Meet Bernie:
Thanks to Phyllis, about once a month I trawl the local Craigslist listings. I look for industrial machines, hoping against hope that someone in Massachusetts will want to get rid of a Reece buttonholer for less than $100. No luck so far, but today, I saw a listing for a very well-priced Bernina Activa 125. Gigi, Phyllis and Leslie all rave about their Berninas, and everyone I know says the Bernina buttonhole is second to none, so I contacted the lady who was selling and arranged to go see it.
Now here’s the fun thing. It turns out that she and her husband grew up in my town, and they know a bunch of our neighbors. She works for the hospital in my town, and probably drives by my street on a regular basis. Once we all realized none of us was CL serial killers, we had a great time talking. And score! I got a gorgeous, barely used Bernina for a killer price.
Top it off with the fact that the Pats won, and it’s been a pretty good day around Ann-land.
Happy sewing!
Great buy!
Congrats on the score! I have the Bernina Activa 240 and I just love it. They are such good machines!
Too funny … I live over in Bedford and saw that listing (I trawl for vintage Singers). I knew that machine would go quickly at that price. Happy it has gone to a nice home where it will be loved and appreciated.
You have a lovely machine. Using the right sewing machine foot will bring about amazing results. I love my invisible zipper foot. Enjoy, Mary
Lucky you! I wish I’d seen this first, though…
Do you have a store in Mass? I would love to see it and show off the dress I made with some of your fabric!
We don’t have a store front, Alison – we’re internet only. But maybe we can do a Gorgeous Fabrics meetup so folks can show off their Gorgeous Creations. That would be fun!
This should be a great addition to the herd! When I was looking at machines in the mid-late(?) 80s, the decision came to a Viking (don’t recall which one now) and a Bernina 1020. I went with the Bernina based on buttonholes. Then I traded it in for a Viking about 15 years ago, thinking more decorative stitches would be good. Not that I regret the Viking, but did regret not having the 1020, so when I found a used 1030, I snatched it up.
Enjoy the 125!
I am SO envious. How awesome.
Nice machine! The Quilt and Sew Expo are coming to Baltimore and I plan on going *just* to test drive sewing machines.
I must not have been looking the day you found this! I am always on craigslist looking for some sewing treasures, but nothing! Oh, about a year ago, there was an ad for over a 100 vintage patterns from 60′s, 70′s and 80′s, for $50.00. The ad also stated there was designer patterns in the lot, score, so I thought. The ad stated they were her MIL’s. I am a fool for 60′s and 70′s patterns, not so much 80. My greedy self thought, even if there is only 3 or 4 designers from the 60′s and 70′s it would be worth it. Well, there was 1 pattern from the 60′s, 2 or 3 from the 70′s, so 96 of them were from the 80′s! Dogs I tell ya, dogs! Awful! There was 1 pattern with a name on it, but it was certainly not designer! To think I wasted $50.00 on these dogs when I could have spent 50.00 on fabric @ gorgeous fabrics! Yes, I am sour on craigslist, but I am very happy for you Ann! !
Hugs
~Valerie
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Great score! I’ve been sewing on a 130 for YEARS! They’re amazing workhorses. Even when I upgrade, I’ll never get rid of it.