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| Bernina:1130 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 1021 time(s) |
3 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 4 people | | Reviewed by: | johnr55 | About johnr55 | | TX USA | | Member since: 3/22/08 | | Reviews written: 23 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 2 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 11 | | Bio: Freehand machine embroiderer and freehand quilter since early 80's, virtually no garment sewing. Healthcare manager, sewing work is a hobby. No interest in computerized embroidery machines out now--I ...full profile |
| | Posted on: | 3/22/08 5:55 PM | | Approx price paid: | $1400 | | Had this machine for: | 10 years | | Recommended? | Yes |  | Features
- Computerized
- Needle Threader
- Needle Up/Down Setting
- Embroidery Stitches
- One step buttonhole
- Free Arm
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
| | What johnr55 likes about this machine
Typical Bernina quality of construction and operation.
I have owned this machine for 10 years, having inherited it from my mother upon her death. She bought it new in the late 80's. I have a 1031 (see my review), but when I would visit her from out of town I would use her 1130. I owned an Elna 7000 computer machine at the time, but unlike the 7000, the 1130 offers virtually infinitely adjustable stitch width--very important for tapering stitches, etc., in freehand work. I know the 1130 has a whole pile of the computer options that the newer generation machines offers, but honestly I haven't used them. I have used the one-step buttonhole on occasion and it works flawlessly. I know when I first started using the 1130 heavily for freehand embroidery, where one might run the machine for extended periods at high speed on zigzag settings, I was concerned that this might wear out the stepper motor that moves the needle. No, never had a problem at all with it in hundred of hours of work. Unlike the newer machines with their LCD's, the 1130 uses little red lights for the settings. I much prefer this as it's easier for me to read. I also wonder about the life of these LCD's--I have one on my Activa. I own a bunch of sewing machines, but the 1130 will be a keeper for me, just like the 1031. The blessing of Bernina machines is their resale value also. If I'm going to pay a lot for a machine, it's rather like buying a car. I don't want its value to drop to next to nothing in a couple of years. I own a couple of cheap Japanese machines, to take when I won't take a Bernina somewhere, but I don't deceive myself that they are in the Bernina class. Go anywhere in the world and a Bernina is recognized as quality. And with good reason. What johnr55 does not like about this machine
No way around it--these machines are HEAVY! I purchased my Activa to travel with because this machine, particularly in its hard cover, is also quite bulky. Not really a drawback, but not something most women (and I'm a strong man) would want to just throw in the back seat of the car. No way around the price of Bernina feet, either. I love my Elna snap-on feet, though. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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| Reader Comments | | mollyshark | 3/22/08 | I still have mine from, gosh, 30 years ago maybe. I have a 3-yr-old 200 also and seriously, I'm thinking of selling the 200 and going back to my 1130. I use two main stitches..straight and the blind hem stitch, and the 1130 outperforms the 200 on those hands down. I have a dedicated embroidery machine, so that isn't an issue. I bought the 200 partly for the buttonholes because admittedly the 1130 has a tendency to forget the buttonhole settings after 2 or 3 in a series, but that can be dealt with. I just can't find anything that competes with the 1130 stitches. As far as the heaviness? I have a Janome hello kitty I use for classes. Seriously. Great fun. | | * * * | | MarilynB | 3/23/08 | I have had my 1130 since 1988 when they first came out and am still using it as my main sewing machine. It is easy to operate and I have never had a problem with it other than the buttonhole issue that Mollyshark mentioned. I get around that by just not using the automatic buttonhole and just accurately mark the length and position of the buttonholes instead which works out fine for me. | | * * * | | Celeste | 3/24/08 | I just got my 1130 on ebay almost a month ago. We bonded closely as soon as I plugged it in. What a G-R-E-A-T machine! Too bad Bernina, knowing how popular this series of machines is, won't set up a line to make these machines again. They would outsell anything if made to original specs. | | * * * | | Peggyv | 3/31/08 | I had been wanting one of these Berninas when they first came out about 20 years ago, but I was young and couldn't afford it. I finally got one two years ago on Ebay and I love it. I was a little afraid to get a used machine but these Berninas were so well built they still run perfectly after many years. | | * * * |
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