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Bernina
machineMarch 2001
I am currently studying City & Guilds Embroidery and want to know which of the less new (second-hand) Bernina sewing machines are the best. I have a Singer machine which does not like to do (and usually doesn't) the things I want it to at all and I eventually get so fed up with it that I could quite easily make it redundant! A lot of people have said to get a Bernina machine as they are so good. As I am doing this course I have no knowlege of which machine is best or which isn't (only mine). Therefore I would appreciate some help, also I can't really afford to pay out hundreds of pounds as the course itself is expensive. Can anyone help me?
Thank you in advance
Julia
Phillips
juleslulu@aol.com
Reply
to JulesApril 2001
I too have been looking for a Bernina since they came so highly recommended by other students on the City & Guilds courses. Second-hand ones are impossible to find because no one wants to part with theirs. I have compromised and bought a Janome for nearly a third of the price and have found it amazingly good value. Good luck in your endeavour.
Rita Leahy
ritaleahy@yahoo.com
...
and ...May 2001
I have been lucky enough to pick up a second hand Bernina (a Virtuosa 150 - 3 yrs old) at a really good price from my local stockist. It's like a Rolls Royce compared to my old Toyota and I would recommend it to anyone. The man in the local Bernina dealer shop said that, yes, second-hand machines are rare, but when a local school is renovated, closed down or rebuilt there are often machines available. If your local education authority is having a bit of a shake-up like ours is, it may be worth contacting them. Or go to the Bernina website and ask them to send details of your local dealer. Good luck - I hope you find your dream!
Samantha Darnbrough
Bernina
Sewing Machine January 2002
I wish to point out that on occasions you will find secondhand Bernina sewing machines for sale in the Loot. Also, I bought mine from a place on Oldham Road in Manchester: Bamber's sewing machines. They have secondhand reconditioned Bernina sewing machines for sale. If you want their telephone number I will gladly forward it to you.
Karen Harbour
Harbour@karenjackson.co.uk
BerninaJuly 2002
I have had a Bernina for many years: in fact I have three. The best advantage I can state, and there are many, is that the Bernina has a high shank and does not catch your embroidery frame when moving round to places that you wish to embroider. Some other machines have a low shank and you find it marking time in an area that you want to progress from. This can be very annoying. Also a Bernina is pretty robust which is what you want in a free machine, and when you lower the presser foot it does do the trick. As you become more experienced you will be able to "talk" to it and it will "obey"!! Try to borrow one from a friend for a try out and if you try one out in a shop take the worst possible fabric to try out, not the thick calico that comes out for trial stitches. Best Wishes
Erica Allen
Another
View November 2002
I am sorry to take an opposite view regarding Bernina sewing machines.
I purchased a new, basic model 2 years ago in order to finish my hanging for C & G part 2. I used it for three months including using metallic threads. After a while, the top thread continually broke which was caused by a small groove worn where the top thread touches the main body of the machine. I returned the machine to the retailer who filed down the sharp but small groove!!
I also contacted Bernina to ask if their machines were meant to be used with metallic threads and they were very surprised to hear what had happened, but could not help, and they insisted I dealt with the retailer.
I have lost confidence in my machine but intend to start machine embroidering again and plan to contact Trading Standards if there are any further problems.
Sue Richardson
jscmpw@blueyonder.co.uk