f Bernina and Viking Sewing Machine Shopping List - classic - activa - aurora - artista

Bernina and Viking Sewing Machines - Shopping List

classic - activa - aurora - artista - Designer

Welcome to my Bernina and Viking Shopping List!
  • I was in the market for a new sewing machine when I started this chart. When I shop, I like to know all the options, details, bells, whistles, etc., which means I spend lots of time researching. I thought I would share my work and save other shoppers some time.
  • I narrowed the brands of sewing machine I wanted down to Bernina or Viking. This website is a compilation of all the tidbits I have found in my research, lining up the options for side-by-side comparison.
  • If you find any errors, or have information you think should be added, feel free to drop me a line at jansjunk56@yahoo dot com

Caveats
  • This started as a Bernina shopping list. I ended up researching the Viking machines and have recently started updating this with the Designer Diamond machine. I ended up purchasing the Designer SE. My decision was made after doing what lots of experienced folks have advised...I took several fabric scraps to the stores and sewed on the machines. I liked the feel and sound of the Viking best. So far, I have no regrets!
  • My focus is on garment sewing, not embroidery, so I haven't focused on embroidery details.
  • This site is in no way associated with Bernina or Viking. It is just a compilation of my research notes...hopefully accurate, but please consult your Bernina or Viking dealer before making a purchasing decision.
  • Blank spaces and question marks mean I didn't find specific information about that machine. Two dashes "--" mean the information I found indicated that the machine does not have that feature.
Links to Content below Links I've found helpful
Bernina Viking
Functions classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top
1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Accessory Case Y opt opt Y Y Y Y Y Y 2 Y Y Y Y
Automatic Needle Threader -- Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Balance Function
Used to adjust the way a stitch looks which may be needed with different threads and fabrics. Used to be creative with the way a stitch looks too.
  ? knob knob knob Y Y Y Y Y        
BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) -- -- -- -- -- opt Y opt opt Y        
Continuous Reverse Quick
Reverse
  Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y   Y Y
Bernina CFL - Cool Flurescent Light
Viking E Light - Long life LED
-- opt opt opt Y Y Y Y Y Y     Y Y
Directional Quilting -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y        
Directional Straight Sewing -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y 4way
and 8way
optional 4way
and 8way
4way
and 8way
Directional Zigzag Sewing -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y        
More Functions classic activa aurora artista Viking
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Feed Dog Drop External
Dial
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y     Y Y
Feed Dog Sensor               Y Y Y        
FHS - Free Hand Sewing
The FHS is a knee-lever used to lower the feed dog and raise the presser foot without taking your hands off your fabric. Works well for pivoting your fabric and guiding it around curves.
-- -- opt opt Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
automatic when stop sewing - no lever
  Y
automatic when stop sewing - no lever
 
Long Stitch Function --   -- -- -- -- -- -- Y Y        
Long Term Memory ? ? 30
Spaces
30
Spaces
30
Spaces
60
Spaces
90
Spaces
Combi
Mode
Combi
Mode
Combi
Mode
15 9 My Files +
USB unlimited
My Files +
USB unlimited
Mirror Image - Right/Left -- ? -- -- Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Mirror Image - Up/Down -- ? -- -- -- -- Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
More Functions classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Motor Speeds   2 2 2 2 slide
control
slide
control
slide
control
slide
control
4 5 5 5 5
Needle Positions 5 9 9 9 9 11 11 11 11 11 25 25 29 29
Needle Stop Up/Down -- Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Needle Up/Down Foot Control -- opt opt opt opt Y Y Y Y Y Y   Y Y
More Functions classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Pattern Begin -- ? -- -- -- Y Y Y Y Y        
Pattern End -- ? -- Y Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Pattern Extend -- ? -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y        
Pattern Repeat Function -- ? -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y        
Carrying Case               Y Y   Y Y Y Y
Screen -- Mono
chrome
Mono
chrome
Mono
chrome
Mono
chrome
Mono
chrome
Mono
chrome
Color
Touch
Color
Touch
Color
Touch
Color
Touch
  Color
Touch
Color
Touch
Security Program
The Security Program keeps your Double, Triple and Wing needles safe by restricting the sideways motion of the needle.
    -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y     Y  
Specialty Needle Function -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y        
Start/Stop Button   opt opt opt opt     Y Y       Y  
More Functions classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Table opt ? Y Y   Y Y Y Y Y   Flatbed extension of accessory case    
Tension - Needle Thread Dial Dial Dial Dial Dial Dial Dial Dial Auto Auto Auto w/Override   Auto w/Override Auto
Thread Cutter - Automatic -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y   Y Y
USB Port               Y Y Y Y   Y Y
Miscellaneous Stuff classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top
1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Sewing Advisor
Viking - Automatically sets best stitch, width/length, tension, speed and presser foot setting. Override anytime.
                    Y   Y Y
Bobbin Stuff classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top
1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Bobbin Hook System
CB = oscillating
R = rotary
CB CB CB CB CB CB CB CB R R R R R R
Bobbin Thread Sensor                 Y Y Y   Y Y
Bobbin-Winding Motor - Separate               Y Y Y     Y Y
Button Stuff classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top
1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Button Sew-On Stitch --   Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y     Y Y
Buttonhole - Automatic -- -- -- Y Y Y Y Y         Y Y
Buttonhole - Handlook --   -- -- -- Y Y Y Y Y        
Buttonhole - Manual Y
6-step
  Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Buttonhole - Stretch Buttonhole --   -- -- Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Buttonhole Measurement - On Screen -- -- -- -- --     Y Y Y        
Buttonhole Memory -- -- -- Long
Term
Long
Term
Long
Term ?
Long
Term ?
Long
Term
Long
Term
Long
Term
       
Buttonholes - Total 1 1 2 3 5   7       15 +
3 eyelets
5 +
opt d-Carsd
16 +
3 eyelets
16 +
3 eyelets
Embroidery - Partial List classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430E 440QE 630E 640E 730E Designer I II SE Diamond
Spacer for freearm embroidery           opt opt opt opt Y        
Small Embroidery Hoop (72mm x 50mm)           opt opt opt opt Y        
Medium Embroidery Hoop (130mm x 100mm, 5 1/8" x 4")           opt opt opt Y Y       120 x 120 mm
Splendid Square
Large, Oval Embroidery Hoop (255mm x 145mm, 10" x 5.7")           Y Y Y Y Y       260 mm x 200 mm
Crown Hoop
Mega Hoop (150 mm x 400 mm)         not
available
not
available
not
available
opt opt opt       360 x 200 mm
Royal Hoop
Built-in Embroidery Designs               70 90 100     75+ on LE  
USB Connection               Yes Yes Yes       2 ports
USB Stick               opt opt Y       1 GB stick
Bernina Editor Lite Software
Add lettering, make color changes, use mirror-images. Five alphabets, 65 embroidery motiffs
            opt Y Y          
Presser Feet - Partial List classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Presser Foot Pressure Adjustable -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y Y Y Auto     Auto
Presser Feet and Type
One-piece foot is optional on 210 and 220
5
Snap-on
5
Snap-on
5
Snap-on
7
One-piece
7
One-piece
6 9 8 8 10       Snap-on
Viking Feet                           - Utility foot A
- Decorative stitch foot B
- Buttonhole foot C
- Blind hem foot D
- Zipper Foot E
- Non stick Glide foot H
- Edging Foot J
- Clear Open Toe foot transparent
- Piecing foot P
- Embr./Darning foot R
- Side motion foot S
- Sensor one-step buttonhole foot
Bernina Stitch Regulator with 3 Interchangeable Soles                   Y        
No. 1 Reverse Pattern Foot 5.5 mm
Also called the Standard Foot
Y         Y Y Y            
No. 1c Reverse Pattern Foot 9.0 mm
Also called the Standard Foot
                Y Y        
No. 2 Overlock Foot 5.5 mm Y         Y   Y            
No. 2a Overlock Foot 9.0 mm                 Y Y        
More Presser Feet classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
No. 3 Buttonhole Foot
Standard 5 mm buttonhole foot; works with any Bernina sewing machine. Comes in 1-piece and snap-on version.
Y   Y         Y            
No. 3a Automatic Buttonhole Foot with Slide
Combines the handy slide measuring system of Buttonhole Foot #3B with the electronic sensor of the older Automatic Buttonhole Feet #3A and #C.
      Y Y Y Y Y Y Y        
No. 3c Buttonhole Foot 9.0 mm
Standard 9 mm buttonhole foot; "C" indicates a "coded" foot with a light sensor that allows 9 mm wide stitching.
                Y Y        
More Presser Feet classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
No. 4 Zipper Foot Y         Y Y Y Y Y        
No. 5 Blindstitch Foot Y         Y Y Y Y Y        
No. 8 Jeans Foot                   Y        
No. 9 - Darning Foot           Y Y Y Y          
No. 18 Button-Sewing-On Foot                   Y        
No. 20 Open Embroidery Foot             Y Y            
No. 20c Open Embroidery Foot 9.0 mm                 Y Y        
No. 26 Teardrop Embroidery Foot               Y Y Y        
No. 37 Patchwork Foot             Y              
No. 40c Sideways-Motion Foot                   Y        
No. 42 BSR Foot             Y              
No. 50 Walking Foot             Y              
Stitch Related classic activa aurora artista Designer
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond
Number of Stitches
(including alphabets)
16 12 118 204 256   379 480 570 855 800+ 155
opt over 500
1000+ 1100+
Alphabet Styles -- -- 1 2 3 2 3 4(A/a) 5(A/a) 6(A/a)        
Stitch Counter -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y        
Stitch Memory - Temporary -- Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y       Smart
Save
Stitch Width - Max 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 5.5 mm 9 mm 9 mm 6 mm 6 mm    
Stitches - Partial List classic activa aurora artista Designer  
Top 1008 210 220 230PE 240 430 440QE 630 640 730 I II SE Diamond  
Stitch - Darning - Reinforced -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Y Y Y        
Stitch - Darning - Simple -- ? Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Stitch - Feather Stitch -- ? Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Stitch - Gathering Stitch -- ? Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Stitch - Quilters Securing Stitch
Several very short stitches at beginning and end of straight stitching
-- ? -- Y -- -- -- Y Y Y        
Stitch - Securing Stitch
Five straight stitches forward and back at beginning; five stitches backward and forward at end.
-- ? Y -- Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Securing Function
Several very short stitches at beginning/end of stitching; can be applied to decorative as well as straight stitches.
--   -- -- Y Y Y Y Y Y        
Stitch - Straight Stich Scallop --   -- -- -- Y Y Y Y Y        
Stitch - Super Stretch
Good for an open seam on all knit fabrics; works well for sportswear
-- ? Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y