Easy embroidery with a Bernina 440

How to embroider with a Bernina aurora 400 series machine. This includes the 430, 440, 440QE, and 450.

[@parafino080]

I haven’t used mine in 11 years so I needed this refresher ! Hope to make it work when I get home

[@ApolloGenX]

Thanks for the video! This really helps explain how to use the embroidery module. As a younger user of this machine, I greatly prefer using my laptop over using a subpar OEM machine "computer". It's like a "Print" button for embroidery!

[@glendahall1841]

ApolloGenX

[@deistudman2118]

Great video you are so good keep going

[@4URanch]

great video, thank you!

[@JoeKind1958]

Hi Jill, Normally the machine should just do a few quick stitches then stop. At this point you cut off the thread tail, hit start again and the machine will keep embroidering till the next color change or the end of the design. Assuming the machine has not run out of bobbin thread, you are not out of top thread, or you have not had a thread brake it should keep running. So there are basically two reasons why it would stop again before your design is finished. The first is that you have reached the point in the design where you need to change to the next color thread. With some embroidery designs it might only be a few stitches till you need to change colors. With each color change the machine will repeat the process I have listed above, where it will sew a few stitches and stop so you can cut off the extra piece of thread. This is so that thread tail does not get caught up in the design. Obviously the machine will stop when the design is finished. So color changes and stopping so you can cut off the extra thread tail are the normal reasons for the machine to stop during the embroidery process. So what else could make it stop? Your model has an upper thread sensor. If you're upper thread sensor is dirty, not functioning correctly, you have the machine threaded wrong, the upper thread has broken, or you are out of bobbin thread, these are conditions that will trigger the upper thread sensor and when that happens the machine will stop sewing or embroidering. I think in your case it is just stopping because your reach the point where the thread needs to be changed to the next color. What do you think?

[@lyncorrin]

Hi thanks so much for that video clip. I have a 440QE with a version 5. How do you download the free software to version 6?

[@Jill-hu6bv]

Thanks Joe. I'll have to give it a try. Fortunately, I have a teenage boy at home.. They know evertything about the computer! I'll let you know if it works.

[@Jill-hu6bv]

No luck. The program would only let me select the 800 series Bernina to stitch out the design. Not sure why. The software was installed via disc on my computer that was not connected to the internet. Doesn't make any sense.

[@mariesass5241]

8:59 5/2023. Still using my 440QE but not enough! Have to watch this every time but that’s ok

[@JoeKind1958]

Hi, Since Bernina makes several different software titles in each version, I can't really answer your question till I know what version 5 software you have. Example; you could have ARTLink v5, Editor Lite v5, Editor Plus v5 or Designer Plus v5. The free ARTLink v6 is very basic software. As far as creating designs or even adding lettering, you can't do that with the free software. Simply it's just for getting designs from your computer into your Bernina. Resizing a design is about the extend of manipulating an existing design. It is a good program for opening up and viewing embroidery files. I believe this program might convert other design formats into the proper format for the machine you have selected. That is what someone told me and I did not try any file format conversions myself so I don't know if that is true or not.

[@kathyquibell2269]

I am new to embroidery and have downloaded some ART format patterns and my machine won’t stitch them. Any help would be appreciated.

[@brysonwest93]

Very helpful! Thanks. I'll check out your ebay shop

[@JoeKind1958]

I stopped selling Berninas on ebay around the end of 2018. In short between eBay raising their final value fees for sellers on sold items ( eBay now gets over 12% of your gross sale) shipping costs and ever increasing PayPal fees, I could no longer make anything for all of my hard work.😞

[@Jill-hu6bv]

I know this is an older video, and Bernina no longer supports ARTLink 6. I have the software installed on an older Windows 7 computer that is not connected to the internet. Back in December I was able to "write to machine" the embroidery design I selected. Haven't turned on the computer or ceonneted the embroidery module since then. I revised my pattern and saved it. When I tried to start embroidering the box popped up to select the 440QE, but the OK button wasn't lit. The COM Port showed #1. When I looked in my computer's device settings, it said COM Port #5. Any idea how I change this? There is not COM Port #5 on the Bernina software, and the box isn't lit anyway for you to revise it.

[@JoeKind1958]

Jill 0622 By any chance did you plug USB back into the same port it was in before? You can reassign the com port numbers in your computer but that would require you to be a bit of a computer geek as it is tricky to do. Best thing to try is by process of elimination keep trying your different USB ports one by one till you get to a com port number that you can select in the software. The latest ArtLink version will work with your 400 series machine. Fortunately they still have the 180 on the list in the latest version so they have not forgotten (yet) about the 170/180 owners. With the questions I constantly get from 180 owners it seems that many dealers out there don’t want to offer support for those great machines any more. So sad. Your 440qe is also a great machine and is actually mechanically the same as some of the current models. Sorry for getting off track there, I tend to do that. Let me know if my advice helped. Though this is a older video the process of getting a Bernina that needs a computer hooked up to it for embroidery is still the same. Thanks for watching!

[@user-we3tm2wd3c]

10:26 pm I am a novice with this machine. Bought it used and never used this module. Is the software still useable with an older Mac?

[@pattyhilker1740]

Thank you for brushing me up. I have software for 6. Is there a free download for software 7? Or any other suggestions to update? I've had the machine 7 years and haven't beable to embroider. Got different laptop and hope all goes well! Patty Hilker

[@JoeKind1958]

Bernina now has ArtLink v7 available on their website for free.

[@pattyhilker1740]

Thanks I will try to do it

[@BessBurton]

Be sure to unplug the pedal foot. I spent way too long figuring that out

[@spiritconcat]

what kind of usb cable are you using? Thank you

[@JoeKind1958]

spiritconcat Just a standard USB cable with male/female ends.

[@vickiemarie5314]

Where can I get the hoop and a usb hook up to my laptop? What is the link to the free software. Inherited the Bernina 440. Missing those parts . Thanks

[@BessBurton]

Not sure if you found the usb but it’s a usb a to b

[@annarocha6161]

I know this is an older video but I can't get it to work with the software. Is there anything that can be done

[@mollykerrigan7888]

Did you get it to work? I may be the owner of a used 440QE very soon and want to know if I'll be able to use the embroidery function at all.

[@jjjj7302]

Question: I’m using a Bernina Aurora 450, when I click Write To Machine, EC on PC opens and stops there because it is giving me the error saying that my presser foot is DOWN and won’t calibrate until I raise it. It most certainly is UP - I’ve made sure that the foot petal is disconnected, presser foot is up, feed dog is down, etc. I’ve restarted the software, restarted the machine, etc - but the software is convinced that the presser foot is not up... Please help!

[@JoeKind1958]

There is a micro switch that is located inside the end of the machine near where the presser foot lever is. Sometimes they go bad and then the machine does not know what position the pressure foot is in. When raising the foot you should hear a slight click from the switch and also when it’s lowered. That’s about the most I can tell you without looking at your machine. The 450 is a great machine. As with any model sometimes things break. There is a chance it’s some sort of software glitch but I would guess at a problem with the switch. If you have someone who knows how to test for a open or closed circuit with a volt meter the switch can be tested by removing the end cap of the machine.. Otherwise a dealer or most any other repair shop can test a micro switch to see if it’s working.

[@jjjj7302]

@@JoeKind1958 awesome! I’ll check that out, thanks!

[@jjjj7302]

@@JoeKind1958 THAT WAS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM! There was a little “tang” (I don’t know what else to call it) that has slid off the rail and was no longer engaging the little coloured button! Thanks a million!

[@Traverler123]

Hi, I am having so much trouble with my attaching the Bernina 440 QE where it does not bring up the window to start embroidery. What am I doing wrong, is it just suppose to pop up when I turn on the computer once its attached to the machine? So lost.

[@JoeKind1958]

Without seeing what you are doing I am afraid I really can't help. Other than hooking up your embroidery module and computer correctly, I have all of the steps covered in the video. Your problem could be several things, but without having your setup in front of me I am at a bit of a loss on how to advise you. Hopefully you have a Bernina dealer in your area that can help. Just as a reminder, you can not do embroidery on any 400 series model without it being connect to a computer with the ArtLink software open and functioning like I show in the video.

[@jeaniec891]

My computer won't send the design to the machine if my virus program is running. I have to turn it off, as well as my wireless, and then it will send.

[@JoeKind1958]

You first need to open the program in your computer that you are using to send the designs to the machine. So of you are using the free download of Berninas ArtLink v7, it will not automatically open up in your computer. You need to start the program and when in that program you need to select the machine you are using. Also since each USB port is assigned a com port number in your computer, you might need to select what com port number your USB cord is plugged into in your computer. This is a trial and error type of thing till you select the correct one and everything starts working. Also, do not use a USB extension hub. Make sure the cord is plugged directly into the computer.

[@JoeKind1958]

Jeanie C. You are describing what is known as a software conflict within your computer. Antivirus software is the most common culprit with this problem as it thinks what you are trying to open could potential he be a virus and will shut it down. As long as you are not going online with your antivirus software turned off and you are running software that you know is not harmful to your computer like the Bernina software it's just what you're going to have to do to connect to your machine.

[@lindakitty1]

JoeKind1958 mm

[@jillblankenship4551]

I have the 440QE with the embroidery module. What makes the machine stop so much once I start embroidery? It stops to let me clip the thread, then sews just a bit more and stops again. I check thread, hookup, bobbin, etc., everything but it continues to stop. It does It so much with nothing wrong. I push the start button and it starts again only to stop after a few stitches. PLEASE HELP!

[@Nananea]

Same issue. Did you ever get this fixed and if so, how?

[@TheNancy1953]

When I plug my security device in my computer to start the embroidery program it says security device not found. Whats wrong?

[@JoeKind1958]

Is this security device for embroidery software ? Have you used it before so you know it works or is this the first time you are trying it? Please let me know what software it is used with.

[@TheNancy1953]

​@@JoeKind1958 bernina EditorLite V5

[@JoeKind1958]

@@TheNancy1953 Have you used this software before in the same computer you are trying to use now?

[@TheNancy1953]

@@JoeKind1958 yes but it has been several months ago

[@Jill-hu6bv]

Ooops.i believe it is ArtLink 7.

[@Jill-hu6bv]

I have a Bernina Aurora 440QE. I have been using the Art Design software, primarily for making quilt labels. I was told by Bernina that this software is no longer available. That I need to use the ArtLink software, but it does not have the cababilty to embroider letters or numbers. Well, I might as well throw it in the garbage since it is totally useless for me

[@JoeKind1958]

Jill 0622 They are correct. ArtDesign is no longer available from Bernina but some copies still remain out there and sometimes show up on sites like eBay or Bonanza. The sad part is that the latest ArtLink is basically useless as it is only functional for viewing designs and sending them to your machine. As you know with the 400 series machines they depend on this software to control the machine for embroidery. Bernina of course will steer you to their latest and greatest expensive software. Wanting you to buy new software is why I believe the useful parts of ArtDesign were removed. I would simply stick with ArtDesign if I were you. I still have some that I can sell. If it’s a problem with newer computer operating systems compatibility. It would actually cost you less to purchase a older reconditioned laptop that runs Windows XP and use that just for embroidery rather than buying new software. I picked up a real nice Dell on eBay for only $80 that runs Windows XP. I use it just for older software and do not go online with it. I do have some Designer Plus V7 on eBay right now and that includes a laptop for around $950. I can be emailed at [e-mail] Bill

[@Jill-hu6bv]

JoeKind1958 Thank you so much for responding to my post! I have the ArtDesign software on an old Windows 7 laptop that I just use for embroidery. The problem is, the program won't open up anymore, even if the wifi is turned off. Bernina told me that is because they no longer support it. Seems weird, because ArtDesign is installed on my computer. This should work independently, no matter what Bernina supports. I also have ArtLink installed on there from years ago. I was able to use it for a design I had already saved, but was unable to update the lettering since ArtLink doesn't support it.

[@JoeKind1958]

Jill 0622 If a company stops supporting its software that is just saying that they are no longer providing updates for it. So they won’t do anything to it to get it to work with Windows 10 for example. So if you have the software disc you can still install and use the software. My question is, will this software work in Windows 7? I believe Windows 7 had a windows XP compatibility mode in it so you could run older programs. I could be wrong on that. It could of been Windows 8 that had that feature. Did you have ArtDesign up and running in Windows 7? I believe XP is the newest operating system that ArtDesign worked in. The older versions of ArtLink were more functional than the newest version. Also the old Editor Lite that works in XP is fantastic software. Not as functional as the full version of Editor but it did just enough that most people did not need any more. And I think Bernina realize that and figured that was hurting the sales of their higher end and more expensive software. So now you can’t buy the latest lite version because they don’t make a lite version any more. The older software was great but some people just have to have the latest and greatest and they fall for that marketing baloney. Yes the latest software Bernina sells is great but let’s face it it’s got features in there that most will never need or use. So the best bang for the buck is a low cost nice used computer running older software that will fit your needs. One real quick word on using older computers and this goes for newer computers as well. Always back up your important files on something like a external hard drive or USB sticks. The only thing that really goes bad an older computer is the hard drive. The hard drive will eventually wear out. So keep everything backed up in case the hard drive fails and it can fail on new computer as well. So let me know if you had ArtDesign up and running in Windows 7. Bill

[@Jill-hu6bv]

JoeKind1958 I originally installed ArtDesign V1 on a Windows 7 laptop about 5 years ago using the disc that came with the embroidery module. I still have the disc. I believe I needed to some kind of update a couple of years ago. I'm not totally sure. I don't use the module very often. All of a sudden it stopped working last month on the same computer I have been using for years. I was able to use the ArtLink version I on my computer from a long time ago to do what I needed, but that was it. I'll have to try deleting ArtDesign and reinstalling it on my old Windows 7 laptop to see if that does anything.

[@lindabond578]

@@JoeKind1958 I would like to contact you and cannot find your ebay store using the bush video name. i want to get the link for the software Artlink for my Bernina 440 QE embroidery module thanks