The BERNINA Q20 Review-One Year Later

December 5, 2018
BERNINA Q20, Lori Kennedy Sewing Room
BERNINA Q20, Lori Kennedy Sewing Room
BERNINA Q20-table not extended

Good Morning, Quilters,

It’s that time of year…

We are purchasing presents for everyone on our list–maybe even for ourselves?

Like my daughters, Faye and Nora, wouldn’t it be fun to start out the 2019 with a new sewing machine?

THE BERNINA Q20–ONE YEAR REVIEW

It’s been more than a year since I purchased the BERNINA Q20 Sit-down, long arm quilting machine (Read my first Q20 post and reasons for purchasing it HERE.)

Many of YOU have been asking for an updated review…

BERNINA 150QE
One of my early machines–Still love my B150!

THE LONG ARM DILEMMA

For my entire quilting life, I have stitched on domestic sewing machines–in other words, all of my quilts were made on a tabletop machine with a small harp space.  I dreamed of more harp space and more table space…

But I didn’t want a long arm for three reasons:

  • I didn’t want to stand to stitch.  I love to sit and sew!
  • Long arm quilt machines are expensive.
  • Long arm frames take up more space than I can spare.

What I was looking for in a machine

  • Large harp space
  • Beautiful stitches
  • Easy to adjust tension
  • Reliability
  • Easy access to a dealer for help if needed
BERNINA Q20, Lori Kennedy Sewing Studio
BERNINA Q20-Opening the Table

BERNINA Q20 LOVE

After more than a year of stitching on the BERNINA Q20, I can honestly say:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this machine!

It is all of the above and more–pure sewing enjoyment.

The Q20 is intuitive to learn, requires minimal maintenance and has been completely reliable.  The stitches are beautiful.   The tension is easy to adjust for different thread weights and the harp and table space=heaven!

 

Q20 Lori Kennedy Studio

BUILT IN STITCH REGULATOR

Unlike domestic machines, the Q20 has a built-in stitch regulator with three different modes.  (Let’s save that for another day)  At first, I resisted the stitch regulator, because I never used one on my domestic machine, but now I use it regularly.

I especially like the stitch regulator when I’m dabbling with ruler work.

 

TABLE CHOICES

When I purchased my Q20, the beautiful cabinet/table was the only table option and was included in the price of the machine.  The table-which comes is several finish options (mine is white)- is 36 x 45 inches and comes with expandable inserts.  The expanded table is 36 x 77″.    (I keep my machine in the expanded position.)

Nora, Beginning Machine Quilting
Q20-Table expanded

Currently, the Q20 is still offered with the original table, OR you have the option of a foldable table at a lower price point.

BERNINA Q20 foldable table
via BERNINA.com

USER ERROR

The only problem I have encountered is from inserting my bobbin backwards. The machine stitches for about twenty seconds and then the thread breaks.  For some reason, my tendency is to insert it wrong.  The BERNINA logo should be visible and it should rotate clockwise.

ONE SMALL DOWNSIDE

The one downside to the Q20-it doesn’t have the automatic thread cutter to cut the top and bobbin thread with the push of the button. This feature is available on the BERNINA 770QE, so I was surprised it was not available on the Q20.

(I believe it was not possible because of engineering requirements of the built-in stitch regulator.)

You must pull the quilt out and cut your own threads…

Do I sound lazy? LOL!

Q20 Lori Kennedy Studio
Q20-No Feed Dogs

NOT A SEWING MACHINE

You might wonder…could you buy a Q20 instead of a sewing machine?

The Q20 is a quilting machine… not a sewing machine.  It does not have feed-dogs which are necessary for normal sewing.

The Q20 does not replace a regular sewing machine.

CONVERSION TO A LONG ARM on a FRAME

The Q20 is a long arm quilting machine.  I love that I can use it as a sit-down machine…

However, the Q20 can be put on the BERNINA frame!

That was a great sales feature for me.  Choices!!  I’m not interested right now,  but I like having that option in the future!

Owl, machine quilting

BERNINA AMBASSADOR DISCLAIMER

As you may know, I am a BERNINA Ambassador.  Because of my work as a blogger, author and educator, I was honored to be invited to the official BERNINA Ambassador program.  This program allows me to attend BERNINA events, teach in BERNINA classrooms, and occasionally purchase BERNINA products for a slight discount.

I do not receive any reimbursement for writing about BERNINA.

This review is purely informational and I hope it is helpful.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE Q20

Overall, I can unequivocally say that I LOVE the BERNINA Q20 Quilting Machine! It has a huge harp space, beautiful stitches, easy to adjust tension and is reliable–no servicing required at all!

THE NEXT LEVEL OF QUILTING

If you have been sewing on a domestic sewing machine, the BERNINA Q20 Sit Down Quilting Machine is a natural progression to the next level of quilting.  The extra space is liberating and the learning curve is less than an afternoon.

YOUR REVIEWS!

What about YOU?

Are YOU considering a sewing machine purchase?

Are YOU considering a quilting machine purchase?

What are YOU looking for in a machine?

Do YOU have a Q20?

What do YOU think?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Happy Stitching!

Lori

#moreroom

#morequiltingfun

Proud to be a BERNINA Ambassador!!

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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