This week was full of excitement... my BERNINA Q20 finally arrived! It came by transport on a massive 320‑lb skid stacked with boxes, and unboxing it felt like opening the world’s most luxurious quilting present.
Why I Chose the Sit‑Down Model
Since my home studio space is limited, I opted for the Q20 sit‑down model paired with a Koala cabinet designed specifically for this machine. Koala Studios builds fine sewing furniture, and this cabinet is both beautiful and incredibly sturdy.
My white cabinet handles the weight and speed of the Q20 with ease. I love the elegant rounded corners, the generous storage under the desk extensions, and the two built‑in magnetic cushions on each side of the bobbin area. Fully extended, the table measures 36" × 77", which fits perfectly in my Quilting / Photo Studio.
Features That Won Me Over
The Q20 is part of the BERNINA Q‑Series, designed, engineered, and assembled in Steckborn, Switzerland. The craftsmanship is truly impressive.
20" Throat Space + Stitch Regulation
The large 20" throat space gives me so much room to maneuver quilts. Even better, the machine includes two integrated stitch regulators with three BSR modes:
- BSR 1 – perfect for free‑motion quilting
- BSR 2 – ideal for ruler work
- BSR 3 – creates beautifully tensioned basting stitches
There’s also a manual mode, though I haven’t felt the need to use it yet.
Lighting That Makes a Difference
There are 50 bright LED lights along the top of the throat space. They illuminate the stitching area so well that I can’t imagine quilting without them. Good lighting is everything.
Extras That Came With My Machine
Along with the Q20, I received some lovely treats:
- Three large cones of 50‑wt thread
- A pack of five Class 5 bobbins
- A BERNINA tension gauge
- Replacement needles
- A beautifully organized toolbox filled with useful accessories
UPDATE — November 15, 2020
My longarm turned two this year, and I still love it just as much as the day it arrived. We moved across Canada a few months ago, and the Q20 handled the journey perfectly.
Because I saved the original box, it was easy to detach the machine from the table and pack it exactly as it came. The desk went with the movers (fully disassembled and wrapped). In hindsight, I wish I had taken it apart myself, because I didn’t realize they had separated every piece until it arrived in parts.
Thankfully, Koala Furniture includes a fantastic booklet with step‑by‑step photos, instructions, and all the tools you need (plus extras!). One of the screws arrived bent, but there were plenty of replacements in the tool bag. I rebuilt the entire desk myself, and it was surprisingly easy.
Stitch Count & Performance
I’ve lost track of how many quilting projects I’ve finished, but the machine keeps count for me - 3.2 million stitches in 2.5 years. That still amazes me.
What I Love Most About the Q20
- The threading path is simple and easy to reach, so changing colors is stress‑free.
- The semi‑automatic needle threader is quick and reliable.
- I can use regular domestic sewing machine needles, which are easy to insert and position.
- It even supports twin needles (though I haven’t tried them yet).
- The digital upper‑thread tension is easy to adjust... my stitches are consistently beautiful.
For thread, I almost always use Aurifil 50wt cotton in both the top and bobbin. My favorite needles are Superior Topstitch 80/12, which I use on both my domestic machine and the longarm.
Ruler Work & Recent Projects
I frequently quilt with rulers using the adjustable BERNINA 72 ruler foot, which I rarely switch out... even for free‑motion quilting. Here’s one of my recent projects, quilted with a mix of ruler work and free‑motion techniques: Tops The Triceratops, one of my own designs.
