Doulbe blanket stitch on vintage models?

[Pam D.]

I am looking on ebay for a preloved Bernina. I can only afford the older models, 707, Vintage 730, old 830 1020 are the kind that I have been looking at. They always say decorative stitches in the description. I am looking for one that will do a double blanket stitch , like the one Ricky uses fro his applique. Can anyone please tell me if the older models do that stitch rather than a single Blanket stitch. Any help would be gratefully received. Thank you in advance. Pam

[Jocelyn W.]

Pam

My 1978 model "830" does not have any blanket stitch - single or double. It is one of only a few things it lacks that keeps me
thinking about purchasing a new/newer machine. The 'needle down' function is another. I'll never let go of this machine
because it runs so smoothly and has been part of me for so long. There are any number of new, inexpensive machines that
have both of these functions. Also, somewhat newer Berninas will and with all the new models Bernina has introduced,
dealers may have some good used machines with the functions you are looking for at a price somewhat below what they have
fetched before the last year.

All the best,

[Jocelyn W.]

Pam

Well, I couldn't leave the problem alone! Believe that Bernina #1260 may be the first with a real blanket stitch. Prior, there was a stitch that
had a satin stitch with 2 stitches that would throw to the left. Very solid, but, combined with the satin stitch (even set very narrowly) would
probably not be what you are looking for.

I went to the berninausa.com site; on the left at the top is a link for 'support,' there you can find "out of print" manuals. Each will show the
stitches and functions. While the quality of the copy is not great, it is readable.

There is a 1260 currently listed on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bernina-1260...item3f130ee329 Price at the moment is $399.99 US. This is close to what an 830 would
be offered at.

Hope this helps a tiny bit, I had fun!

[Pam D.]

Jocelyn, thank you. I have spent a long time on the Bernina website and didn't find the 'out of print manuals' I will have a look at it. I am in UK so the practicalities of buying from the US ebay site are difficult, but I am searching the UK website for a machine as well as locally.

[Jocelyn W.]

Pam, I did note your location. Also, these older machines do not feature a double blanket stitch, even the single
did not appear until the 1260. Do not know if the Bernina web site will show contents of manuals later than the
1260 (the last 'out of print' model listed.) Just sent you the eBay link so that you could see what the
price might be for that model. Hope prices in UK are same or better. Good luck!

[Pam D.]

Jocelyn, Thank you. I've checked the Bernina UK website and they dont have any out of print manuals to look at. I am just trying all avenues to get any information that I can.

[Rita C.]

Pam, I know nothing about Bernina sewing machines, except that they are unbelievable expensive here in Ireland. My Pfaff Expression 2 does have a double blanket stitch though as well as needle-down. Just thought you might like an alternative comparison. Not that I am necessarily recommending my machine it's just that it does have the stitch you were looking for. My Pfaff select 4 doesn't have a blanket stitch at all or needle-down but I do love it as both a piecing and FMQ machine.

[Pam D.]

Thank you Rita, I know that Berninas are expensive, which is why I was hoping to get an older one preloved. My Elna machine is great for piecing etc but it doesn't have a good applique stitch. As I am making a Rhapsody quilt I would really really like to be able to do the double blanket stitch. Perhaps I can get so far and then wait until my 60th birthday in a years time. I am dropping very heavy hints to DH about wanting a slightly more expensive present for such a milestone birthday :wink: :wink: :wink:

Thank you for reminding me, though that there are other machines out there with the stitch I want at a more affordable price.

[Sherry B.]

Pam, I don't know when the machines started having the double blanket stitch, butmy 170QE has it. I love that machine and just used it to do a beautiful double blanket stitch on the quilt I am currently making. Why don't you try pricing that one and see if it will fit in your budget. :-)

[Pam D.]

THank you Sherry, that is really helpful. I will start looking :-)

[Sherry B.]

The QE means Quilters Edition. It had some differnt stitches for quilting, so be sure you are pricing the QE and not a regular 170 :-)

[Hannelore N.]

Pam, http://www.sewingmachinebox.co.uk/used-machines.aspx sold a 170QE for £499. Maybe it's worth getting in touch with them and ask them to let you know if/when they get another one in.

[Pam D.]

Lorchen, thank you for that link. :-)

[Pam D.]

I followed Lorchen's advice and started to look at UK Bernina dealers webistes with the intention of contacting them as I knew that used Bernina machines are like gold dust and it could take a long time to find what I wanted. I found a 'coming soon' post on http://www.franknutt.co.uk which has only just gone on. I contacted them immediately and am now the proud owner of a preloved Bernina Virtuosa 153QE. It is a good 10 years old but it does the most AWESOME double blanket stitch for my applique and I LOVE it! I am doing the happy dance today! DH bought this for me for my 60th birthday next January, but I am allowed to have it now. He is a keeper.

[Sherry B.]

That is excellent, Pam! I have a friend here who is looking for a machine that does a double blanket stitch, so I will tell her to check that out :-)