Bernina 1020
 

Hello everyone! I inherited my moms Bernina 1020 and I am curious if I have to get needles and bobbins made by Bernina or can I get generic brands. The place I took it to for a tune-up was a Bernina dealer and said I had to buy Bernina. What are your thoughts. Thanks in advance. :)
April

I do not have that Bernina but I do have a 430 Aurora and I do not buy from the Bernina dealer.

i only use bernina on mine needles and bobbins. i have a 640 artists

I have the Bernina 1260. I buy Bernina bobbins from a sewing machine shop that sells Brother, Janome, and Bernina. The Bernina accessories sold there are much cheaper then at the Bernina dealer here. I have bought online before I found this shop. This series of Berninas aren't made anymore so I use Bernina parts to be sure it gets the best made for it. Besides the Bernina bobbins are pretty.

I have had the 1020 for 22 years and just love it. I do believe you should use Bernina bobbins but have never bought Bernina needles and never had any problems. Good luck with your new machine.

My mom uses Bernina bobbins and Schemt or Organ needles

Thank you everyone for the advice! :) I will buy some Bernina bobbins today.

For Bobbins, i am pretty sure you have to use Bernina and for that specific model. Apparently there are slight variances from one model to the next. I never knew that until I bought some.

For needles, I didn't even know Bernina made needles. I use Schmidt needles which my dealer recommended. She did tell me once to never ever use singer needles in my Bernina. She said they are just ever so slightly larger than Schmidt and can damage the hook assembly which holds the bobbin over time. So I have only ever used Schmidt.

I use Organ titanium coated needles in my Bernina.

I have a 440 QE, and I use Schmetz needles (sharps, not universal). I did buy some Bernina needles at a class once, because I broke my last needle, but I couldn't tell any difference. I have considered using Organ needles, because I have heard good things about them. With needles, it's not the machine, but the size of the thread that matters.

I do, however, use only Bernina bobbins. I'm pretty sure that Bernina bobbins are not interchangeable with other brands. Even with Singer machines, you can't use the Class 15 or 66 in a 221 Featherweight.