I just purchased a Bernina Record 930 and am so excited that I can hardly think of anything else.
Until yesterday, I'd been sewing on a computerized Brother cs-6000 that I bought new (reconditioned) 3 years ago for $140. The Brother was okay for lightweight fabrics, but could not handle anything remotely heavy duty. It struggled with medium-weight linen and deerskin and cotton twill. Denim or cowhide were unthinkable. It often was unable to sew through the layers of pleats in the
ring slings that I make. I've had to use my 1940s-era White Rotary machine when my Brother failed. The White is a powerhouse (I found it for $13 at an antique store, and it came with all the original accessories and carrying case), but it only does a straight stitch.
My Brother has seized up inexplicably several times over the past three years. Then yesterday, it refused to sew at all. After just one stitch the thread would snarl and tangle and the machine would shut down, refusing to move another stitch. I cleaned the machine and could see nothing at all obstructing the gears, yet the machine would not sew. I took it to our local sewing machine repair shop, only to find that the starting fee for a tuneup was $60. I didn't want to spend lots of money repairing a mediocre machine, so I decided to look for a new machine.
I wanted something mechanical and all metal. No computerization or complicated electronics. Something that could do, at minimum, straight stitch, zigzag, and a few decorative stitches. I wanted a machine that could handle heavy cowhide or denim without a hiccup. I wanted a machine that people raved about and that they were using decades years later without a single problem. I browsed two furniture consignment stores in town. Both had old sewing machines with cabinets for around $50, but one only did a straight stitch and the other only straight and zigzag.
I hopped on Craigslist and found numerous old Singers, starting at $10 and up. Then I saw an estate sale listing a Bernina Record 930 and my rader started beeping. I read
several reviews of the 930 and became convinced that this was the machine meant for me. I inquired about the price and blinked a few times at the response. Let's just say that it cost the equivalent of what I earn sewing 20 slings. That's a lot of sewing.
Okay, so I guess I'll let you know the price: $500. Yikes! For a machine that was made from 1982-89, they still command a very high price. I did a
nationwide search on Craigslist and found that the Bernina 930 usually sells between $600-1,000. And that's just for the machine and basic accessories. The one I was looking at had the machine, all original accessories, original owner's manual, Bernina sewing guide, a walking foot, a cut & edge foot, carrying case, wood sewing cabinet with lifting mechanism, and (unknown to me until I purchased it) at least $100 of sewing supplies. The only thing missing was the knee lift mechanism, which allows you to raise and lower the presser foot hands-free.
I headed out as soon as Eric was done with work and made the hour-long drive, hoping that no one else had bought it yet. Luck was with me. It was an estate sale for a woman who'd died. Judging from her house and belongings and sewing room in particular, she was meticulous and had very good taste. I almost bought some of her stylish 1940s-era hats and furs and nightgowns, but resisted the temptation...except for 2 pairs of cotton gloves that I just couldn't pass up.
It sews beautifully and has all the features I could ever need. Yet it's all mechanical, which means that (unlikely) repairs will be simple and easy. It purrs along like a...like a...well I don't know cars well, but if I did, I'd compare it to some high-performance sports car that is less about show and more about the essentials: craftsmanship, durability, extreme precision, and above all, power.
So here she is, in all of her vintage 1980s glory.
The machine folds down into the cabinet, and the tops fold up over the hole.
Walking foot and Cut 'n Sew foot (precursor to a serger)
Original manual and book showing advanced sewing techniques with a Bernina
All the presser feet, plus cleaning & maintenance tools
A lifetime worth of sewing machine needles, bobbins, and Olfa blades.
Drawers full of thimbles, tailor's chalk, marking pencils, pins & pincushions, rulers, seam rippers, and various other handy sewing notions. I even found a pair of
Gingher featherweight thread snips that I can wear around my neck when I'm sewing! No more searching for my scissors (which are usually on the other side of the room) when I need to snip threads.
More quilting, embroidery, upholstery, and hand sewing needles than I could ever hope to use.
Sewing Susan needles: pure vintage.
