gloriastitches

Bernina's sewing machine feet are unusual and work only with Bernina machines, plus quite expensive but built to last. There is a way to expand usage of the machine without paying a small fortune for their feet---and it may already be in your household. Here are pics of my Bernina 910 (mid 80s), my Riccar (late 70s), and my White 4042 (early 2000s)  Click to see larger pictures. Though the feet for the Riccar and the White look very much alike they are not exchangeable for the most part because the needle opening in the feet are either too far forward or too far back.  However,  they can be used on the Bernina! Here's how: You will need a low-shank adapter.  They come in a choice of for snap-on or for screw-on feet and are available for old stye (OS) (through the 1630--am almost positive on this model) and for new style (NS).  If your feet have red, then they are new style.  (approximtely after '98).  The adapters are in the range of ...

In an old McCall's magazine, Fall-Winter '55-'56 was an article about the latest features on machines. The newest innovation was the automatic zigzag, which could do all that straight-stitch and manual zigzag machines could, plus do embroidery pattern stitches automatically. They had discs or cams to be inserted or some were built into the machine. Above are the machines they highlighted.  Unfortunately they don't mention the model # and that is not always visible on the machine. If you have an older machine but don't know when it came out, perhaps it is shown here.  These machines would be from 1955 or possibly 1954.    The year could certainly be a place to start to find out more about your machine.