Info Requested: Bernina Bernette 720
 

*waves*
Hello!

Long time no post. I recently have acquired 2 new machine, one is as Morse and the other is a Bernina 720. The Morse is definitely a Japanese made machine that resembles another machine i have.

The Bernette is newish I'm guessing late eighties. Not quite as old as a couple of my gals but i figure almost 25 years in machine age is almost there. I've been trying to find information about her. She's a Bernina Bernette 720. Most everything I can find is about the 715, 730, 740E but nothing about the 720. I'm just trying to find her age and any thing interesting.

Sorry for the poor quality of the pix. I had to down grade my phone temporarily because i killed my smartphone.

You might try a Bernina dealer? I can ask when I go to the Atlanta quilt show?

I had a newer Bernette from the early nineties for a very short time. I tried sewing with it and it couldn't go through multi layers of fabric?? My featherweight sewed through thick fabric better than it did. It was so bad, I just re donated it. I am curious to know if your's sews through thick fabric ok?

I just finished a pair of baby booties. At one point i had to sew through two suede layers one canvas and two cotton layers. Like butter, its amost like running it through with an older gal. So it does have guts. I was using a walking foot to help with the different fabrics.

That's the type of power I was expecting from the machine I got. I'm guessing there was something wrong with it, but its plastic and I can't fix those kind.

I recently aquired a Bernette 715 and it looks very similar to the machine you pictured, although mine has fewer stitches. I would guess they are both in the 90s vintage. The manual for it was available at the Bernina website, although they are not made by the Bernina company, rather in Asia. Actually in researcing mine, I found a refernece that there is an identical Riccar model. Did you get the accessories? I didn't, but since it originally came with the generic snap-on variety, I just ordered a new set. I haven't cleaned it up yet, but when I do, I will test the sewing stregnth. I did run it a bit and the motor sounds strong. It will be one that I will re-home fairly soon.

Nope no accessories just a generic snap on. Most of my machine is metal with exception of the cam stack and the back and side pieces. My machine has a made in switzerland lable.

@redsquirrel i was surprised to see it in the thrift. Normally its singers and kenmores. When i found it all it needes was a quick removal of webs and a bit of oil. Because it was dry as a bone.

Bernette 720
 

I have this sewing machine also. The instruction manual is for the 705, 720, 730 & 740E. The differences between these four models are the options, otherwise same machine. You can download & print the manual from the Bernina website. You can purchase accessories from Ebay or The Colorful World of Sewing. Maybe you were lucky enough to receive the full accessory kit with the machine. Unfortunately for my $30 at the yard sale all I got was the machine & booklet. It's a dream of a machine for a beginner or basic level sewer. I had a Singer previously which was a terrible piece of equipment. This Bernette is so smooth compared to the Singer. It's like comparing a Rolls Royce to a volkswagon. Just be sure to purchase the low snap on shank adapter. It looks like the one you have on the machine, but the snap on pressor feet will not situate themselves on the shank that came with the machine. You can buy them individually for about $14 apiece or save a bundle and buy a kit with 11 or 15 feet. The adapter comes with the kits. The Bernina website does not carry feet to fit this machine. The only thing you will get from the Bernina website is the instruction manual. Also, the Colorful World of Sewing carries replacement parts for the machine such as belts, cords, etc. I believe the machine dates to 1984.

Awesome! 1984 cool it's t he same age as my little w brother. I do have a snap on foot it pretty much sits perfectly.