Sunday, June 17, 2012

Bernina 730 Record

Yesterday we went to one of our favorite thrift stores. Lately, their sewing machines have been higher priced, compared to what they used to be, but I thought I would look anyway. My blood pressure rose dramatically when I saw this!
Bernina kenmore 001
I knew, I just knew (I just HOPED) it was a sewing machine, but at this point, I didn’t know what kind. I think my heart started pounding faster and I might have started hyperventilating when I saw this!
Bernina kenmore 005
Oh my GOODNESS, Oh my GOODNESS! A BERNINA!!!!! It did NOT have a price tag on it, but I promptly put it in my cart anyway! Upon further inspection, I saw that it was a Bernina 730 Record!!
Louie wondered what I was getting so excited about, and I told him how I had read how popular these machines were. I never thought I would get my hands on a Bernina! These photos were after the sale and cleanup and overhaul, of course, because I did not have my camera with me, and I was in too much of a hurry to get out of the store with my treasure. I asked him to pretty please get someone to PRICE this for me while I guarded the cart, so we could escape before anyone tried to tackle me.
Bernina kenmore 006
Sometimes, depending on what store we are in, and who is working, if the item is not priced, they will tell you they need to have it taken back to the workroom and put through the process again, so ‘I can’t sell this to you. Come back another day’. Oh, I was praying it wasn’t so. Thank Goodness GOODWILL is easier to get along with, and the lady we asked, marked it for us. Rolling on the floor laughing I could hardly contain myself!
Bernina kenmore 007
It didn’t come without a few problems though. It was built in 1964, so it was ‘gummed up’ in a few places and things did not want to work as they should. Well, it is 48 years old, I guess. It also did not have a manual, but I found a free one online, printed it, and it was a huge help in getting the ‘kinks’ out as it explained what knobs and levers did what. So with a little heat and persuasion, my new best friend Mr. Blow Dryer helped me get things moving again too.
hair dryer
Bernina didn’t come with many accessories. There were lots of needles, but only the all purpose foot on the machine, and a zipper foot. I don’t really require a lot of feet, but a nice 1/4” foot would be nice and maybe a stippling foot. IRONICALLY, the very first store we stopped at, I picked up this Buttonholer for a friend of mine, and guess what was in the box? A BERNINA presser foot converter adapter! Who knew? Kind of spooky….
Bernina kenmore 009
It works perfectly! Can you see it with my open toe low shank foot attached to it next to the bobbin on the far left? I went downstairs to my ‘spares’ box and pulled out these extra accessories to fill my Bernina drawers
accessories for Bernina 001
bernina drawers 001
bernina drawers 002
Does anyone recognize this fabric? It is from the Kansas City Troubles line. There are two yards here. Total for two yards? 65 Cents! I love it!
Bernina kenmore 010
I found another Kenmore yesterday for the SMP, and one that isn’t in good shape, but time will tell if I can fix it. The Bernina, however is mine. I’m going to keep it.
Hope your Sunday is wonderful. Louie is recuperating from a week long bout of upset, sour stomach. He missed one day of work already, because of it. He hasn’t kicked it yet. Hopefully taking it easier today will help. I always worry about him when he gets sick, because it isn’t often, thank the Lord!

20 comments:

  1. I believe in finding that Bernina was a blessing from God in you collecting and delivering all those machine to "The Sewing Machine Project". Plus getting it for that price is wonderful. Hope Louie gets to feeling better real soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That was a great find, Michelle!! I agree, I think I would hold on to this machine; it does sound like a special one to do so! Hope Louie feels better soon!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great find and then finding the Bernina presser foot converter adapter in the Buttonholer box says that this machine was meant to be yours!!Enjoy!!

    Hope your dh feels better real soon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Now you're talking my language!! :) Congrats on the Bernina!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would have been thrilled too Michelle! I'd love to have a Bernina but even if I found one at Goodwill it wouldn't help me because I don't know up from down when it comes to taking things apart. And putting them back together - not happening. :) blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great find! Congratulations! How do you like sewing on this gem now that it is all cleaned up?

    ReplyDelete
  7. what a find...but then, you do seem to do that!! Nothing like a Bernina to me...and love those little drawers on the back side....

    ReplyDelete
  8. congrats on the Bernina. It was meant to be yours after you found the converter adapter. Love the fabric. Hope Louie feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. congrats on finding a vintage Bernina and what a great price! Holy smokes Michelle, the sewing machine angels were smiling down on you. Hope Louie feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awesome find!!! I'm glad you are keeping this one for yourself. I love the large table bed it has!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congrats on an AWESOME SCORE!

    Enjoy your Berina!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Michelle, I'm so happy for you to find a machine like that! Wonderful!! I know it will have a good home at your place. I hope Louie is feeling better soon. Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hope Lou is feeling better! Wow on the Bernina.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have a "dumb" question. What is the piece with all the spindles?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congrats on finding this Bernina and what a great price!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great new machine. Have fun with it. We were busy all day long, and late into the evening. I did get to hit a few sales on Friday, but, nothing memorable was found. Just a few things for the boys. Hope Louie is all better now (and that you don't get it).

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats on the Bernina! It looks very similar to the one my Mom had, and which I learned to sew. I think hers was a little newer,a 630. Years later, it still ran like a top, my Dad gave it to my cousin after Mom passed,and she made alot a Linus quilts on it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am sooo jealous! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just read your post of June 17, 2012 about the Bernina 730 Record. I was searching the internet for anyhting aobut these vintage machines. I recently acquired one myself (at a good price, too!) You mentioned the open toe foot: I was wondering you are able to do free motion with it? I haven't been able to get mine to anything but straight stitching. (The zigzag stitches work just fine.) I'd heard somewhere that I should be able to free motion quilt with it. I'd appreciate hearing from you.
    Thanks,
    Pam
    kinderpam@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy your comments, but if you ask a question, I cannot reply to you if you are a NO-REPLY blogger and do not supply an email address. If you need a reply to your comment, please find the 'Contact Me' button on the right side bar of my blog, which will supply you with a fresh new email for you to compose and send, then I will reply as quickly as I can. Thank you for stopping by.


LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...