Several years ago my nephews grandmother died and he asked me if I would like her sewing machine. When I went to the house to pick it up I saw it was a wonderful old Bernina. Of course I would give it a home! I made an appt to get it cleaned and that is when I realized I didn't have the electrical cords or foot pedal. The story gets a bit sad, but my nephew's dad moved into the house and really fell into drinking and became a raging alcoholic. No matter what I tried I couldn't not get that pedal! I tried to get my nephew to help me, I snapped a photo and put it on the door and asked him to find it but there was never any response. Later, they foreclosed on the house and pretty much the entire contents got thrown into the dump. (likely the bernina foot pedal!)
In 2015 I ran a half marathon in Seattle with my friends and Laurie brought a bernina foot pedal and I brought my machine. The machine came to life but the pedal was full speed or off, so I passed on getting it from her.
Well, a few more years went by and you all gave me some great ideas on how to get this beauty going.
I decided I would try and get the original equipment. Look at this!! I was so excited. The light came on but nothing else happened. I was so disappointed. It is winging its way back to the Ebay seller and an aftermarket foot is winging it's way to me.
I've been in touch with a man who is coming to my town to clean and service machines and one of them will be this Bernina!
Crossing my fingers.....
Have a fantastic weekend!
I was excited when I saw the blog photo. Ha! Still a bit more waiting and patience needed. Do you ever give your sewing machines a name?
ReplyDeleteThis machine started my love affair with Bernina! These were in home ec room when i taught math, so i would go in and sew on my off time, or after school The button hole maker sold me. Hope she is up and running soon.
ReplyDeleteYou should write up this story and put it inside the machine case because one day, it might go to another quilter and knowing the story would be wonderful! I love this kind of history.
ReplyDeleteI bought a Bernina Sport model similar to this one in 1986 and it remains my favorite machine! Good luck with this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a saga! This machine should purr for you after all you've gone through to get it up and running. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are on the road to a happy union with your Bernina!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best of luck. Third time has just GOT to the charm!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori If indeed you are still searching, please try PNW Vintage Sewing Machines on Facebook. I have been a member for a few years. LOTS of resources within the group and great helpers! Good Luck with your love of a machine! I love ALL my vintage machines... :) Blessings, Karen
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely persistent but I know it will pay off. This machine deserves to be used and loved.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the pedal. 'Glad you found another one. I sewed on a Bernina for many years, cannot recall the model though.
ReplyDeleteCrossing my fingers and adding a prayer!
ReplyDeleteI had the same experience. A kind neighbor gave me a Bernina 1210 that had belonged to her much love godmother, who was a seamstress. The fly wheel was frozen so I got it in working order but no foot pedal! As I have other machines I haven’t been looking too hard for a foot pedal, but feel like I’ll find one eventually.
ReplyDeleteLori, you will love it. I have a 730 Record from 1970 that started my love affair with Bernina. She now has a cracked gear (have no idea how that happened; maybe 50 years of use?) and I have a new Bernina.
ReplyDeleteOh I wish you luck with this beautiful old machine! You have been so persistent! This is the machine I learned on - my grandmother's - and I inherited it. I think it's one of the finest machines Bernina ever made - so solid and quiet - and it was produced for many years - I hope you can get it going properly.
ReplyDeleteThey are such a good machine, hope you can get it running! My mom used hers for well over 40 yrs before they lost it in their house fire.:)
ReplyDeleteThe BEST machine ever made (other than the 730 which I wish I still had) My 830 made a trip back to N (or S) Carolina to a repair person who worked on the originals in the factory. The problem was that I had burned out the original motor, and when the local repair shop put the new motor in it wouldn't run. It would run outside the machine, but not in it. Go figure So they contacted this guy, he tried to tell them how to do it, but they ended up up sending the machine to him. I think my machine was gone for 4 months, but worth every minute. I LOVE this machine. And by the way, I've gone through 3 foot pedals, including the original. Did I tell you how much I LOVE this machine ??
ReplyDeleteSuch good news for me! Thanks for sharing your experience!
DeleteI will keep my fingers crossed too. I hope you will be able to sew on your Bernina soon.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful machine to be sure!! Well built made in Switzerland and my first machine (saved my entire summer wages) to buy it brand new. Never a moment's problem and I did a lot of sewing. Now I still use it after taking it to a well trusted Bernina trained tech but as the parts are a bit a difficult to get please ensure you run it once a month to avoid seizing. I've heard that cracked plastic gear has been a problem with these machines. I think that back then they thought plastic gear would outlive us all. Well I was fortunate only needed a tune up (first ever) and brushes replaced and it is still running after 50 years and is the machine I compare others to. In terms of reliability, ease of use, solid and I do mean solid construction. I don't have a need for embroidery although I have another machine if I want to quilt due to larger harp. Back then I was sewing garments. Hello Home Ec!
ReplyDeleteIf you can't find someone local be diligent there are Bernina techs (old guys often but not necessarily who are well trained and knowledgeable...spend some time checking them out before you hand over your baby.) These machines can last a life time and then some..I am so grateful that I made the purchase back then(about to retire now) and while I have another machine as well if I only had one machine this Bernina is it and often used. ..not all Bernina's have that stitching quality and precision...weighs a ton so much for portable back then! There used to be a Yahoo group something like Bono's Berninas not sure it still exists but I learned a lot about machine techs. Bless 'em the good'uns are geeks. I bought that machine at 16 never thinking sewing machines and the purchase thereof can be a bit like buying a car...so not interested in that scenario. Hope that helps. (Learned on my Mum's Bernina in the old green and soft yellow colourway a model from the early 60's .. when she passed that machine went to her granddaughter in the States where I am told it is much loved and used as well.) Not all models are created equal especially the older computerized ones. Wishing you good health, much joy and lots of happiness with your new Bernina. No more nattering. I promise!
I have had the old Bernina 830 from new. There is something inside the foot pedal which goes wrong. My machine has only once been repaired and that was it. I took it to the shop where I bought it, the owner repaired machines. I am sorry I do not know exactly what it was.
ReplyDeleteI was able to buy a replacement foot pedal for my 1976 Bernina 830 on Amazon! It’s not perfect but my machine runs. It’s very light weight.
ReplyDeleteI have my stepmom's Bernina Record 830 that I dug out from my daughter's basement because my Walmart machine finally gave up the ghost (those things are not as well-made and durable as vintage machine, in my opinion). I learned to sew in the early 1970s on my mama's vintage Singer. Annnnnyway... I cannot for the life of me find an online manual that shows basic threading and bobbin winding (they all skip right to stitches... I need threading first lol). Would you happen to know where I might find a manual for the Bernina Record 830? I sure would appreciate any help. Thank you for your review of this machine! Be blessed!
ReplyDeleteNevermind my previous comment, I did one more search and found an online manual! LOL! Still thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteYAY!
Delete