Bernina 1030 - holding my breath!
08-31-2014, 01:51 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
I used to own a Bernina 1030, and wish I could have kept it, but needed it for trade-in value on my newer Bernina. It is a great machine! And it's completely mechanical. I traded up so I could have the blanket stitch for applique, which the 1030 doesn't have. My 1030 came with 10 presser feet and a nice snap-on accessory box, but not a walking foot. And it did have the knee lift. It also has the foot pedal with the half-stitch (needle up or down), when you push down on the heel end--which I really miss. The only thing that we've had problems with on the 1030's is the light switch. When they come through the shop, we routinely by-pass the light switch so the light is on when the machine is turned on. We've sold a couple used 1030's through the shop for about $450.
A walking foot is awesome! but very expensive. $160 brand new!!! You might find a used one on ebay, but it needs to be the "old style." with the forked top. I use my walking foot for sewing on minky, flannel, machine quilting, binding, vinyls, etc. Once you've used a walking foot, you don't know how you lived without one.
A walking foot is awesome! but very expensive. $160 brand new!!! You might find a used one on ebay, but it needs to be the "old style." with the forked top. I use my walking foot for sewing on minky, flannel, machine quilting, binding, vinyls, etc. Once you've used a walking foot, you don't know how you lived without one.
08-31-2014, 02:12 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Puget Sound Region
Posts: 772
Any time someone buys a machine that they're excited about, I have to chime in and congratulate them, especially a carefully made purchase that involves time, travel, and no small change. So bully for you and your new machine!
I came close to buying an 1130 about a year ago but I decided I was too attracted to the brand, not attracted enough to the machine itself. Perhaps a different model will sway me one day.
Congratulations!
I came close to buying an 1130 about a year ago but I decided I was too attracted to the brand, not attracted enough to the machine itself. Perhaps a different model will sway me one day.
Congratulations!
01-09-2022, 10:53 PM
#16
Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3
Thanks to everyone for the advice!
I read everything I could find online and saved pictures of the 1030 with all the feet, accessories, etc., in preparation. We drove up to Albany (equipped with fabric and thread) and the owner already had the machine set up for a test run. Since I'd never seen a Bernina, it took me a while to figure out how to try everything, and we ended up staying for about three hours! I tried many, but not all, of the stitches, and made sure the buttonhole function worked.
I didn't catch on immediately, but when I actually read the front, it turned out to be a 1020, not a 1030. It doesn't have the knee lift, but I found a table extension (missing a screw and with a broken off corner section) in the closet. Also missing: the darning ring/arm, cleaning brush, extra needles, and screwdriver. It has feet: 0, 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 5, and 9. It has a manual - yay! The cover is canvas.
The owner was gracious in offering a price reduction, so we ended up with a price I think was fair.
I don't think I'd be happy if I bought a sewing machine that didn't need some work! When I was testing it, it was pretty loud with a pronounced squeak. So, I came home and took off the stich plate and opened the bobbin area. It was packed full of lint. When I tried to open the the oil, I discovered that the top had never been punctured! I hope that she was just using a different oil and not that the poor machine has gone for years without any. As soon as I finished cleaning and oiling, everything was quiet and smooth.
I'd been working on a dress for my granddaughter, and just had to do the buttonholes and hem. It's amazing to sew on this. The buttonhole function works well, and the foot for hems keeps everything lined up perfectly. I've never had anything like this! I decided I'm happy about the model and can call her KDKA for the radio station in Pittsburgh, where I grew up, which is at 1020 AM.
So, here's a picture of the new baby.
I read everything I could find online and saved pictures of the 1030 with all the feet, accessories, etc., in preparation. We drove up to Albany (equipped with fabric and thread) and the owner already had the machine set up for a test run. Since I'd never seen a Bernina, it took me a while to figure out how to try everything, and we ended up staying for about three hours! I tried many, but not all, of the stitches, and made sure the buttonhole function worked.
I didn't catch on immediately, but when I actually read the front, it turned out to be a 1020, not a 1030. It doesn't have the knee lift, but I found a table extension (missing a screw and with a broken off corner section) in the closet. Also missing: the darning ring/arm, cleaning brush, extra needles, and screwdriver. It has feet: 0, 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 5, and 9. It has a manual - yay! The cover is canvas.
The owner was gracious in offering a price reduction, so we ended up with a price I think was fair.
I don't think I'd be happy if I bought a sewing machine that didn't need some work! When I was testing it, it was pretty loud with a pronounced squeak. So, I came home and took off the stich plate and opened the bobbin area. It was packed full of lint. When I tried to open the the oil, I discovered that the top had never been punctured! I hope that she was just using a different oil and not that the poor machine has gone for years without any. As soon as I finished cleaning and oiling, everything was quiet and smooth.
I'd been working on a dress for my granddaughter, and just had to do the buttonholes and hem. It's amazing to sew on this. The buttonhole function works well, and the foot for hems keeps everything lined up perfectly. I've never had anything like this! I decided I'm happy about the model and can call her KDKA for the radio station in Pittsburgh, where I grew up, which is at 1020 AM.
So, here's a picture of the new baby.
01-10-2022, 05:54 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,353
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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