Today I would like to share another sewing treasure with you: My beautiful Bernina KL117.
This model was built between 1938 and 1941. She’s built into a sewing table which is quite plain except for the intarsia measuring tape.
The table isn’t in very good condition and the machine has had a few knocks but I don’t mind. After all she’s over 70 years old and being an industrial machine she’s been used a lot. Sadly she doesn’t work but I’m hoping that I will be able to get her repaired one day.
I love the label.
The reason she is such a treasure to me is because I bought her when I was at a real low point of my life. I was having chemo therapy which meant that I was incredibly tired all the time. Most days I didn’t go very far; a quick little walk with Aron was all I could muster. One day, however, my friend Anita called and asked if I wanted to go to the secondhand shop. Of course, I did. Everything was better than sitting around reading books I couldn’t remember a week later (A nice little side effect of the chemo. Makes buying books really cheap as you only need two which you can rotate). Anyway, I went and found the Bernina hidden away in a corner. Looking at her made me happy, getting her home made me even happier and now every time I look at her I can still feel the happiness bubbling up in me. She’s usually hidden away as her sewing table is the perfect height for sewing at and that’s where my other Bernina sits.
Sometimes, though, I get her out and just look at her… and enjoy the happiness that fills my insides.
What A lovely story, and a beautiful machine. I bet she would still sew like a dream.
She is a beauty. You have to get her up and running as she looks so nice. Di x
I fondly remember that day! for me it’s a very happy memory as I got to spend time with you and I still laugh at how the two of us were heaving it into my old peugot 205 cabrio. It took the whole backseat and we could only get it in by taking the roof down 🙂 I’m delighted to see the old girl is still around.
It is wonderful, you should check out the cost of getting her running, it might be a very small thing like a belt or a clean.
Oh my, I just finished 2 years of breast cancer treatment, and today at the thrift store I bought a Bernina KL 117! I have been looking on the internet for information and found your blog, thanks for posting it. It is so good to have energy back, and I have been sewing a lot, I make hammocks, so imagine how
much I appreciate this beautiful sewing machine! Mine is a european electrified, so I cant get it going, but need to either go treadle of electrify for
u.s electricity. Hope you are enjoying yours! Cheers!
Hi! Do you still have the KL117? Would you consider selling it? Tia
i just ran across your blog on this KL117 sewing machine while looking for more information on this machine. I an sorry you have had to go through breast cancer and all that nasty Chemo. I have this machine and it works beautifully. It was restored by Frank Zweigle of La Porte, TX . He put a motor on it so it is US electric. I dont know where you live but if you are anywhere close I can send you his contact information if you are interested. Hoping you are cancer free!