Agree. I certainly would consider the Pfaff, too. I love my 12 year old Pfaff and what is absolutely wonderful on this machine is the dual foot. I love my Bernina 440QE also, but miss the dual foot on this machine. Here I have the kneelift and the needle up/down control in the foot control and that is invaluable, too. Some time ago I learned that the newer Pfaff will hover the presser foot over the item when you have it in needle down position. That would help not to miss the kneelift to much.
Life is not easy with so many things to choose from and wanting them all in one machine

Yep I am sorry to learn the new series 500 do not have a bigger harp space for those of us who have no intentions of buying the 800 series, have always bought Bernina but would now choose a Pfaff which has the biger space and "in built dual feed", I would have thought this would have been standard on these new machines.

I'm sure that the mid-range larger harp space Bernina will come. I may think a little with a commercial hat on here, but once the sales of the 820/830 start dipping, we'll get that machine. Everybody has to decide themselves if they want to wait that long.

About harp space in gerneral, and specifically my little Bernina Activa 220: I have to keep reminding myself that it has this lovely function of sewing in a straight line, but in the opposite direction, at the press of a buttom. It takes a little getting used to, but it means that I can have the bulk of a piece always on the side where there is lots of space.

Bernina USA website has just posted info on the new Bernina 500 series machines. Go to http://www.berninausa.com/product_overview-n2-sUS.html for details.

I agree. I think Bernina is missing a large audience by not making a large harp space middle of the line machine. MANY of my quilting friends were hoping for this. They do not want a complete TOL machine (like the 820/830) but want a good Bernina middle of the road machine with extra harp space. Pretty please Bernina??? Please.

I had the chance to play with the new Bernina 550 for three hours at Festival of quilts yesterday. First impression: Seriously lovely machine. I did wonder briefly if it would fit in my tote bag......... Anybody who is considering spending a wad of cash on a new machine should go and try it out before buying any other machine. This one may be just right for you!

Just one little moan: I am disappointed that this brand-new series still has the small harp space. I'm sure that from Bernina's point of view it means that the 500 series does not compete with the 800 series. Unfortunately I'm not 'Mrs. Bernina' and can influence their decisions, and it's also unlikely that I'm going to win the lottery or that Mr. Trump wsill propose to me. So the 800 series stays out of reach.

One final thought: Before you hand over your cash, read the specs very carefully so that you know what is included and what is an optional extra with these three new machines. This could change the price quite considerably.

But definitely go and try out a 530, 550QE, or 580E. The retail prices during Festival of quilts here in the UK are £1295.00, £1750.00, and £2995.00. The 580 includes an embroidery module in the price. My past experience is that you don't pay quite as much for sewing machines in the US than we pay for them in the UK.

Hello People,

I've found a link to a .pdf which lists the specs for the new Bernina 5 series.

Enjoy!

http://www.itsastitchonline.com/misc_files/BERNINA580Machine.pdf

What you have to do with it is to let it load, choose page 2, then go back to page 1 for the charts.

Great info! Thanks for the link!

What I've learned from the Bernina yahoo groups and Pattern Review is that only the 580 with have embroidery. It's a 9mm machine. The 530 and 550QE are 5.5mm machines without embroidery capabilities. The 430, 440, and 640 are to be discontinued.

Here's a link to a Bernina dealer's blog: http://www.lovingstitches.net/weblog/

Marsha, can you share an Internet link with info?? I can't find anything.

I have just seen pictures of the new 50 series and read the descriptions. Wow! How am I going to justify another machine? Can't wait to see them for real.