I think my sewing machine has died. My lovely mechanical Bernina bought when I was about 15 and doing Textiles and Design at school. It’s a bit sad. It has lasted me nearly 25 years, but I don’t think it’s under warranty any more. 😉
Yesterday morning I realised that my daughter and I were probably going to spend the day each wanting to use my sewing machine. So I borrowed my sister’s, which is exactly the same machine, so that we could each sew. We never actually needed to use a machine concurrently during the day, so my sister’s machine is still waiting to be used.
We each did quite a bit of sewing on our dresses, though I held The Reader up a bit by having to finally finish off re-drafting/altering the skirt part of hers.
Last night I was sitting on the lounge thinking, “I really should sew that seam,” but I couldn’t be bothered – it was extremely hot yesterday! My husband and I were each sitting on the other side of the room from the sewing machine. It was plugged in and turned on, but not being used.
Suddenly, we heard sparking, sputtering noises from the machine. There was a horrible electric-y smell and smoke started coming out of the machine. I raced over to it, and unplugged it. I hurriedly took it outside so that if it was going to catch on fire, it wouldn’t do it in the house. When it had cooled and the smoke dissipated, I brought it back inside.
I’m sad. It’s my wonderful Bernina 1030 machine. Hopefully it will be able to be fixed, though I’m not particularly hopeful. I’ll ring the machine-servicing fellow this morning, and hopefully he’ll be still able to take a look at it before Christmas – something I also doubt!
I have already chosen the machine I’d like to replace it with, if I need to, simply because I had already chosen the machine I’d like to buy The Reader, further down the track. It’s the Bernina 1008, which is the current mechanical model. I don’t want any of this computerised stuff. I just want a good, serviceable, workhorse machine that will last me a lifetime. Like this one was supposed to. 🙁
Public schools in Australia generally have Bernina sewing machines (maybe private schools too, but I wouldn’t know!), so moving between the machine at home and the one at school was seamless (sorry!) for me when I was at school, and has been for The Reader as well. And it says a great deal about the quality of a machine for it to be the one chosen for use in schools, which is what the Bernina 1008 model is generally used for.
Hopefully I’ll have an answer on the health of my machine before the end of the year, so that I can order a new one if I have to, at this year’s prices, rather than next year’s.
This was me using my beloved Bernina machine a few weeks ago at the gym. I had to adjust the tensioning straps of the new sprung floor as it was being installed, because we’d made some changes and they were now too long. By sewing them rather than cutting them, they would be completely recoverable when the gym wants to upgrade to a new floor one day, and sell the old one. Because the straps were already attached to one side of the floor, I had to position a table with my machine on the sprung floor to do the adjusting. I’ve never sewn on a sprung floor before – it was very bouncy! I’m glad to have a photo of me using my machine.
My husband did point out to me that I’ve had many good years of service from my machine, which is quite true, but I did hope that it would last me forever. And you never know, it may still be able to be fixed. I’m glad I have my sister’s machine to use so we can keep sewing, but I don’t want to kill it as well!
Sad news but it had a good long life! Thank goodness no one was sewing on it when it blew! Perhaps if you must get a new one, you will be able to take advantage of the sales that happen after Christmas?
Hi Yvette. A similar thing happened to my 25 year old beloved mechanical Husqvarna several years ago. A capacitor in the motor had died and was a 10 minute fix by my engineer husband. In my case there was not only an electrical burning smell but then the machine started working while I was in the next room! Apparently age and use caused the capacitor to short circuit after several hours sewing had caused it to get hot. A replacement capacitor has made it as good as new, though now it’s always turned off when not in use! Let’s hope the fix Is as easy for your machine.
Thanks Jeanine and Elizabeth. I’m feeling a little more hopeful about the possibility of it being fixed, so your positive story is a good encouragement, Elizabeth.
My mum brought around the paperwork from when I bought the machine. It was 18th January 1988 – it’s nice to have the date! It has a 30 year warranty on the mechanical parts, but only 2 on the motor, which it is likely to be.
In 1988, the Bernina 1030 cost exactly the same amount as the RRP for the equivalent machine, 25 years later – the Bernina 1008. Wow! You pay for quality.
Jeanine, I want a mechanical machine, and unfortunately it doesn’t go on special. But I’m hoping very much not to have to buy one!
I am quite confident you can get your machine fixed. Bernina is a wonderful company and they really care for their customers. If I were you, I would do everything possible to have the damaged motor replaced and a good service done. My Elna was bought in 1972 and I only stopped using it earlier this year. I still have it but can not find anyone here to fix the tension. If I go to the big city by car I could take it with me, but not by plane I think.
So I bought a Bernina. Unfortunately the shop where I bought my Bernina closed and the owner went to work in a mine. Help is now via the computer and the phone. Nevertheless, I have found the Bernina people to be really lovely to deal with and I think you will too. One of the benefits is that you and your sister have matching models and could interchange attachments.
Dear Yvette
I bought my Bernina machine in 1963 and it has given me perfect stitching for all of those years until early this year it did the same as yours and started up by itself in another room and burnt itself out.. I was so sad thinking I would have to buy a new one. But no, I took it to a service centre and they fixed it up to work as good as new, didn’t cost an arm and a leg and I still love it! So I am sure yours will be able to be fixed 🙂
I enjoy reading your blog and look forward to keeping up with the news next year
Beat wishes to you and your family for a wonderful Christmas,
Isabel
I’ve got a Singer XL1 (made by Juki for Singer) – I bought it in the early 90s, so it’s almost as old as yours. I’m considering buying a new machine this year – I want to look at the Juki 600. Juki normally manufacture industrial machines, but the 6oo is a domestic machine, and much cheaper than the Bernina. I’ve been very happy with my XL1, and I’ve heard the 600 is a great machine too.
My backup is an elderly 700 series Bernina – I also use it for free-motion embroidery.