The sewing machine saga (part 1)

For the last few years we always had an old Singer Tempo sewing machine at our disposal. It usually worked well but sometimes had some weird hickups. Either they were caused by our misusage or maybe missing care. In any case, we mostly managed to get things done. My attempts at repairing it by opening it up and mostly staring at the mechanism didn't really make it sing though.

Recently, our benevolent lender made us understand that the machine was on a long term loan and not a gift. I finally took the time to search for a machine of our own and quite quickly found an interesting ad on Marketplace. A 20 year old Bernina Artista 180. Never having heard of the brand, a quick research showed it being a trusted swiss brand with quite a following.

My interest was piqued as they say.

Now, the machine also came with an add-on embroidery module that you can load your custom designs on with an rs232/serial cable. Also there is an Inkscape based embroidery file authoring tool available: ink\stitch and there is even a (windows only) floss file transfer tool. What more could I ask for. This is like a 3d printer for the textile world and it comes with a hackable toolchain. After watching the original tutorial video by Bernina on youtube, my interest was thoroughly awaken.

I quickly made an appointment with the seller. At his place, I was greeted by an older portuguese guy packing up to leave for Brazil permanently. His elderly mother and him could not be bothered taking a large objects like the Bernina with them. The machine seemed in good order for its age. It sewed very smoothly and had a very nice, precise control to it, very unlikely to the Singer tempo, which accelerated like a race car and allowed little speed control.

I was sold, and well, the machine too.

Coming home with my new treasure, I felt excited like a child on the fortnight of their favourite holiday. I quickly hooked it up, just do be thoroughly disappointed. All the advanced functions didn't work correctly. No proper zig-zag, no sewing of names etc. The machinen would produce messy balls of yarn under the fabric or skip stiches. To make things worse the seller was supposed to leave the day after and I had paid him quite a chunk of money, in cash.

To be continued in part 2.