Bernina Nova 900

Here's one I don't see very often.

The Bernina Nova 900 is a full-sized machine but light and portable.  Both functionally and aesthetically it is similar to both the 807 and the 830 in that it's intended to be carried either in its case or out and has limited stitch options, but has the size and strength of a larger machine.  The free arm is quite narrow, making construction of small and/or rounded items precise.  The integrated handle is large and well-placed for balancing the machine (and case) as is the large, tapered hand wheel.  All functions are easily accessed and where you'd expect them to be.

• Mechanical; no chip sets or motherboard
• Oscillating vertical hook
• 1.0 amp
• Five needle positions, center at three
• Seven total stitch patterns
• Five-step built-in buttonhole function
• Reverse  
• Steel cam stack
• Length and width adjustment
• Feed dog drop
• Automatic bobbin winder
• Thread tension adjustment
• Lamp
• Thread cutter

 In addition to the machine itself are included:

• Bed extension plate
• Clam shell-style carry case
• Nine total Bernina presser feet
• Sewing tool set
• Darning/embroidery hoop
• Model 900 manual and My Bernina guide
• Foot pedal

I purchased this machine from an online seller, the wife of the owner who left her five years ago and didn't take the machine with him.  She doesn't sew and simply wanted the (large and surprisingly cheaply constructed) cabinet out of her life.  The cabinet is hefty but I'm getting rid of it as the machine has its own case.  The cabinet had been sitting in her living room for five years without being moved or opened and the contents were very dusty but not particularly dirty.  Cleaning everything took only two hours.  There are two prominent paint dings on the handle from the cabinet lid (and the several blog posts and YouTube vids I saw indicates this is a common problem), some very light surface scratches, and a bit of discoloration on the motor housing as well as more UV suntan on the case.  The inside of the case is partially covered in a soft upholstery-type adhesive fabric similar to the insides of a glove compartment you'd find in a 1980s Oldsmobile.  As you can see in the picture, it attracts lint like nothing else and I've misplaced my lint brush.

After completely oiling the machine (being careful not to let the oil touch the several nylon gears such as the cam control gear) and cleaning lint and dust from the insides as much as I could (I really need to get some tonsil swabs), I plugged it in and ran the machine for a full three minutes.

I'm very impressed.  Despite the oscillating hook, the Nova is very smooth and fast and makes excellent stitches.  Balancing the stitch required minimal tension adjustment and the feed is steady and straight.  The dial control for length means that gradation can be very slight -- excellent for blind and satin stitching and free motion sewing.

If there is one fault, it is the lack of foot control.  The button controller is a great design but I'm finding it difficult to achieve a truly slow speed.  This may be by design or perhaps has to do with age (or technique).