The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Sewing Machines => Topic started by: Lyn-J on June 06, 2017, 09:16:53 AM
-
I've never had all my machines under one roof until yesterday.
They are normally out and about with family members being used, but they've come home for a bit of TLC.
It feels so greedy having this lot. All were bought new and they've all been well used and are still going strong.
Six Berninas and a Pfaff
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/35000555311_961e127686_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VjSZGc)P1020370 (https://flic.kr/p/VjSZGc) by Lyn-J (https://www.flickr.com/photos/75662823@N06/), on Flickr
The sewing machines
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/35131401805_a29d0faea3_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VwrBNe)P1020369 (https://flic.kr/p/VwrBNe) by Lyn-J (https://www.flickr.com/photos/75662823@N06/), on Flickr
The overlockers
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4223/35000556191_e9009ef06b_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VjSZXn)P1020367 (https://flic.kr/p/VjSZXn) by Lyn-J (https://www.flickr.com/photos/75662823@N06/), on Flickr
Here's the list:
Bernina 790
Bernina 1500 MDA
Bernina 1300 MDC Coverstitch
Bernina 730 Record
Bernina 180 e
Bernina 344 Overlocker
Pfaff 1473 CD
-
Wow, good for you, if it is your "thing". Personally I can't see why anyone would have more than on machine ( or more than one of anything - can't understand "collections" ) but yours look very at home and comfy together :) :sew:
-
It's a family portrait, or a family reunion, or something like that. What fun!
-
Lovely collection, and that little Pfaff, and the Bernina 730, look very familiar..... :) <3
Mine are all over the place. It would be nice to get some photos of them though....
Jessie
-
Thanks for sharing, that's quite a collection and one to be proud of. I think the Pfaff needs some company in amongst all those Berninas ;)
-
Blimey!!!!! :o
You lucky Duck!
-
Personally I can't see why anyone would have more than on machine
Different machines do different things! and if you sew regularly, or lend them out, you need back-ups.
-
Great collection :) I do understand collections but sometimes wish I didn't 0_0 (waves to Lowena)
I've bought a fair few machines over the years but have usually given the old ones away to friends or sons girlfriends. I really wish I'd not given away my first computerised one, an Elna can't remember the model but I'd bought it because of the speed limiter.
L :vintage:
-
Oh no no no ! Not collecting ! They just won't go away, Honest :S
Let me explain.
I normally have the one sewing machine, one coverstitch, one overlocker, plus vintage-sentimental-value 730 Record. I bought this as a teenager, my first big purchase. (actually my second but that's another story.) I can't see more acquiring any more.
DD2 has the 180e and older overlocker, but they are residing here whilst she moves. DD1 and DGD3 have the Pfaff, but she is here for TLC and for me to relearn so I can teach DGD3. This is the first time she's been back "home" for about 5 years. DD1 has a Pfaff 100 (?) so she has company. They are only all here for a couple of days, the first time they have ever all been together. I tried to sell the older ones on but they were claimed by my daughters :) I wouldn't have got very much for them and couldn't trade them in.
The older ones have all had a good 15 years of being my main machines. I've always made all my own clothes, The 730 used to pay for itself every year, not so with the more modern ones.
I think it would be like to own one of the pretty-pretty hand cranked Singers. But it wouldn't get used and I don't really have anywhere to display it, so no.
-
Does the 730 Record get any use next to a new 790? You certainly are a Berina girl lol Very nice machines all of them. I like the old machines, use them, but they are electrical and I would not mind trying out the buttonholes on a 790, and the stitch regulator :- )
-
Mmmm nice collection of sewing machines, Lyn-j. I wonder what the collective noun for sewing machines should be. A coven of sewing machines? A murmuration of sewing machines? ;)
-
Mmmm nice collection of sewing machines, Lyn-j. I wonder what the collective noun for sewing machines should be. A coven of sewing machines? A murmuration of sewing machines? ;)
Either of those names would be ideal so maybe a 'murmurating coven' :)
Lanty :vintage:
-
Different machines do different things! and if you sew regularly, or lend them out, you need back-ups.
I do agree with this but then, with my stable, I suppose I would say that. I've got sewing machines and overlockers spread over two households and one coverstitch machine (so I'm not really that bad....I don't think). I could imagine getting down to 2 sewing machines but I wouldn't be happy to do so and I'd find it an impossible choice to go lower because they have different strengths and weaknesses - the Pfaff's IDT is wonderful with pernickity stuff but the old Bernina's great for everything else (so far).
I'm not including my recent vintage gals in that :vintage: - I'm keen to discover their buttonhole capabilities and have already repaired a handbag which I wouldn't have forced on any of the others.
-
Coven of Beninas - I like it :D
The coverstitch and the newer overlocker get refereed to as the evil twins. The are all called anything beginning with B depending on how well they are behaving. :S
Berninas now have IDT - copied from Pfaff. :o
The 790 is very powerful, it manage to sew through the stop on a metal zip.
I do use the 730 occasionally - she never throws hissy fits!
-
Berninas now have IDT - copied from Pfaff. :o
That's true but you have to spend in excess of £2K for it on a Bernina :S whereas you can get it for £500 on a Pfaff. That's one thing that I particularly admire with Pfaff, they don't restrict it to the mega £ machines. If you can't afford that either, fortunately there are many years of second-hand Pfaffs with it too. :)
-
That's great that Pfaff have the IDT on all their machine - well done them.
When I bought my 730 I thought it was the best machine on the market. I don't think that about Berninas now. It's very much a matter of personal choice.
When buying my 790 I compared it to a similar Pfaff. The decider was sewing some lining fabric. The Pfaff was very puckered without the IDT and a bit better with it. The Bernina without the IDT was better than the Pfaff with. Even with the IDT the Bernina was not perfect. I have since found out that there are fabric settings for the Bernina and it will sew lining perfectly when set correctly. Not sure different settings for different fabrics is the way forward when one setting on my 730 would sew all fabrics :S The other deciders were a preference for the Berninas in built embroidery designs and the controls seemed more logical (because I'm more used to Berninas) That's just my own personal experience, I'm not wanting to get into a this brands better than that brand discussion.
I've never tried a Janome, but I'd like to. Not to sure where to start with them as the choice is overwhelming.
-
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Bernina fan (I love my Bernina coverstitch and old 1020) but just sad that so many of us are priced out of their ranges – Pfaff is far from perfect.
Fortunately, the old Bernina machines are within budget and my Pfaffs have been rather neglected since I got my 1020 a couple of years ago, unless I need the IDT, of course. ;)
-
The marked takes a turn now and them, but I think the basics are rather stable. Technology and models develp slowly, ad it takes about a decade before something new to turn up.
Is it the 730 Record you mean Lyn? At the time I think Bernina probably had the repuation for having the most userfriendly machines with best stitch quality. They were portable machine, sturdy, dependable that weighed less than the older machines. They acutally had this since 1945, gradualy adding improvment along the way. I wonder when they sailed up as such a favorite`I think it was around the turn of 1960. Of course, they were not alone on the marked to make nice machines then either, but a they had a combination of features that turned out a success.
The top range Berninas are rather expensive these days, maybe more so than the mechanical machines ever were. They never were bargain priced machines. I don't know all the models and makes these days, but so far I still consider Bernina of the better ones. I can't think of anyone actually out doing them. I just don't do the type of sewing worth investing that much in a brand new machine. I might have worked a bit more in the computerised direction if I found an advantage in them. I like them though. Another thing is I like the old machines I found, and I don't what to place either of them idle on a shelf. They do the jobs I need them for just as quickly and as nice.
In my town there are many fast food places insisting they have the best kebab in town, the best sushi, etc. We just have to try to see if we agree lol
-
I think it's easiest to buy and sew with what you know. I have Babylocks (Imagine serger, coverstitch, Elizabeth sewing machine). If I were to fall into a pile of money for a new sewing machine, I'd probably lean toward a Babylock. I don't think they are better than the other good brands, but I know they are a good brand that I'm comfortable with. Sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming.
I have a fancy newer Singer embroidery combo machine that I use as a secondary sewing machine as I don't love embroidery it turns out. It's actually a very nice sewing machine, though it doesn't see much sewing time.
I think I'd recognize a fantastic older Bernina machine at a bargain price at a yard sale or something and know to snap it up. I'm not sure about which Pfaffs to be on the lookout for, though.
-
Don't they look just dandy. Around 2007 I would have thought "what the hell does she want all those machines for", but now I know, I've been educated. Yes you can have one machine that does everything (to a point), but if it's hobby (or for a living) why not get what you need to enjoy and make life easier. Invariably they all have particular things they are good at.
Enjoy.
-
The top range Berninas are rather expensive these days
"Rather expensive" is understating it for Australia at least - here they start at $12,000 new. :o Then you need to buy the lovely but expensive feet on top. Way above my pay scale, now or ever! Fortunately I'm happy with my mechanical Bernies. Latest one (830 Record) cost me the vast sum of $10 plus a fee to my service guy; now she's running like silk :D I'm on the hunt for a straight stitch plate for her; it won't be cheap but given how cheap the machine was, I think it will be worth it.
-
I have the 730 Record, but don't use it as much as I might. It may get more use if I bring it into work with me!
Jessie
-
I'm happy with my mechanical Bernies. Latest one (830 Record) cost me the vast sum of $10 plus a fee to my service guy; now she's running like silk :D
That's the best way to get a great Bernina on a tight budget - but $10 is one heck of a find! It's like LeilaMay's £10 Featherweight! Well done both of you. :D
-
It's like LeilaMay's £10 Featherweight!
Oh please don't remind us about that Featherweight :'(
-
That's the best way to get a great Bernina on a tight budget - but $10 is one heck of a find! It's like LeilaMay's £10 Featherweight!
:D yup! Can't tell you how happy I was to get my mitts on it and the price was more than right :D
-
Is it the 730 Record you mean Lyn?
it is 0_0
(sorry meant to get back to you earlier)
Latest one (830 Record) cost me the vast sum of $10 plus a fee to my service guy
WOW that's brilliant
There not all here any more - they are gradually going back to their new owners. That was just a rare event - like when all the planets line up. :D
-
I think it's easiest to buy and sew with what you know.
Apart from my vintage Singers, I have 2 Husqvarnas. One the 1200 #1 was my Mum's. She swore by them, but of course that was back in the day when they were all made in Sweden. So I umned and ared when looking for a new machine. In the end I went for the Husqvarna Sapphire 930, which also had the attraction of having a third off at SMD. I'm really pleased with it and is now my main machine.
I thought I'd done well getting my excellent condition Featherweight for £50, but £10, more than a bargain :|
-
Coven of Beninas - I like it :D
The coverstitch and the newer overlocker get refereed to as the evil twins. The are all called anything beginning with B depending on how well they are behaving. :S
Berninas now have IDT - copied from Pfaff. :o
The 790 is very powerful, it manage to sew through the stop on a metal zip.
I do use the 730 occasionally - she never throws hissy fits!
I have seen IDT in many posts. Can someone tell me what it stands for?
-
If I could add an IDT to my old Berninas I'd be in heaven but I'm not interested in new computerised machines and could never afford the Bernina model with dual feed even if I were. I have 2 Pfaffs with IDT (one mechanical, one computerised) but they don't have the Bernina magic… so I keep & use them all as needed.
This video gives you a good insight into the IDT & what it can do but it's a selling promotion so you may want to turn the sound down a bit. ;)
http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/About/IDT-System (http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/About/IDT-System)