Bernina 1008 is a great heavy duty sewing machine

The Bernina 1008 has 16 built in stitches, as well as having a built in 6 step buttonhole. There is a chart with the stitch settings right on the top of the machine, making all of the different stitches easy to use, because it even tells you what presser foot to use! The 1008 is a mechanical sewing machine because it has the heavy, nearly all metal mechanical workings & cams. At the same time, however, this an electronic sewing machine, because it has electronic circuit boards which control specific systems, such as the ability to sew through thick layers of fabric with the same amount of strength & speed as with fine, thin fabrics. An example of how this works, Bernina's 930 Record advertising flyer showed a photo of the electronic circuit board & explains that it can sew with "Full power, fast or slow, even when sewing stitch by stitch"!

More great features of this Bernina 1008-

16 DIFFERENT UTILITY & DECORATIVE STITCHES, INCLUDING STRETCH STITCHES (17 COUNTING BUTTONHOLE)

5 NEEDLE POSITIONS

BUILT IN BUTTONHOLER

BERNINA PATENTED AUTOMATIC TENSION SYSTEM

FREEARM

2 SPEEDS -power knob has 3 settings, full power, & half power, for embroidery & fine detail work. (alexdandra7 requested I add this information to my review, because it isn't easy to figure out where the control for the 2 speeds are found. Thank you alexdandra7)

BUILT IN LIGHT

BUILT IN THREAD CUTTER

BOBBIN WINDER AUTO STOPS WHEN FULL

RAISE & LOWER FEED DOGS FOR DARNING & FREEHAND EMBROIDERY

THIS MACHINE HANDLES WOVEN & KNIT FABRICS WITH EASE, AS WELL AS

DELICATE SILK & CHIFFON, HEAVY CANVAS & FAUX SUEDE!

GREAT FOR QUILTING

Nothing sews like a Bernina, including this one.

My Bernina 1008 has a great stitch and seems to adjust the tension to whatever I am sewing - typical Bernina quality here. It is very easy to use-just sit down and go. It is a basic machine and as such functions well. I have had two issues with it.
First the foot pedal didn't immediately start the machine and then all of a sudden it took off and only operated at race horse speed. I ordered a new solid state foot pedal and this problem has disappeared. The machine is built sturdily except for the on/off switch. This is a thin, flimsy piece of plastic that I don't like at all.
Another minor issue is finding snap on presser feet. Mine came with only the general sewing foot. If you don't buy them from a Bernina dealer, they may or may not fit. I bought several that fit on the shank that came with the machine but the needle hit the back of the presser foot instead of the hole for the needle. I did find a set that fit.
The other thing that bothered me is that when you see it advertised nobody mentions that this machine is not made in Switzerland as most Berninas are. It is made in the Far East. This may not be a bad thing but, face it, made in Switzerland products overall trump, hands down, products made in the Far East. If a Bernina is not made in Switzerland, I expect to be told this without having to find out by seeing it on the product label. I gave this machine a 4 rating because it sews really well, and I guess that is basically what one wants in a sewing machine.

very well made solid mechanical sewing machine.

I wanted a basic mechanical sewing machine to do basic sewing projects. This machine is solid, and relatively simple to use. Sews sheer as well as thick denim hems w/ no problems. I was surprised though that it needed oiling after 3-4 hrs of sewing. Another glitch was the operating manual, you have to read it if you are not familiar w/ this machine(I had a Viking previously). I miss my old Viking(no parts avail to fix), but am happy w/ this replacement. It has enough stitch options and is sturdily made. I'm happy and satisfied.

A Perfect Sewing Machine

As a professional costume designer, I need a sewing machine that is sturdy, well-constructed and reliable. The Bernina 1008 is my all-time best-pick. What it lacks in "bells and whistles" it makes up for with speed, all-metal construction and a solid stitch. I would suggest this machine for beginners through professionals and everyone in between.

Wonderful Machine

Bought this machine for my daughter for Christmas. She uses the identical model at college and wanted the same one because she was very familiar with the way it works. These machines are very expensive, but are supposed to last a lifetime. Bought this one used (7 years old) and it looks and works as if it were brand new.