HOW OLD IS MY BERNINA SEWING MACHINE?

[@denii9384]

Oh gosh...I've been sewing on my Bernina 830 Record for 48 years; and just today, I am learning how that darn, darning hoop is to be used! Sir, thank you for this and for sharing all your vast and precious knowledge, of vintage SM's!

[@SibylleGren]

Hi, I have just watched your video about this white and red Bernina and explaining the letters and numbers on its back. of the machine. My husband and I bought my first electric Bernina 530-2 record in June 1962, and I’m still sewing with it, at the moment making six quits for grandchildren. Absolutely brilliant is my best “Friend” has never in all these years of working let down. Can’t fault it.

[@susannablaine2741]

Hi Alex I just bought this machine! So excited! My tutor said if I could get hold of one of these or any Bernina it would last a lifetime! Your demo was very helpful. Thank you!

[@unlisted9831]

Thank you for this beautiful video and machine!

[@blueview777]

Oh I'm so happy I found your channel 🥰

[@momofmanda]

My husband surprised me with a 930 in 1985?? I can't remember what year, but it was the first year that Bernina had a serger, and I got both of them. Since then, I have upgraded the serger. I was told by a Bernina employee to never let that machine go.

[@mepnel]

Such beautiful machines. I have six of them for my community sewing class including a very rare lime / Apple green one. Sadly, of all of them the green one is now on my workbench because it was yanked off the table by mistake in a class and something is rubbing inside and needs a rebuild. 😥 She definitely won’t be going back to the classroom if I can get her up and running again. I can’t thank you enough for all the amazing and useful videos you’ve produced over the years, All of which are in my sewing machine repairs folder and referred to constantly. 👍👍👍

[@lorettashum9984]

I bought a 830 when I was in college, still using it now, 40 years later. Also have a Sport 801, a portable model that I made a pinched pleated, 15 feet long , white velvet curtain with thermo lining.

[@CJVihvelin]

I have the same machine that I bought brand new in 1979. Still runs well and I still love it!!!!! It came with the soft cover rather than the hard case.

[@WobblyBiped]

My parents gave me a Nova 900 in 1979, and it's still going strong. I have the original case, all the feet, and the books. A few months ago I had it serviced at Bernina of Oklahoma City. It's humming and purring just like in the 1970s. I see very few of these machines, but it's hands down the best I've ever used. Thank you so much for this video!!! (Thanks for the info to decode the dates; mine was made in 1977!)

[@cannyexplorer5357]

Me too my parents bought mine for my 21st birthday and I am 70 and it’s still going strong. I have added to the feet supplied when a local closed down. I have used to make so many things from clothes to curtains, including my wedding dress and honeymoon clothes. I used it to help me when out of full time work doing alterations from home. Started my own business for some years, it was the best time. Saved me so much money doing repairs and alterations to shop bought clothes. Don’t make much from scratch these days as getting fabric is such an issue as hardly any fabric shops left unless you travel long distances.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

I love your channel. I hope to find a vintage sewing machine at some stage. They don’t make them like they used to.

[@jolineantheajammer]

Love that machine, and Bernina in general. Great overview on the machine. Thanks!

[@foilbargains9088]

I had this machine as a present in 1979 - and I call it my lucky machine - as it bought me a house! Could make fabulous designs on it - worked through any material. If I had to leave my country with a suitcase - this machine would be included inside.

[@pamelagahan5601]

I have the exact machine and love it. I've even seen thick rope baskets with it without a hitch. Love it.

[@efrosinap]

Alex, I watched your video and got choked. I bought my Bernina 1008 in 2000. It was so highly recommended to me that I did everything I coud to purchase it. Was I in for a surprise!!! I have spent more on fixing it, adjusting the timing , calibrating it per the technician at the dealership I bought the machine from, yet I was never able to start and finish a project without having to fix something in the process. I asked for a trade in or any way of getting a working machine to no avail. I even wrote a letter to the Bernina USA which kindly recommended that I have the machine fixed. I had the machine timed and adjusted in Charleston, SC and moved to Billings, MT hoping to be able to use it. Guess what - it doesnt sew, can't make a stitch even if I beg it to. So here I am looking at a useless piece of this sewing machine, unable to use it and frustrated and disappointed to the bottom of my soul. What would you do in my shoes? I can't repair it myself, I will be having a hard time investing yet another $130-180 to have it fixed without any guarantee it will be the last time it breaks down. Oh, I have been sewing since my teenage years, I am no novice to sewing and clothes making - had a trusty European machine for over 50 yrs. which I left in the old world as I wasn't sure it could be rewired. I will be 78 y.o. in a month and wish I could do one project on my Bernina from start to finish. Any ideas how to accomplish that? Thank you in advance! Efrosina

[@anitaswart.]

Hi I also bought a electronic Bernina in about 2008 and it works, but it is so light that when you are sewing the machine moves around. Looking at the video it reminded me of a Bernina minimatic, much like the machine in the video and I made my wedding dress on it with meters of fabric and it never moved and that was the smaller model to the one in the video 1972. This new Bernina has put me off sewing and I started making my own clothes at the age of 13. I'm 71 and I think our generation will never get used to these flimsy plastic machines, because our original machines were made of steel. I think you should try and sell your machine and I hear you have got wonderful thrift stores and I'm sure you will get an old steel Bernina, have it properly serviced and you will be happy again. I can't understand that Bernina sold themselves out to the east, old story for money. I live in the UK and old Berninas are very scarce. I'm originally from South Africa and I had to buy my own machine after getting married. I couldn't afford a Bernina, so in 1974 I bought a Swiss made Elna and they were on a par with Bernina. When making my wedding dress on the Bernina, a gear did crack and had it repaired. My Elnas never gave me any trouble also steel and that machine ended up working 8 hours a day when I started a business. So that is also something to look for. I'm trying to sell my new Bernina and have actually bought an Elna, but it needs a good service. In the UK, technicians are scarce, but I will still try. When I was looking for an old Elna on Ebay, there were many Elnas in the US, fully serviced and very affordable. But it would cost me more to get it here than the machine cost. Good luck and have a look on Ebay. Elnas are just as good as Berninas and much more affordable.

[@BonnyT]

I’ve just inherited my 1977 Bernina Nova 900 from my Mum who's downsizing. It still has both original manuals and going by the purchase date, she was about 12 weeks pregnant with me when she bought it in Sydney after her Swiss friend raved about Bernina 😊

[@MrsMcD918]

Great video!

[@bookbeing]

This machine is 😍. Love the white with red trim.

[@loriannpayne4483]

Great information Alex! Love Bernina’s.

[@blunderellabingham2034]

Brill!! I've always loved the Berninas!! Wonderful machines! Just wish I had one!!🤗 Well demonstrated Alex!!👍 thankyou.

[@thalesantoniokessler8923]

How to identify the production date before 1970?

[@alexaskaroff]

Pre 1970 the first two numbers are the year of manufacture.

[@shelleybesley9805]

I'm still using mine that I got in the 80s. I love it. The number starts with 200 so must be from 1980.

[@richardkelleher1711]

I bought mine new in 1978. I have used it ever since. I did have an issue with the bobbin winder, but purchased a replacement part for it about 10 years ago. I also had to purchase some new graphite parts for the speed control about the same time. Sadly, the speed control turned into an on/off switch a couple of decades ago.

[@lisabragg9843]

I like my Bernina's too. I have a 740 Favorite, an 817 and a Record 730.

[@Zaphy]

This makes me love Bernina even more! I have a Bernette 730, I believe from 1990, given to me by my partners Nanna, and my word what a machine it is. It managed to get through 4 layers of incredibly annoying high performance cotton spandex with no issues, with just the normal zigzag stitch and foot. I also regularly use thick, lined polar fleece and wadding, absolutely flies though it. These things just GO! 😊

[@SusannahPerri]

What a beautiful machine and delightful video! New subscriber here; I love your dog coming to "help" you and all the passion I can see in the variety of gadgets and tools in your surroundings!

[@guymontana5338]

Hey Alex! Nice demo! I have a Bernina 117. Any ideas as to when they were made? Or sources for parts for it? It needs some help to get it up and running correctly.

[@beetosbeef]

I'm just new to sewing but that's a very interesting model actually! They began production in 1938 and the very first zigzag machine. Hope this helps

[@patwalker2501]

I would love to see a demonstration of how to replace capacitors on this machine.

[@LoraineWalton-o1x]

Hello, i wonder if you can help at all. I have a Bernina virtuosa 150 quilters Edition. Is it possible to access the stitches without using the cd? As this is now obselete. I love my Bernina, have had it for 23 years, but i cannot access the additional stitches. Thank you

[@louisavdwesthuysen8560]

I have Swiss Bernina nova 900. Since the last service the hand-wheel is not working. Went back to co who serviced it, they do not understand what is wrong. Can you perhaps help?

[@derkatsch]

Дякую! Дізнався багато корисного! Являюсь власником Берніна 900 1980 року випуску.

[@joanhebbard2982]

dear Alex, I have a Bernina 801 (made in 1979) Do you have any demos particularly how to oil it ? Please you advise me or your blog details so I can follow you. Thank you very much Joan

[@sewsew100]

Hi Alex. Would you say this machine is better than the 930?

[@alexaskaroff]

The 930 is superb, heavier and robust. If you were doing heavier work the 930 is the muscles.

[@mrhandyman42]

Hello Alex i'm very lucky to have a nova 900 i love it it runs sweet the Capacitor popped But the machine still works fine could you please tell me what the Capacitor for ? & your video is great !

[@pierreoscarinfospirituelle3407]

I want to buy this model of sewing machine. Can you elph me?

[@michellejohns8474]

Hi Alex, where would I find a foot for my nova 900?

[@200shoes]

My foot control is fast all the time,no slow or controllable speed like yours. Would love to get a better foot controler

[@oliveenowen2659]

Hi Alex just received the bernina Activa 125, how is it compared to the nova 900. Can't find any video on the activa 125. Need any help yiu can give. Love your videos. Much blessings

[@patfrey7242]

Is this 110 or 220?

[@mehere779]

As Alex is in the UK it will be 230v 50Hz European standard.

[@cazkiwinz4300]

I’d kill for one of the bright lime/yellow Nova’s…. My dream machine! ♥️♥️♥️

[@greenthumb3096]

I've just bought a sweet yellow one! Loved the video Alex..what needle did you use for the layers++ demo? assume it was a jeans needle? I've learned a lot via these videos..btw, I think the Nova has a slightly different threading method than other Bernina machines..? apologies if I'm mistaken ☺️

[@Zoot_of_Anthrax]

First step in dating a bernina is to ask them to dinner….

[@chrisprice5806]

Its just like a vintage machine, but covered in plastic and looks better. Nowdays Berninas are loaded with software that cant be fixed if it breaks, they also take proprietary feet that cost alot, i dont think they have common attachment points on the bed. Berninas annoy me because mainly women buy these super costly machines where otherwise their money would have gone much further.

[@mehere779]

A few real facts.... - The Nova is an all metal machine (cast aluminum/aluminium), apart from the small cover over the motor, and the cover underneath over the electrical bits. It's a testament to the quality of the finish that it may look like plastic. - Bernina feet are expensive, but superb quality. You can use more or less any generic foot on old or modern Berninas with a simple converter if you want to cheap out a bit. - Modern Berninas do have the screw holes in the bed for attachments. We have several classic old Berninas (including the Nova shown here) and other vintage mechanical machines, plus 2 modern electronic Berninas. They all have their individual qualities and get used for whatever they do best.

[@chrisprice5806]

@@mehere779 he is another indisputable fact: many cost over 5000$ and only one manufacturer makes replacement parts

[@irenesteele8141]

By chance you might find them on eBay or Amazon I'm very interested ☺️ PS I have a brother sewing machine and a new home trundle sewing machine that was given to me as a birthday gift from a very good friend of mine ❤️ I adore you and I love the videos but I'm a little too young for you 😂

[@chrisb6842]

❤🌻😊🌻👍

[@clementihammock7572]

The 50s, 60s, 70s Japanese made sewing machine has much much better chromed parts than the European counterparts, just don't rust that easy. I saw Bernina 1001 has ugly rust.

[@bookbeing]

Clementi, you are so spot on about beautiful machines. I inherited a Morse from that era and the metal, colors and detail of the machine design make it art in and of itself. It's a showstopper and with a little dusting and some oil to the moving parts this 60 year old japan made machine sewed a beautiful stitch and purred like a kitten.

[@mandypratley1893]

You can't beat indestructible Bernina 🧵🪡✂️❣️ I was buzzing watching this. Think I'm a little strange because I get emotional with some machines, this one is an icon 😊 Now I have to find one. Thanks Alex ☺️