Test Drive:
Bernina Artista 730E

MSRP $7999
berninausa.com
Reviewer: Diane Harris

It was so easy to become friends with Bernina's artista 730E. I had wondered if a machine of this caliber would be intimidating–the artista 730E boasts some of the most advanced sewing and embroidery technology available, but I had no trouble using it. I read the manual; at the same time, the machine made sense to me and I found my intuition guiding me successfully.

The first thing I noticed was the 730E's user-friendliness. The large touch-screen is well placed and tells you clearly everything you need to know. I love the way stitch adjustments are shown onscreen, and an infinite number are possible on everything from basic stitches to complex embroidery designs. If you make buttonholes, you'll like onscreen measuring–just hold the button to the screen and adjust accordingly. It couldn't be easier.

Two indispensable features: onscreen tutorials in everyday language and the Creative Consultant–like having a sewing friend at your side who asks what your task is and then makes recommendations on everything from the presser foot to the stabilizer. The Creative Consultant can be opened at any time without disturbing your work. Both features direct you to further help if you need it.

By this time my friendship with the 730E was getting serious. Time for bigger things. Enter the Bernina Stitch Regulator: an electronic sensor that "sees" the fabric movement during free-motion work and controls the stitch length. Since its debut, the BSR has been the buzz among quilters. I was anxious to try it and I was not disappointed. My free-motion stitches are okay, but the BSR polished things up and made me look like a pro. I wish I'd had it when I was first learning free-motion quilting.

I moved to machine embroidery next. You can connect to a PC or use the built-in USB port or card slot to import designs, but more than 100 embroidery designs come with the 730E, as well as embroidery editing software. The machine's performance was flawless. My embroidery was perfect on the first try.

I took one surprise away from my time with the 730E: extraordinary inspiration. As I realized what this machine could do, the ideas started flowing and they haven't stopped. The longer I play, the more features I find. The artista 730E will take you to creative places you've not yet imagined.

Make our Test Drive pillow! Pattern available courtesy of Bernina.

Pillow designed and made by Jill Danklefsen with Bernina of America. Fabric: Benartex Inc. Thread: OESD. Embroidery included with Bernina artista 730E.

 By the Numbers

3 Embroidery hoops included: small, medium; large oval

9 Maximum stitch width in millimeters, the widest available

31 Quilting stitches, including 5 to imitate hand quilting

75+ Optional presser feet and other accessories

100+ Beautiful embroidery designs included

855 Total stitches; combinations ad infinitum

The machine's performance was flawless. My embroidery was perfect on the first try.

 Favorites

Securing Function. Automatically secures each end of a seam with tiny stitches when activated.

Bernina Stitch Regulator. Controls stitch length (straight or zigzag) during free-motion sewing.

Stitch #327. An adjustable stipple, great for quilting.

Presser Foot #57. A well-worth-it optional accessory: sews a precise 1/4" seam for perfect piecing.

The Test Drive article also appears in QUILTMAKER Jan/Feb '07 (No. 113). If you cannot find this issue at your local quilt shop, order back issues at VillageQuiltShoppe.com.