The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Vintage Machines => Topic started by: annieeg on July 28, 2020, 13:18:01 PM

Title: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: annieeg on July 28, 2020, 13:18:01 PM

Seeking advice on which may be the better machine.  Anyone got an opinion?

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: Sewbusy on July 29, 2020, 12:40:51 PM

Only negative I've heard re the Nova is that people have had problems trying to source a replacement foot pedal if the need arises, other than that seems to be well like my many . The Minimatic? there are a few different versions, 707 and 807, similarly well liked and few known or remarked upon issues smaller versions of the 730 and 830 record with less built in stitch options. The 801 Sport is also quite a popular purchase.

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: annieeg on July 29, 2020, 12:59:17 PM

@Sewbusy
Many thanks for your reply.  Do you have any knowledge/opinion of the Bernina 530-2?

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: Sewbusy on July 29, 2020, 17:52:50 PM

Sorry @annieeg can't help with that one, the earliest I've had was a little 600. There a Facebook group Vintage Bernina Sewing Machines, you might find some info on there, a few members have the early Bernina and are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: Sewbusy on July 30, 2020, 05:03:09 AM

Couple of excellent videos here that may help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZU8iqnjuvk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs1kb4BfZ4M

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: Roger on July 30, 2020, 20:40:36 PM

I had a 530 - 2 it was really lovely very neat and tidy, sewed so neatly and quietly - and has a range of stitch patterns. I think its much under appreciated compared to the famous models. I liked it a lot.

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: Elnnina on July 31, 2020, 11:22:06 AM

Annieeg I believe you watch GBSB - well a few series ago the one where there was an Army fellow that was an excellent dressmaker, well he had a Bernina 530 and had taken this away with him on various postings and thus had repaired many  uniforms etc.  Whilst it looked rather sorry for itself, this was not surprising remembering all that this machine had gone through in its life.  These older Berninas are built rather solidly and provided you can still get parts for this should carry on stitching away for some time yet.  I also believe that Arrow over in Norway may have one of these machines.

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: annieeg on August 01, 2020, 08:29:07 AM

Thanks for all the comments - think it's probably going to be a minimatic 807 and I'll post updates.  :D

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: wrenkins on August 01, 2020, 09:24:13 AM

Neil. 15 pages of engineering diagrams for his kilt!  :dance:

Title: Re: Bernina Nova or Minimatic
Post by: Gernella on August 01, 2020, 10:15:00 AM

Deleted, just seen an earlier thread.