Intro to the BERNINA 330 or Girl Meets Machine

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Intro to the BERNINA 330 or Girl Meets Machine

Hello everyone! I’m Abbeeroad, or just Abbee for short, and this is how you’ll find me for the next six months or so:

Let me just say this up front: I am not a perfectionist. Nothing that I do comes out perfect. I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of crafter, and my projects are always an adventure. So, needless to say, I was shocked when I was given the opportunity to test-drive a BERNINA 330 Sewing Machine by Craftster. Shocked and ecstatic!! Me? Really? YES!

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a crafter at heart. I've had a craft box for as long as I can remember, and I started hand sewing pouches for friends in college. One Christmas, my grandmother took me shopping for a stand mixer and instead, we left the store with a basic Kenmore sewing machine. That was about seven years ago now. I've been slowly improving and trying new things ever since. About two years ago, I discovered Craftster, and I think I've grown more in those two years than in all the previous years combined. Being a part of such an encouraging environment surrounded by inspiration really cultivates creativity!

But still, I have so much to learn. And that's one reason why I love to sew. There is always something to learn. No getting bored with this hobby! You can always grow a little bit taller and bloom a little bit wider. And now, with this opportunity, I've stretched myself even further! How could I not push myself to the absolute limit with such an awesome piece of machinery? I just couldn't help it. Once I met my BERNINA 330, I was smitten. Here, let me introduce you, and then you will be, too!

I was actually driving when my husband sent me a text telling me “a sewing machine shaped package arrived for me.” Eeep! I think I developed a case of lead foot after that, and sure enough, there was a large box with BERNINA printed on the side waiting for me:

I immediately tore into it and gave it a place of honor on my sewing table.

I was so impressed with all the accessories that came with the machine (and check out the cool accessory case!).

There were:

5 bobbins (one pre-wound already in the bobbin case)
A height compensating tool (I’ve never used one of these before!)
A seam ripper (girl’s best friend – or is it worst enemy?), a screwdriver (hopefully won’t need that!), and a brush (I can change my messy ways!)
Some foam pads and spool discs (I never use these, but there’s always a first time)
Several universal needles (good – I might need ‘um!)
An allen wrench-type tool (hope to not use this as well) and a seam guide (hmm…interesting)
Some oil (I don't have a comment for this one )
And a presser foot with four different snap-on soles – a standard sole, an overlock sole, a zipper sole, and a blindstitch sole (can’t wait to try all these!)

Additionally, there was this funky looking foot that turned out to be the automatic buttonhole foot. This I really can’t wait to try! I really want to achieve that professional buttonhole look!

There was even a machine cover (cross that off my to-make list!).

One thing I thought was really cool was the way the cord for the pedal wrapped up inside the pedal itself:

And there it is in all its glory. The BERNINA 330.

The computer screen, stitches, and all those fancy buttons will have to wait for another day. First, I have a date with the instruction manual…

Thank you BERNINA, Craftster, jungrrl, and sweets4ever for this amazing opportunity!