Your Favorite Older Bernina Model?
 

Hi I'm currently happy quilting on my Viking but definitely want to add a USED Bernina to my stable in the future. I wouldn't buy brand new but would like a used but computerized model. I don't go to classes and BSR is not a must-have (unless you convince me otherwise!!). I really just want the even straight stitches that Berninas are known for. I come across Berninas posted for sale on Craigslist and wonder if there is a model I should wait for and purchase when the opportunity arises either from a dealer or on craigslist. The question is, which model? Virtuosa? Artista? Aurora? Just as a realistic, current example- my local craigslist has three separate listings- a 440QE ($1400), a Virtuosa 153($600) and a 1230 in cabinet($700)? The range of prices and the pros and cons of newer vs older make it quite difficult to decide and its difficult to test them out side by side so I would love your testimonials! Do you have a former Bernina model you still use and love and would recommend?

I love my 1630. It was (I think) B's first really computerized. And oz for oz it is the prettiest sewing machine ever to roll out of a factory. Sews like a dream. It has cams you can get, and you can program your own, but I never got into that. It just sews. Clothes, drapes, tableware, oh yeah, quilts, too. A+++

Have fun looking.

I have a Bernina 1530 from 1992 and it's great to sew with. Mine is second hand (free from a friend that inherited and doesn't sew) and I didn't get all the special feet for it but I have been able to find feet for it at my dealer and on ebay. I even got an acrylic extension table for it. A great machine.

I have a Bernina Virtuousa 150/1999, and an embroidery machine Bernina Artista 180/1998.
I wouldn't trade either of my machines. I love the 150 for piecing, and I have the 180 for embroidery.
Glad you are looking at the Bernina machines, they are wonderful machines and have a life of 50 years,
so they are good machines to have.

I bought my Bernina 440QE new about 7 or 8 years ago. It is the second machine in my life that I bought new. I love it and it is my "go to" machine. I rely on the needle down function, the needle up/down with a tap on the foot pedal. The walking foot is great quality (I was burning through generic walking feet on my White machine). At first I didn't like the BSR since I was pretty good at free motion without using it. But, now that I've adjusted to it I would not consider not using it for free motion. The needle threader works flawlessly. Nothing has gone wrong with my machine and I have never had it serviced (GASP!). I just clean the bobbin area well with each bobbin change and clean the feed dog area nearly as frequently.
I also have a computerized 1630 which I bought used. Although it is a great machine I prefer some of the modern conveniences with the 440QE. And, I have a mechanical 730 that is great, but again, I am really liking the modern features of the 440QE and use that for most of my sewing.
I would not consider getting rid of any of my Bernina's!
PS: I bought the mechanical 830 for my daughter who never cared for sewing on my White machine. She loves it and uses it for home dec projects all of the time. It is easy for her to use and is trouble free.

Please let us know what you end up buying! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the older Bernina models.

My oldest Bernina is my trusty 830 Bernina Record with the red hard plastic case. I bought it brand new in the 70s. About three years back I bought a 2004 Bernina Artista 200 embroidery, computerized machine. They both are wonderful. My favorite thing on the Artista is that I can set the needle to always stop in the down position. Also, I can set different speeds for FMQ. The Artista I bought off of craigslist.

[You can't go wrong with Singer 301 or a FW for straight stitching though. All of mine are off Craigslist.]

Personally, I love the 800 series. My 830 Record which I got recently used makes THE nicest stitches. Never have a problem with tension either. It is rock solid dependable. Once I had the 830 for a while, I started to long for a more portable version. That's when I got an 801 Sport. It's just as reliable but with a handle, it's much easier on the back. think it's much better than a FW -- for less money. I won't ever be without a Bernina.

I have an oldie but goodie...the 1008...she has a beautiful stitch and has served me well for about fifteen-seventeen years. However, she got sick a year ago or so, so she is now my backup machine but still gets a workout now and then. Good luck in the hunt!

I have the 830. It is probably the top sought after vintage machine and can easily cost $800 used.

I have a Bernina 1090 and I love it! Total workhorse and I have never had a single problem in the 18 years I have owned it. The last time I took it in for its "annual exam" the owner of the shop (who sells Beninas) told me to never let anyone talk me into trading it in.

I have Bernina 150, I paid $500 from a Guild member.
I love it.

I've had a 440QEE for 6 years and I love it. I am the second owner and it was only a year old at the time. I got a great price and a bunch of extras. It has never given me a moments trouble. Needle stop down and needle threader are two of my favorite features. The BSR works great too. My backup Bernina is a mechanical/electronic 910. A simpler sibling of the magnificent 930, it has no decorative stitches but otherwise the same Bernina performance and quality. Bernina introduced the needle up/down during the early 80s. My 910 does have it, once I got the correct foot control for it.

I have a BErnina 630. It sews nice stitches but it is very heavy- and it was a 1964 model.

My first bernina machine was the record 830. I used that machine for many years without one problem with it. I did buy every foot available for it and used everyone of them at one time or another. Wonderful machine! I gave it to my sister when she asked for it. I had bought the artista 180 with an upgraded program that made it the 200. Then when my friend passed away, her daughter sold me her new auroa 440QEE with the stitch regulator and lots of extra feet for 2,000 dollars.

All of these machines are wonderful and each has features I like. THe 180 has a touch screen for the computer that is very handy and takes a little embroidery cartrage that fits into the front of the embroidery module. Whereas the aurora is an interaction between the lap top computer and the sewing machine. These are both great, but, I like the cartrages for the ease of use. I am not sure, but, there was some talk about the cartrages being fazed out. So, you would have to buy used or check at ebay for those. I bought all that I wanted and then got a majic box converter to make my own.

It is the programs that are in the machines that make the big difference in the computerized machines. Some are able to do more editing than others. There are upgrades available, but I am not sure if they are still offering them. You would have to check with your dealer (serviceman) to see what is available now. It is a bit limiting to buy the older embroidery bernina's. But, if you can find a source for your design programs, It shouldn't matter as far as the age of the machine.

I still miss my record 830 I had used that machine so many years I could make it do most anything I wanted to do on it. There was many built in embroideries that you could sew in a row which I liked.

Each machine takes different bobbins than the other, so be aware of that. The newer machines I have both can use the same feet.

I would make sure someone took good care of whichever machine you buy. I think that is the most important factor.

If you want any more info on any of the machines I own, just pm me.

Bernina's are great machines and I hope you find one you are able to pick up reasonably.

The Bernina 440 QEE should come with the BSR and the embroidery unit. Grab it. That's a deal!

I've had several older Berninas that are wonderful machines. 730,807 minimatic,930,1031,1130 and a Virtuosa 150. I still own the 930 and 1031, the others have all been sold to thin the herd. Only the 1130 and 150 are computerized, the others are mechanicals.
Sharon W.

You cannot go wrong with a Berina. I have a 200, a 160, 153, and a 930. I love them all but I think the 930 is my new favorite and it is the oldest.

I have a Virtuosa 155 that I purchased used for $1600 7 years ago. It is a great machine and I have been really pleased with its stitch quality. I hope you find the perfect Bernina to add to your collection.

I have a 1260 that is from around 1990 that I LOVE. I use it alot to do FMQ.

I inherited a 1090 from my late MIL and I love it. Would not trade it for anything else. It is a true workhorse and beit gets a workout! I just take it to my trusty dealer for servicing once a year. You cannot go wrong with a Bernina! Good luck in your hunt...

I have a 1090QE from 1996 and wouldn't trade it for the world.

I LOVE my Bernina 830 record. That will never part with me.......EVER!!!!

I have 2 Bernina 1090's I bought brand new in the early '90's and wouldn't trade them for the world. Also picked up a Janome 1000 HD that "acts" very much like my Berninas except for the needle down option.

I inherited a Bernina 1230 from my Meme, and a 1530 from my mother (she now has my Meme's newer machine that she had when she passed, so now I have two!).
I quilt on it, but I am also a cosplayer, so I put my 1230 through some tough stuff, it always works like a champ. Now I have these two machines, and I'm thinking about selling one, does anyone have an opinion on which is better? I'm torn between selling, and just keeping one in reserve.

Thanks!

I don't know anything about the Bernina 1230, but I purchased my 1530 new in 1994. I really like the machine - it still runs like a champ after all these years and I did a LOT of sewing on it.

I love my Bernina 1630! She is a smooth stitcher and does everything I ask her to with good results. I have many feet and love her capabilities. I bought her used about 17 years ago and she is still going strong. I bought another used one for my daughter when she graduated from university and hers continues to sew beautifully also.
I was told that parts are now scarce and it would be difficult to fix - if my machine becomes unfixable I will be very sad and will try to find another just like her.

I have a 930 Record bought in early 80’s. Bought a 770QE in 2016. I had taken the 930 in for an oil change when i got the 770 and had not used it since. Last month during mask production i uncovered the 930 and she just took off. I was so happy. No noise, no caught threads. Absolutely ran like a dream. And so quiet! I love that machine and will not part with it! I think it is the best purchase i have ever made!!!

My favorite is the bernina 1008 due its design and longevity as shown by bernina.

I find the 830 to be overrated because for a very old/vintage sewing machine, it has plastic parts especially in the cams. Absolutely disappointed when I found out about this. This is also one of the reason I chose the 1008 as it's a bit more modern. Also suppose is still there for the machine. Yes it has plastic parts but as the 830 also has plastic too.

Many have touted the 830 to be the queen of all sewing machine.

Oh and I bought my 1008 for $100.

I have a Bernina 930 (my husband surprised me for Christmas in 1984 with it!) … it is not computerized but I love it! My husband has asked if I want to upgrade and I say no! I will never give up this machine … It is a workhorse and has run like a dream ever since.

I also still have my Bernina 830 Record and love it. It used to be my only machine and got decades of use before I started branching out and buying other machines. I'll always keep the Bernina 830 tho. It's a fabulous, all mechanical machine.

The 830 Record was Bernina's top-of-the-line machine for 20 years, by the way. That's how good it was/is.

Beautiful Vintage Bernina Machines
 

I love the 1983 Bernina 930 Record that I inherited from my granny! I will never part with it no matter what. I also love the 1995 Bernina 1630 Inspiration Plus that my mom gifted me. She bought it new and sewed with it for many years before upgrading. I recently had the S-Print board replaced and it is just like new again. I feel so lucky to have two very nice vintage Bernina sewing machines that two very special ladies gave me. Both sewing machines are absolutely perfect as well as solidly built, especially the 930, and they are a dream to sew with. I keep them clean, oiled and regularly serviced.