This cute Bernina was produced in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I found it at the Goodwill, hiding inside a nondescript sewing machine cabinet. The power cord was missing, so I couldn’t try out the motor, but it was only $20 and I could always return it if it didn’t work. When I got home, I managed to find an old extension cord that fit, and the thing actually sewed. After investing $120 to get it cleaned up, oiled and calibrated, it’s working perfectly.
It’s so nice to have a second machine, especially when you’re working on a project that requires a lot of thread changing. Another happy coincidence is that this machine uses the same feet as my Bernina 1000. It has a zig-zag stitch and a few others — also very similar to my other Bernina. Gordon constructed a nice extension for me, and I even located an original manual and some new bobbins.
It’s smallish compared to my free-arm Bernina, but it weighs a lot more at 33 lbs. It’s sort of an anti-featherweight, and does an especially nice job sewing through heavier fabrics. My very favorite thing, though, is the super cool, two-toned, avocado green paint job.
avocado green paint job…… yep – you are looking at 60’s……. I had avacado green everything, well, except for a Bernina… fun
That’s a lucky find. I have heard that the older Berninas are work horses.
What an awesome find! It’s always risky picking up items that plug in from thrift stores. My Goodwill won’t let you return anything!
I love that my vintage Kenmore’s use the same bobbins and feet that my little Bernette does! Love your cute avocado machine!
What a great find! The extension looks very professional! Those old machines are heavy, but they do work hard!
Hey, I like that better than the new Bernina’s! That is DARLING! Gosh you find the cutest stuff.
What a cute machine! And how nice that it found a good home. 🙂
Wow, love that machine! It’s GORGEOUS!!! The color is so fab 🙂
Hi Martha- That is one irresistible little machine! It has so much personality it looks like it is smiling and saying” look who I ended up with…am I lucky or what?”
The ‘anti= featherweight’. Great comment!
What a great find! She looks like a good, sturdy, little work horse? I love the extension table. I’ve never sewn with a Bernina..but most people that have tried them seem to stay with the brand? That says something. 😉
I got an old Singer 15-91 that’s gear driven rather than belt driven. It has great harp space. I haven’t taken it in to be cleaned and the grease pots replaced, etc. but I will. It sews ok but I’m sure she needs a bit of TLC before doing any thing more than a few test stitches?
It is cute! What a great find, Martha! It’s awesome that you already have the feet for the machine.
I am from south Africa and bought a secondhand bernina favorit for my wife about 20 years ago. I bought it because my my mother had the same machine and did anything on it from dressmaking to upholstery when she bought it the machine came with a cabinet with a food pedal we later upgraded it to work with a electric motor and I can remember that I had to make steel brakets for the motor to fit. When my mother moved to a smaller home about 10 years ago she gave the machine to a nice and she gave the cabinet to me. My wife never used – she bought a nice new macine and dit not hav the time to do a lot of sewing. I am tacking it for a service and going to use it. We are nearing retirement and she started quilting, dressmaking and embroidering. We even bought a macine quilt frame and I am looking for a good secondhand long arm macine to use on the frame. I am sure that my 20 year old investment will pay off.
What a cutie pie!
Stumbled upon your site after searching for an owners manual. Sigh, no luck sofar.
Found a lovely old lady, who is in perfect working condition.
Bernina Furritt 540
Where can I get one? Would be so delighted if you could point me in the right direction.
Enjoy the creativity!
I have the same but bernina 740-2 industrie.
My mother baught it in 1965 and used it for 30 years as a professional tailer and then it remained un use for another 20 years.
I cleaned and oiled it and it was ready to rum like horse so now in my use,i love it really.
Though I have new bernina 950 but i love to use 740.