Friday, July 16, 2010

Still finding reasons to be in love...

I discovered the overlock stitch on my beloved new Bernina has more uses than as a slow, non-trimming option for sewing stretch fabrics. (I'm used to an industrial overlocker, and I don't think you can beat that stitch on knit fabrics).

No need for more OFMK* mismatched overlocking thread on wovens!!! On pesky little seams, this stitch looks for all the world like I actually took the time to finish things properly ...and doesn't require re-threading any machines. I'm in love.


And can someone please tell me how I survived all these years without an automatic buttonhole stitch?




Of course, these stitches are not exclusive to whizzy new Berninas - they're just new to me. The overlock stitch on my old Singer was never as fast or as neat (and I've never had a computerised machine before so I'm a bit gadget-struck). I'm also prone to gushing about things I like.... especially this machine.

18 comments:

our shabby cottage said...

Everyone I know, who has a Bernina, loves it. Glad you love yours!!!

Fiona said...

I'm going to confess now to sewing machine envy! My machine was top of the line in its day (25 years ago) but I can't really justify a new machine just yet (I didn't use it much for 20+ years!!)

Your Bernina sounds fabulous!

Beck said...

Excitement! How fun to have a new sewing machine that makes life easier in so many ways. Yay for you! x

Sophie said...

I L-O-V-E those button-hole-gadget-thingys!!! They make button holes easy and not-so-scary... My old Janome had one but my (low-end) Bernina doesn't and I miss it!!

seabreezequilts said...

And they work even better when you clean and oil them. I am quilting at the moment and it was getting noisier and noisier. Went to change the bobbin and there was heaps of lint, was going to do a quick clean and shut the door but decided I had better check under the throat plate OMG what a mess. So thorough clean and oil and it sounds like it has just been serviced again. I LOVE MY 440.

ambette said...

I've got a low end Bernina (Bernette) machine - it's got the auto button hole feature (which I've not used yet) and a whole bunch of stitches which I also haven't used.

I think I should start exploring the capabilities of my machine.

Melanie said...

:) I wanted a Bernina, but I wanted the bells and whistles more, so when it came down to a Brother with or a Bernina without, I ended up with a Brother. I do so like bells and whistles!

Erika Mulvenna said...

I also have (and love) a Bernina 440QE. Tell me - have you played with the BSR yet? Talk about heaven...

willywagtail said...

I love the overlock stitch on my brother too. Unfortunately the foot that makes it look super professional was broken by my uneducated 16 year old (not really her fault) and I haven't been able to replace it. Cherrie

Fer said...

I think all Bernina owners tend to gush more than a little bit! I do love the overlock stitch on the machine, except for how quickly it uses up the bobbin thread. :/

Karen said...

Hmmm - maybe I should investigate my overlocker stitch more closely... I have to confess Nikki I haven't 'made' a buttonhole since high school, one-step buttonholes are so easy, no wonder you are in love!

Karen said...

Hmmm - maybe I should investigate my overlocker stitch more closely... I have to confess Nikki I haven't 'made' a buttonhole since high school, one-step buttonholes are so easy, no wonder you are in love!

Jennie said...

I adore the buttonholing on my Bernette. So perfect, every time!

melissa said...

ooooh have you got a 440? Ive been fantasising about one of these lately. I would have to trade in all of my sewing machines for one. Are they as good as the sound? and have you used the BSR? I just made one of your hats and blogged it, love your patterns they are fantastic!

Kathy P said...

I love my Bernina too. Lots of great features, but one my my favs is the knee lift. I use it all the time, so I can keep both hands on my project.

sooz said...

And does your wind a bobbin automatically - as in no need to press the foot pedal? You press a button and then go make a cup of tea and come back and it is done?! And the scissors that snip the threads off? Let's just say I'm sharing the gadget love with my new machine. Not a patch on yours but terrific to me.

Nikki said...

Yep- LOVE the bobbin winder!! Love the needle-up/needle down control in the foot pedal, love the knee lift, love the BSR (it's inspired a non-quilty chick like me to start playing around with quilty things!) and love all the fancy-schmantzy stitches.

I also love the super-duper motor and the wide throat on the machine - it's so much more capable of heavy-duty sewing than any other domestic machine I've used.

I think I'm just a bit besotted with the machine, generally.

thezenofmaking said...

I hear you on the button hole stitch! I had a similar "Ah-ha!" moment when I realized that my machine could sew buttons. That, let me tell you, was a beautiful, beautiful day.