Got a nice surprise when using a Bernina minimatic
 

My Elna 720 had to go back to the suppliers for a tweak on its timing etc. so as I have a commissioned quilt with a tight deadline to do I got out a cute little Bernina minimatic 807 that had been given to me 18 months back, WOW.

It is a beauty for piecing with just its ordinary presser foot and a magnetic foot guide I get the absolutely perfect scant 1/4" with a lovely stitch length. In just a couple of days I have managed to get the top nearly done, just the last border to put on today. My elna will be back on Tuesday so a little help with the layering I shall be able to get some FMQ done this week.

I will see what space I can manage to manoeuvre as I think it would be great to have the Bernina set up to do all my piecing, what do you ladies think?

I think the Bernina did a great job.

I travel with my 807 often. It's a nice machine.

I have an 807 stashed away but have never used it. One of those garage sale finds for just a few dollars. Guess I should bring the poor thing out and use her! Nice job.

IMO you should get it out, oil and play you might get a nice surprise. If you look carefully at the pic I posted you can see that I have a really straight stitch, something that is hard to get since the "swing needle" came in, even my really expensive elna straight stitch has a slight twist, just a tad but I know it's there :)

Nothing sews like a Bernina!

The old ones are the best!

I have my elna back and is well and sewing perfectly but I am thinking of trying to sort my sewing area out so that I can use the Bernina for just piecing, it sews so perfectly, seems excessive but better than lying gathering dust in some cupboard, again!

That sounds like a very good plan.

I have set up my sewing area for both machines and it is working great. Whilst waiting for a delivery of wadding I used the Bernina to start another quilt, which is great as I don't have to alter my machine to do the free motion of the quilt I have to finish

The pattern I chose, lots of names but I call it fractions, it is really easy and quick to make which is why I chose it. I need another large bottom quilt for my bed and to use up the bolt of fabric that has been lying about as it doesn't "go" with anything but is OK with this pattern. The real beauty of the Bernina comes into it's own with this pattern as the ONLY important measurement is the 1/4" scant seam, and as you can see it is doing a great job.

Now I can leave it where it is while I layer the other quilt on the second table, which I will set up afterwards for FMQ, win win situation IMO

I love my Berninas.

Does anyone know where I can get a replacement sewing plate for the Bernina minimatic 807 the one on it has some damage, not serious but.............

I would imagine you're going to have to watch ebay and put out feelers for a donor machine.

I love the way you have your room set up with both machines. I have a featherweight that I use for piecing. I use my large Bernina for FMQ and machine appliqué. I think you will enjoy having 2 machines in your sewing room.

I am, I have 2 quite important quilts on the go at the moment, one for a customer and a replacement quilt for me, my one is piecing stage and the customers one is at the FMQ stage so I am finding it very hand to switch from one machine to the other without having to change threads etc. I know it is no big deal but ever little help is greatfully received and I am enjoying using the Bernina for piecing, it is so cute, small and oh so perfect stitches.

you are right there.

I concur. You might get a very pleasant surprise. She’s a beauty and I’d like to think your 807 Bernina could be set up alongside. Mine, is a love affair despite having an Elna 62C which is beautiful. (Plus an electronic bernina which barely rates compared to the others). I hope you get her out. Clean and oil her. I’d like to hear.

oh so perfect stitch.

Set t hem both up in your sewing space so you can use one for piecing and the other for quilting or other sewing. I know I have several machines in my studio ready to go. My embroidery machine, then I alternate between my FW and Juki. I also have a number of different machines that I can choose for other things too,

I keep my Bernina 1260 set up for piecing.

I love my Bernina!

I think the reason is that they are so well engineered that they will sew even if they are sick. All others fail. My 1020 is OLD, but still going.

I used that pattern for an "I SPY" quilt for my GGS...I used black for the frames and it is so cute! I recently acquired a Bernina 1008 (it was a happy accident) and once I stitched on it for the first time, it was love! I'd been using a very nice Husqvarna for over 20 years but was never able to get an even, straight, stitch that I was happy enough with to use for machine quilting...so I hand tied all my quilts! Never again!