford because I do not know what the future will need.

I use to clothing sew but now I quilt... I hated embroidery and home dec until I had a grand baby and sewed the layette and decorate his jumpers, pjs, sweats and other pieces of clothing.

I kept my original machine that had all the bells and whistles I could get and am just now salivating over BSR. I wish all the machines had it.

I wish you good luck with whatever you pick... but I am with TIM ALLEN... MORE POWER!

Margo wrote:
Great idea , Margo. Thanks! I will give that I try next time I am using the BSR.

Mary Kay

dogquilter wrote:
That reminds me of a question that I have..... does anyone know how much space is on the USB stick? I am trying to ensure that I don't clutter it up and run out of space.

And a second question - can a generic USB stick be used if I do run out of space, or should only a USB stick purchased from Bernina be used?

Thanks!!!

last December I purchased the 640 after carefully weighing out all my options as well as my needs. I am extremely happy with my choice. I have found the USB stick to be very useful for imputing embroidery designs into the computer. I never realized how much I would use the embroidery feature until I started playing with different designs. It offers an entirely new avenue of sewing. Along with the vast assortment of stitches.

I find that reducing the stitch length on the machine makes the BSR ever so much more responsive to the movement of the fabric and makes the stitches much more uniform. This tip came from Libby Lehman at a Super Seminar!

Having just bought a 640 I would certainly go for that. I also have a 153 and what I really like about the 640 is the 9mm stitch width and all the other pattern combination/alteration options. As a long time free-motion quilter I took a while to get used to the BSR and still haven't decided whether I prefer foot pedal or no foot pedal . Go for it it sounds like a bargain.