This is a good machine for the home sewer who does mostly light weight work. If you plan to do a lot of major sewing with bulky, heavy fabrics such as wool coats or draperies, this probably is not the machine you will want. Stitch Performance This machine makes a good seam for the most part. The only problem I had was the bobbin case screw comes loose from time to time which makes the bobbin tension drop quite a lot so I would have to take out the last seam and tighten the screw and redo it. It didn't happen too often though. Ease of Use Very easy to use except for button holes and high speed sewing. The button hole foot is not very user friendly as it doesn't grip the fabric like a slider would so it is much harder to make a neat button hole. If you are like me and when going straight you want to floor it, this machine will start doing a little dance on your table and start twisting. You might want to put grips under it if you really want to go fast a lot. Fabric Handling Great with typical lighter weight apparel fabrics and such. Versatility This machine will have no problem doing most kinds of sewing work. I would not recommend it for heavy wool coats or other very heavy or bulky weight projects. Design Good, but a little more plastic than I would like. I want a machine that's nice and heavy with lots of metal to keep it weighted down on the table. Durability This is a reasonably durable machine as long as it isn't used for anything too heavy duty. It won't do well if subjected to excess bulk as it really doesn't have the power for it.

MyBalletFund

USA

i have been sewing on this machine for 25 years and havent had any trouble and it is the best machine for covering cord for piping that i have ever sewed on. i have sewn heavy drapes and heirloom dresses. Stitch Performance beautiful stiches Ease of Use easy to use and good choice for a beginner. Fabric Handling fabric feeds very well. Versatility can sew heavy weight or fine fabrics Design lite weight and easy to transport.

bethoverstree

USA

We bought this Bernina 1000 over 10 years ago.  It is sturdy and relatively easy to use.  Berninas are so reliable, this is even the machine the kids use in their clothing class at school.  I haven't had any problems with it in all the time I've owned this machine.  Now, it's nothing fancy.  It won't do letters or quilting or fancy embroidery, but if you want a basic machine for sewing clothing or if you are a crafter, you should consider this machine for your at home use. 

superpaige

American Fork, UT

Eleven years ago my husband was looking for something to give me for our first Christmas as a married couple. He had heard me talk about my mom's Bernina - but since she was still using it, he needed to look elsewhere. He ended up finding a used **Bernina 1000 Special** - about as basic a machine as Bernina makes, but totally adequate for simple sewing. I couldn't have been happier with his decision and purchase! Eleven years later my **Bernina 1000** is still going strong.   If you're looking for something that does more than a few basic stitch patterns, then you're going to want to look at some of the more expensive machines. However, if you want to be able to sew the basic straight stitch (large or small), zigzag (long, short, wide, narrow), and a few variations on the zigzag, then this is the machine for you!   I have used my **Bernina 1000 Special** to make pillowcases, quilts, aprons, tablecloths and more. It is more than adequate for simple (and not so simple) sewing jobs and has held up well over the years. I like that there is never going to be an issue with a computer board going bad because everything is manual. If I want a wider and longer zigzag pattern, I adjust it by rotating a knob. Even adding thread to a bobbin is a simple as a few turns of the side knob and pushing the foot peddle.   I have had some issues with the bobbin pulling the main thread through and I end up with one of two things happening:   1. I have three threads when I get to the end of my stitch 2. When I flip the fabric over there is a MESS on the back (threads everywhere)  I have taken the machine into my local Bernina shop and they make it work again, but I'm a bit frustrated by the fact that this happens and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to why. My husband is a mechanic and he hasn't been able to figure it out either. That would be my biggest complaint about the **Bernina 1000 Special** - but since it doesn't happen very often, I can live with it! I would still happily recommend the **1000** to anyone who is looking for a basic sewing machine that will last for many, many years. My mom has a slightly fancier Bernina and it's over 25 years old now and still going strong. If it weren't for the thread/bobbin issue, I would give it 5 stars.   

BusyNothings

Elizabethton, TN