Comments on: Bernina 475 qe – Things to Consider Before You Buy

By: Neena Nandagopal

Neena Nandagopal — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:41:37 +0000

In reply to Racheal.

Hi Rachael,
I really enjoyed reading about your experience with the Bernina 475qe sewing machine. It certainly is a little work horse and I love it, too.
Thank you much for your kind words and I am so glad that you liked the review.

By: Racheal

Racheal — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:17:43 +0000

I’m reading this review retrospectively as I’ve been the proud owner of this machine (my ‘Nina’) for just over a year. I’ve had other machines but a Bernina was always top of my wish list. My darling partner was seriously ill last year, and after I’d nursed him better, he decided to buy me a new machine by way of saying thank you. I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful stockist nearby, which also sells amazing fabrics, precuts and all the associated haberdashery, so off I went to try out a Bernina. I didn’t need much persuasion and after a little discussion, I got a walking foot and a few other accessories included in the price.

I have been blown away by what a beautiful machine the 475qe is. Using it for the first time was so intuitive, even if some features, such as the jumbo bobbin, were new to me. I jumped straight in and made a jelly roll race quilt, it wasn’t great but I was hooked and it was just the first of many quilts I’ve made since. I know if something goes wrong it’ll be my fault, not Nina’s. She’s a strong, reliable work horse and never lets me down.

Like you, I only looked at this series, as the price was an important factor, but I really don’t feel limited by the size, functions and features of the machine. In fact, I’ve just finished quilting a queen size quilt, even if it was a bit of a squash and a squeeze at times. It’s pretty basic quilting but I’m happy with it. I really love the walking foot, and the quarter inch foot makes piecing a doddle.

Thank you for your honest review, and to other commenters for the things they’ve said. Happy sewing for many years to come to all of us!

By: Patricia A

Patricia A — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 01:26:04 +0000

Your article was very good and explained things from the perspective of a big box machine to a dealer only brand. I just purchased a Bernina 475, Kaffe Fasset edition…that was signed by Kaffe. So, I may be “fan girling” a bit, but I’m coming from the perspective of my “daily driver” being a Babylock Altair. I was first attracted to the 475 Kaffe edition because, let’s face it…I absolutely adore Kaffe and Brandon. They are so down to Earth and the collective creates stunning fabrics. The 475 Kaffe edition is also mint green with the paper weight design. Who wouldn’t love that? It also includes 30 decorative stitches, created by Kaffe. I knew going into this, it was a 5mm stitch and short throat. I wanted a lightweight machine to take to classes, travel with (elderly parents…500+ miles away from my home and at 8 hrs away, I’m the closest immediate family…my brother is 14 hrs away). For the back story of my machine…I bought a very basic Brother 30+ yrs ago. It still works, but I’ve never been happy with the stitch quality. I breached the dealer only market with a Babylock Accord. It was a very nice machine, but I outgrew it quickly. I upgraded to a Babylock Ellisimo Gold 2, and out grew it. I currently own a Babylock Altair. The Solaris Vision…darn that machine, flirts with me every time I’m in my LQS. To make matters worse, I went to a class at my LQS and was paired with the SV. I’m holding firm…I’m committed to my Altair. I love to do machine embroidery, but I also love to piece, FMQ, do ruler work…and when my Altair is tied up with an embroidery project…I get antsy. I clean my space, reorganize, cut for the next project…but, I really want to SEW. So, I was minding my own business, drinking coffee, reading the paper…doing Wordle…and my hubby said, “Isn’t Kaffe Fassett a fabric designer you like?” I was puzzled, but answered, “Yes. Why?” He told me about 2 events KF was going to do in NC…1 of which was less than 2 hrs away. He talked me into a weekend trip, that included me attending the event. I totally “fan girled” at the book signing after the lecture. Yes, I’m no longer a “girl” by a long shot, but I did it anyhow. I saw the 2 Kaffe edition machines and just about swooned. I behaved…ok, I sort of behaved…I left with a very large, heavy shopping bag with 2 entire quilt kits, fat quarters, 1 yd cuts, thread…and couldn’t get those machines out of my head. I researched Bernina…I’d heard the name, but never sewed on one or saw one outside the KF lecture. I’d dearly love the embroidery machine, but could not justify the purchase. The main reason I was drooling over the embroidery machine was the KFC embroidery files loaded on the machine. But, my rationale was blown out of the water with that machine. It was just about as heavy as my machine and the embroidery field max was a bit smaller than my Altair. After researching both machines, I decided to go with the super adorable 475. I drove 1 1/2 hrs to the quilt shop to test drive this machine. I took a few of my frequently used 1/4(high shank) rulers with me. The stitching was perfect. The bobbin is HUGE! Needless to say, I drove home, in the company of this beautiful, lightweight, mint green, little gem. I unboxed it, got it settled into my sewing room, made several quilt sandwiches and played. Oh, I failed to mention I purchased the ruler foot at the same time I bought the machine. It comes with all the basic feet…so, I’m set there. The ruler quilting was beautiful. Stitch length, without the regulator, was more consistent than my usual work. So, all of that said, as an entry level machine or as a second or travel machine, I think it’s a great choice. The only downsides I see are, it takes different feet and bobbins than my Altair. It is a front load bobbin, and I thought I’d hate that, but for FMQ…it’s kind of great. I think you just need to really think about how you want to use your machine. Will you only sew at home, in a permanent spot…go as big as you can afford. If you plan to travel, take classes, have no interest in quilting large projects, this is a great machine. Feet are expensive, when compared to snap on feet, but it came with every foot I consistently use, other than the ruler foot. Plus, I do have my Altair, with a full stable of snap on feet, if I need something specific. All of this explained, I didn’t understand having more than 1 machine until I retired and had time to sew. If the 475 hadn’t been a Kaffe design AND signed, I’d have gone with an entry level Babylock. The main reasoning for that is, I have all the feet and the learning curve would be minimal. I had a brief “tour” of the 475 today, brought it home, threaded it, wound a bobbin, did ruler work…it’s pretty intuitive if you have been sewing for any length of time. I know this is lengthy, but for persons in my stage of life, I hope it lends a perspective into a full function, lightweight, machine.

By: Mary Saw

Mary Saw — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:59:12 +0000

Thank you for your journey and thoughts in purchasing the Bernina 475QE. I too am looking at it and watched several videos on Youtube with Cody and he recommended I buy a 535 instead. I already own a Janome 9 mm machine and its great but in piecing it can eat the fabric very quickly. Bernina should include things like a walking foot, 1/4 inch foot on some of these machines but that being said I have put my research on hold and noticed they are discounting some of the machines at Bernina.com which is great. I want a reliable machine not one I have to take for service frequently. It is expensive to do that. Thank you again great review and suggestions.

By: Christina de Jong

Christina de Jong — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:24:50 +0000

In reply to Anne Thevenot.

I love your comment, explanation, as I am after years deciding to buy myself a good sewing machine, and one of the things I love is getting better at making my quilt(s).
You could not have given me a better idea about the 475Q, as I am in that stage thinking/buying a Bernina 475Q, but with your perfect description of this machine, I will look further. I am not in the financial circumstances to swap or add another machine. THANK YOU!!
Christine de Jong, Greece

By: Anne Thevenot

Anne Thevenot — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 20:31:55 +0000

I have been teaching with and using Bernina machines for my personal sewing machine for the past 30 years. Great machines. The 5.5mm width Bernina machines do not need the dual feed because the feed dogs are fairly close together. When a machine gets a larger stitch width, 7mm or 9mm, you really do need the dual feed or your stitching will be compromised on the more difficult fabrics. The Bernina walking foot #50 is by far the best on the market if you need further help on sewing fur or with quilting lofty projects. I presently have a Bernina 475 and a Bernina 790+, in addition to Bernina 1090s and 1260s in the sewing studios. I have tried other brands of machines, but nothing is more reliable or works as smoothly or stitches as well as the Bernina machines. A real workhorse in a studio with constant use by differently skilled sewists.

By: Karen Hayes

Karen Hayes — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:27:46 +0000

I purchased the 880 a few years back. It’s phenomenal! It has so much more than I thought I needed. Purchased mine from a dealer going out of business and got thousands off. New dealer I found has a July sale every year, accessories 40% off. I now have all the accessories. Getting ready for retirement.

By: Jennya

Jennya — Sun, 30 May 2021 16:48:11 +0000

I also bought a 475QE! I so wish that I had seen your article before I did! The year that the 475 QE came out, there were no reviews. Because I am a beginner, the 475QE turned out to be the perfect machine. I wish I had the 800 series but since I needed to buy all sewing tools from scratch, I needed the extra money that buying a 475 QE allowed me to have. I loved buying professional tailor scissors, etc.

By: Neena Nandagopal

Neena Nandagopal — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:43:10 +0000

In reply to Beth.

Hi Beth,
Thank you – happy to help!

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:23:56 +0000

I am a quilter and need to upgrade. I started looking today and from the brands I checked out the Bernini is a winner. I’ve zeroed in on the 475 but will consider your suggestions before I take the plunge!

By: Neena Nandagopal

Neena Nandagopal — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 23:12:03 +0000

In reply to Kelly. Hi Kelly, I am so glad this article helped you! Thank you so much for letting me know. :-)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 17:11:12 +0000

My Mom & I are each looking to purchase a new, long term machine. I would like to start quilting more as well so this review was invaluable. Great considerations, Thank you!