Bernina 1030 sewing machine

by Ken Ward
(Ashland OR USA)

I bought my Bernina 1030 sewing machine new around 1987. It was used in my business for about 15 years designing and repairing mountaineering and rescue equipment. It has been abused by thousands of repairs with layers of heavy, coated, laminated, glued, dirty, gritty, sandy stuff. I often run heavy bonded nylon thread (even 69 with a bobin and hook set up for it and thread lube).

I have an nice industrial, but it's cumbersome and a flat bed, so there are many things it just isn't well suited to.

It has required surprisingly little maintenance and only recently did it need its first more serious refurb (a hook, needle bar and bushing, tension disks, etc. for about $370).

I have trashed a number of other good machines during this time, but the Bernina has proven to be the best combination of clean consistent fuss free stitching and durability regardless of cost.

I used to feel sorry for the poor little Bernina, 'till I realized it loves to sew... abuse and all. I'll pass this on to my daughter some day.