Hi, Jan!

Although I can't comment on the 2 machines that you are looking at, I will share a little experience with the BSR.

I have a 730 that both my daughter (who is 14) and I use. I thought that the BSR would be a big help to me as I was learning to machine quilt. Surprisingly, I found the my movement of the quilt sandwich was not a steady enough motion to have the BSR function well. I got quite frustrated with it and have been doing free motion quilting on my most recent 2 quilts. Working on the free motion technique, I am finding that I am more comfortable "driving" with the foot pedal.

My daughter on the other hand, jumped into machine quilting a full year ahead of me and has only used the BSR. She has done her quilting on a few quilts with the BSR and really loves using it. (she also doesn't drive a car yet, so she isn't used to using a foot pedal for anything).

So, I just thought I would mention that we are both relatively new machine quilters and one loves the BSR (my daughter) and one (me) has found that I do better quilting without the BSR. Ultimately, I am glad that I have a machine with the BSR, as it did help both my daughter and I take "the quilting plunge" with a little more confidence!

Have fun figuring out what you want in your next machine! I always think that the journey is half the fun of getting to the destination!

Mary Kay

Since you mentioned that you are also sew garments and home dec, I would go big time for the 640. You would get the BSR and the 640 has a 9mm stitch max instead of 5.5mm on the 440. There is also some great features for regular sewing.

The buttonholes are really simple and beautiful and offer more options that the 440 does.

Stitches can be combined for really lovely "recipes" that are much easier to store in memory than in the 440 also.

Screen is in color and easier to read.

Also,even if you are not into embroidery (yet) the 640 will not require a PC to be up and running like the 440. You can buy a design, put it in the machine...add lettering and go. The 640 does not come with editing software but you will get a CD that allows you to take a design from your computer, send it to the USB stick and then take it to your machine and sew out. So even if you will not do much emb. it is pretty easy to do without learning the EC on PC that the 440 requires.

If you are getting this from a dealer, the Mastery Classes will make sure this "isn't too much machine".

Have fun!

I've been reading your great remarks and hope I can get some help from you all. I have a Bernina 153 QE which I have loved for 5 years but would really like the BSR. I know it won't do my machine quilting for me but it might help!
I was looking at the Aurora 440 ($2900 with BSR) but have been offered an Artista 640, 2 months old, full warrenty (from shop who originally supplied it) with BSR for $2500. I wonder if this is too much machine - I'm not really into the embroidery, I quilt and dressmake as well as make drapes etc. Of course size/weight is not an issue as I can use my 153 for classes/quilt group etc.
Does anyone have any thoughts about these two machines?
Thanks in advance.
Jan