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Bernina Aurora 440 QE: What’s in the box?
The box. Brown, cardboard, heavy.
The first thing you see when you pop it open: Instruction manuals, brochures, the knee lifter, a DVD (that I still haven’t watched) and various other warranty info and such.
Oh-so-cute little Bernina all tucked away in there! On all sides are various accessories: at the top of the pic is the dark blue carrying bag; just in front of the carrying bag is the accessory cabinet attached to the machine; to the right is the walking foot in its box, plus the foot pedal. In front (bottom) is the clear plastic extension table and a baggie of feet and various other stuff.
Here’s everything unpacked onto my kitchen table. Anyone know what that random plastic thing in the middle is (above the extension tray)? I haven’t bothered to look that up yet. But, roughly clockwise from the top left: Accessory cabinet; knee lifter; Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR)box; walking foot box; oil; foot pedal; extension table; power cord; screwdriver, cleaning brush, seam ripper; “hump jumper” plastic thingy; four metal bobbins, allen wrench; thread spool caps; other included presser feet.
I love stuff like this – a handy cord wrapper on the bottom of the foot pedal. Down with messy wires!
A closeup of the presser feet. From left to right: #1 -reverse pattern foot (a.k.a. the normal, regular ol’ foot), #3a – buttonhole foot with slide, #4 – zipper foot, #5 – blindstitch foot, #20 – open embroidery foot, #37 – patchwork foot, #9 – darning foot. Next to the darning foot is some metal thing that I don’t know what to do with yet (thoughts, anyone?). I have a class the week after this one with the salesperson at the store I bought it from that will hopefully enlighten me a bit!
A very pretty box, which contains the BSR attachment.
The inside of said box. Very cute! The BSR has three feet. One is already attached to the BSR – the closed toe freemotion foot. The one on the left is the open-toe freemotion foot, and the one on the left is the transparent foot with crosshairs.
The box for the walking foot included with the machine. My first walking foot ever! I just read that this baby goes for $125. I had no idea they were so expensive!
The walking foot plus additional things that I will learn about at some point. More of those mysterious curvy metal things enclosed here, which is a clue!
The blue canvas bag that will eventually store the machine, accessory cabinet, pedal, and extension table.
The machine! In all its glory! This puppy is heavy and sturdy…
Finally, stuff I got the dealer to give me for free during my price negotiation. The plastic things are shelves for the accessory cabinet. The bobbins are insanely expensive – 12 for 20 bucks, so I had them throw in two packs of them for me. I have another presser foot on the way, too – the teflon foot, so I can go sewing some oilcloth. I also asked the dealer for some nicer thread, too. I think most of that is Mettler and the purple one is Isocord.
Now that I have a machine capable of embroidery stitches, I’ll have to go learning about thread. Anyone know any good primers or articles on what kinds of thread are good? What do you use?
And there you have it, folks. The contents of the Bernina box! I’ve been experimenting on the machine slowly but surely, getting to know the awesomeness of this machine, and I will have more to report soon!
Posted by robyn on June 22nd, 2008 under bernina 440 qe, crafts, sewing, sewing machines
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 am
Congrats on your new arrival!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
I really enjoyed unpacking the box with you!
I think you guessed what the curvy-metal-things were when more of them turned up in the walking foot box – they are guides to help sew parallel lines of stitching. Several of the feet, including the zipper foot, have a hole at the back that the straight bit of the curvy-metal-thing will fit into.
breezilys last blog post..The end of the beginning
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
@breezily:
Thanks, Breezily! I will have to try the walking foot guides tonight. I can’t quite picture how they will help, but I’m sure they will come in handy. I can use all the help I can get sewing straight and parallel lines!
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Wow. I’m scared of this thing.
I do, however, feel that I am ready to try out a “hump jumper.”
melindas last blog post..The muppets give Manhattan back
June 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Yeah I thought quilting bars (those curvy metal things) were useless at first, but I was using them when quilting my mixer cover and WOW, they are useful! It’s helpful when sewing parallel lines that are the same distance apart…
Kristines last blog post..Custom KitchenAid Mixer Cover
June 28th, 2008 at 7:50 am
@Kristine:
By the way, I saw your Mixer Cover and it is *lovely!* Glad to hear the quilting bars will come in handy. I still haven’t had a chance to try them yet. Soon, though!
July 8th, 2008 at 10:33 am
[…] week I made the first real item made on my new Bernina machine. It’s a Frenchy handbag, the smaller version of the other one I made not long ago. I was […]
July 9th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Enjoy! If you keep a watch for sales at Nancy’s Notions, you can snag a great deal on bobbins for your machine. Of course, you scored extras already.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I too have this machine and my all-time favorite foot is the 34c. It is clear plastic with red lines marked on it and it really lets you see what you are doing and line things up especially for stitching in the ditch
July 10th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Oh my! That’s like sewing machine porn… Whew I have to go and sit down. 🙂
Lisa Lams last blog post..Salad days by the sea
July 10th, 2008 at 6:19 am
@Anne Carpenter:
Thanks for the tip, Anne! I hadn’t heard of that store before you mentioned it. I think I will have to become a scavenger of discounted Bernina items now that I have the machine. My wallet is remarkably lighter… 🙂
July 10th, 2008 at 6:39 am
@sandra:
You know, Sandra, that foot seems to be just what I need. I find the standard number 1 foot is great, but I miss the open-toe that my Pfaff standard foot had. I feel like I can’t see everything I need to! For stitching in the ditch, I found that the blind hem foot works great, because it’s got that rudder in the middle that you can put in the ditch while you sew.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:42 am
@Lisa Lam:
No, no… *This* is sewing machine porn http://www.pfaff.com/mediafiles/performance_2058/performance_2058_en.asp I got a kick out of this intro video when I was looking at Pfaffs. The music, the videography with the thrusting IDT… Eek! 🙂
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I chatted up the Bernina lady yesterday at the fair and had my first experience with the BSR. OMG. If I have to beg, borrow and steal, I have to have this machine.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
@ Susanna Valentino:
The BSR is pretty awesome. I haven’t used it yet for a real project (just testing and playing so far!) but when I do, I will blog about it in depth. It’s pretty amazing!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Today is my birthday and my dh said I can have whatever machine I want. He is going to be shocked. He really has NO IDEA how much these babies cost. I want THIS ONE. Could you come negotiate with me, so I get bobbins and thread and accesory shelves??? Please??
July 29th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
@ CJ:
Ha! It reminds me of when my mom said I could get a new sleepingbag for Christmas when I was a teenager. Little did she know that I wanted a really high-end synthetic down mummy bag and was a bit surprised when we ended up at REI. Oops… should have prewarned her about that one! I hope your husband appreciates how happy this machine will make you!
Before you go, have in mind 3 or 4 presser feet /threads / etc.you’d like to get thrown in to sweeten the deal. It pays to be prepared! I didn’t really know which I would need except the teflon foot (for sewing oilcloth), and should have asked for more. Instead, I ended up with 60 bucks worth of bobbins (!) Don’t be shy and know what you want beforehand!
Oh, and Happy Birthday!!
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
[…] it looks like we’ll need a machine. Check! Got that one […]
August 21st, 2008 at 10:21 am
Thank you, thank you !!! for posting pics of “what’s in the box”. I’m re-packing my 730e to sell it, and was pretty much confounded as to how it looked 6 months ago when I took it out of the box! Your 440 pics are sooooo helpful. Anyone interested in a new 730e? I just have too many machines going and don’t want to learn another set of software! Lazy, I guess.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I use the Isacord thread which I buy at http://www.sewforless.com , the Mettler if I find it on sale, and good old Coats & Clark that I buy at JoAnn’s during their half price sales. Tho’ I’ve only had my 730e for a short time, I love the BSR. That probably hails back to my longarming days (sigh).
September 17th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Great review and photos! Thanks so much!
October 21st, 2008 at 3:12 am
Hi, Robyn!
I just want to say that I really enjoyed your posts on yr new machine that made me actually went out to pick up mine earlier this morning. I had a lesson on setting up the sewing computer, BSR etc. I was really excited because what I saw on your blog was exactly the same adventure I had today. Thank you.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
I have one of these babies on lay by right now and am itching to get it home. I am putting my bet on the funny plastic thing pictured above your extension table as a sliding seam gauge that can be put one either side of the needle and slid along the extension tray for sewing wide seam allowances-wider than the markings on the stitch plate. Check out your manual under seam allowance or seam guides and I wouldn’t be surprised if that is what it is for! Hopefully in a few weeks I will be able to find out for myself when I open up my own Bernina box!
September 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Great post! I am seriously considering this machine, and am curious about how you negotiated – I thought you just paid the price they told you! Mine would be on sale for $2,699. Any negotiating tips, i.e. asking for extras, etc. most appreciated!
September 19th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Chris,
That’s already a pretty decent price, so you may not be able to go much lower, but all you have to do is ask! They will tell you that Bernina has price guidelines, but what they won’t tell you is that to stay a dealer, they probably also have sales quotas (much like cars) and so they need to sell! Go in knowing a price you want. Start lower than that, and get to your price. If they won’t budge, ask them to throw in accessories. Most important is to know what you want BEFORE you begin the negotiation. The heat of the moment isn’t the time to think about that. Good luck!
December 6th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Aloha Robyn,
Did you get the embroidery module too? My husband got it for me when he bought the 440 QE for me. I still have yet to take it out of the box! I would love a tutorial on that too!
Mahalo and happy sewing.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for visiting my blog and left some messages. Just want to take this chance to thank you for posting all the related articles about Bernina, about sewing, and your experiences. I had so many choices when I did research for upgrading my 20-year-old sewing machine. But your information and the final products on Etsy made me fall in love with Bernina immediately. I bought 440QE and enjoyed it quite well. Although I upgraded to 730e 10 weeks later for more functions, I still like 440QE a lot. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if you notice, my “730e What’s in the box?” is inspired by your “440QE What’s in the box”. Thanks again! and Happy Holidays!
.-= Marguerite´s last blog ..Bernina花盤對照表 =-.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Are you selling your beloved Bernina Aurora 440? I see what looks to be your photos that you’ve posted here on e-bay.
Just curious.
Ann
December 28th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Ann – I’m definitely not selling my Bernina! I didn’t spot the pics on eBay, though totally possible that someone either took similar pictures, or snagged them from here. Hopefully they took their own! Either way, my Bernina is staying put for the time being!!
December 28th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Hi Marguerite, I’m so glad my blog could help you decide on a machine! I’m jealous of your 730 and will live vicariously through pictures on your blog 🙂 What were the features that made you upgrade?
November 18th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I got this Bernina 440 QE but the store where I bought it did not give me anything free. My husband doesnt know how to negotiate and probably my enthusiasm didn’t help me either because the store owner and the sales associate know I would buy it no matter what. But of course I love the machine
November 18th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Bernie, as long as you love the machine, that’s all that matters!! No regrets about negotiations. Just enjoy the lovely sewing that you get to do now. Congrats on your purchase! -Robyn
February 12th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I just purchased the 440 QE today. Opened everything up, tried to thread the machine and am confused as how to do it. Any tricks on the automatic threader?
August 15th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Dear Robyn, thank you for your Bernina hints and tips I use them a lot. I have gone back to – ‘what’s in the box?’ a number of times- everytime my machine leaves home for a service or when we move. We have moved twice so far and I always know how to pack my machine back into it’s box courtesy of your site. Many thanks again. cheers Denise
September 4th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Robyn — when I try to embroidery on my Bernina Aurora 440QE I always have the problem that it thinks the top thread is broken when it is not. Is there something I am doing wrong or do I need to take my machine in for repair?
December 1st, 2014 at 3:31 pm
What’s the plastic thing above the extension table in the fourth picture? I got that one with my machine,and when I took it in for service last time, I got a new one. I have always wondered what that was…
I have looked at your web site many times over the years…and really like your helpful hints!
December 1st, 2014 at 6:40 pm
Hi Ruth! The plastic thing behind the tray slides on to your tray and helps you sew a straight line. It serves as an edge to lean your fabric up against as you sew. Really handy if your fabric goes out beyond the 1/4″, 1/2″, 5/8″ etc. markers on your throat plate. I use it every time I sew. And thanks for reading 🙂