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This is a great basic machine! Outstanding quality - all metal parts typical of Bernina. Has 16 stitches to choose from. Machine is easy to use, easy to learn. I did not want a computerized machine for my basic sewing machine because I didn't want to worry about the computer going out and the machine not working. I bought this machine because I heard it would run forever. A friend of mine who was a professional seamstress said she burned out the motor on 3 singers before she chose to buy a Bernina 1008 and it has been her machine since.

My first sewing machine was a brother and I was constantly fighting the tension. I couldn't sew on light weight lace fabrics or the fabric would suck down into the machine bobbin casing. This Bernina 1008 sews like a dream on all weight fabrics. I can sew heavy denim that it stitches through easily, or I can sew lace to light weight silk batiste - 2 extremes of the sewing weight spectrum. This is the machine you will pass down to your daughters because of its heavy duty metal parts and Bernina quality.

Now a little about the machine itself. As I said, this is a good basic machine without tons of bells and whistles. You buy this mainly for reliability and durability. The knobs on the Bernina 1008 are on the right side.

The top knob adjusts both the width of the stitching as well as the needle position. The width is adjusted by the outer portion of the dial rim and goes from 0 to 5, the needle position is adjusted by the dial portion itself and will go to the right, center, or left needle position.

The second knob down is the buttonholer. It is not automatic but consists of 6 different turns of the dial as you sew to create the perfect button hole. Very easy to use!

The third knob down is not so much a knob, but a lever that goes up or down with a turn of the knob on the lever from 0 to 5 to adjust stitch length so you can create the perfect satin stitch, all the way to a loose basting stitch. Lift this knob to reverse the stitch at the end to secure your stitching.

The fourth knob on the bottom left of the machine adjusts between green or red stitches - let me explain this. On top center of the machine is a lever that allows you to select different stitch choices such as straight stitch, zig zag, scallop, blind hem, etc. Each stitch has 2 options on that lever selection. One of the options is green and one red. So to select the stitch you want you move the lever on top to the desired stitch and then turn the green red dial to either side to select one of 2 stitches available on that top lever designation. For example, on the scallop there is a closed straight scallop and a dotted scallop choice. The dotted scallop is under the red stitch selection and the solid scallop is under the green. I move the lever to the desired selection (scallop stitch) and then the red or green knob to indicate my choice between the 2 types of scallops. Also on top of the machine by the lever selector is a chart which shows you which foot, width, length and needle position are necessary to create each one of the stitch choices.
Tension knob is on the top left side of the machine. Bobbin winder is on the top right. Carrying handles pops up or down for carrying from the top. The sewing pedal is fully detachable so if it goes out you can replace it without replacing any of the machine itself. The whole sewing and electrical cords plug into the right bottom of the machine. Foot pedal that comes standard is large and easy to press. The on switch is on the right and is a dial with a choice of machine with no light and machine with light on. The bobbin casing is a front loading bobbin with a little door - unlike models of sewing machines where it drops down into the bobbin casing. I find having the bobbin in the front makes it easier to access. You do have to pull the bobbin thread up through the foot plate like in a standard sewing machine. More expensive models of sewing machines will automatically pull the bobbin thread up through the foot plate. (another expensive bell and whistle you don't really need)

I did think of one thing I don't like about this machine. The deal is when you come to the end of the stitch that the needle doesn't automatically adjust itself back into the needle raised position. Now this is great when sewing corners because it is easy to put the needle in the fabric then turn the fabric. It is not great if you forget to put it back up then try to sew again and the thread is too short so it comes out of your needle on the upswing. Most seamstresses are probably used to this type of needle positioning, but my other machine is a Bernina Artista and it does almost everything but rub my back while I am sewing.

If you went to wal-mart or sears you could buy a good basic sewing machine for 200-300 dollars but it wouldn't be all metal insides and the tension probably wouldn't work well. If you sew a lot you would probably burn out the motor after time. If you are going to be sewing (not just trying it out to see if you like sewing) then spend the extra money and be happy with what you buy It will be well worth it, in the long run this machine will outlive all the others. And if you are new to sewing consider the fact that if you don't like sewing buy the Bernina because the resale on this machine is pretty good compared to other types of machines. Bernina holds its value.

I am not totally certain about the warranty but I think Bernina has a 20 year or lifetime warranty on the machine. Please double check with Bernina on this before you purchase. They have done a great job on standing behind the mechanical workings of my Bernina.

It is heavy because of the all metal parts, so if you need a machine to transport frequently you should buy one with plastic insides, or have good biceps (or husband)to lug it around.

By the way, this machine is one of the Berninas that is not assembled in Switzerland but rather Taiwan. Apparently, when bernina retooled their factory they sent the factory pieces to taiwan to open up shop there.