Meet the Machines

In the Learn It Stitch It Studio our preferred machine brand is Bernina. That's a preference purely based on a long experience (30 years and counting) of reliability and feedback from my students on how easy and simple a Bernina is to use - especially for those people just starting out with machine sewing. So that's not say there are not lots of other brands, because there are and you'll see as you read this post some advice for what you should be looking for if you're looking to get your own machine or upgrading. 

So, let me introduce you to some of the Learn It Stitch team of machines...

This is the Bernina Sport which I bought from Ebay some years ago as an addition to the Learn It Stitch It Studio. This machine does no fancy stitches, its a straight forward, no nonsense machine. Its proved to be really popular with Students that have been new to sewing due to its simplicity and ease of use. Although quite an old machine it behaves and operates just like a brand new one. 

This machine is the Bernina 1130S...a stalwart in the Learn It Stitch It Studio and purchased by me over 30 years ago for a business I had  at the time. During the course of that business this machine made over 200 wedding dresses and is still going strong today. The machine is regularly serviced and versus a domestic machine is a true workhorse. 

Even though the 1130s can do a selection of fancy stitches. its mostly been used for straight & zig-zag stitches and blind hemming - and it does all those effortlessly.  

Pretty every student has to use the Overlocker in the Learn It Stitch It Studio and this Bernina is a super machine that never lets anyone down. 

Here's the new kid on the block...a Bernina 790 which is a more recent upgrade to a previous embroidery machine I had in the Studio. This machine has over 700 different stitches and there are many others that can be downloaded from the internet and uploaded to the machine - all of which come part of a great piece of software that comes with the machine. I'm still learning with this machine and everyday I find something new, or get better at something or enjoy just having a play and creating something from an idea in my head. I've just finished an embroidered cushion as a gift and the many different stitches on the machine allowed to me to make it look really individual.  

Students have used the machine as well, more recently Gabe from our Wednesday Boys Sewing Night. He branded two Polo shirts with a logo for one of his work projects. 

Here's a fleece I created with the Bernina 790...its a memory of my time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 2017. I'm also going to make a green one for this years event as well. 

My advice to people regarding a machine is always thinking about what you'll use it for, because having an all singing all dancing machine is great, but if you only end up using 50% of its capabilities, you could of doubtless spent less. And remember that a machine that's good for quilting, might not be great for dress making. Do your research first and once you do find your ideal machine...enjoy it! :)

Thank you for checking in, I'll look forward sharing more very soon. 

Naomi x