Description:

Released in the mid-1990s, the Bernina 1630 was the first household machine to merge computerised stitch design with a generous 9 mm feed system. More than 600 built-in utility, heirloom, and alphabet patterns are organised in icon menus, but the real magic is “Stitch Designer”: draw a motif on the LCD grid, press save, and the 1630 sews it at up to 1,000 stitches min⁻¹. Twelve automatic buttonholes, dual-feed differential, and on-screen mirroring give garment sewists industrial precision, while a knee-lift and 7-point feed dogs tackle quilts without puckering. The free-arm slips out for cuffs, and an optional embroidery adaptor adds hoop-based monograms. Despite its steel drive train, the unit weighs a travel-friendly 28 lb and fits a 16 × 8 in cabinet cut-out. An LED work-light and built-in needle-threader—luxuries then—remain conveniences today.

Economic Advantage:

Before affordable home embroidery machines, hobbyists bought separate stitch cards or multi-head modules. The 1630’s on-board memory (nine banks, 70 designs each) let users create and store custom motifs without extra hardware, slashing accessory outlay. Its 9 mm width also meant owners could replicate expensive ready-to-wear satins on a single pass, saving alterations fees and elevating garment value—one reason pre-owned 1630s still command premium resale prices.