Bernina · Zigzag · Early 1990s (sold new in 1993)
The 1090 belongs to Bernina's 1000 series, which Wikipedia calls the final mechanical model range from the family company in Steckborn, Switzerland. A Bernina USA writer bought hers new in 1993 and described it as a mid-level machine with a limited number of stitches and one key Bernina feature, the Free Hand System. That's the knee lift, which raises the foot in proportion to how hard you push, eases the needle-thread tension and drops the feed dogs so you can turn your work without letting go of it. The 1000 series sews up to 5.5 mm wide and takes the white-label A feet Bernina still makes. It isn't Bernina's first computerized machine. That was the 1130 of 1986, the first with a pattern memory.
Under the throat plate
Ask for a photo under the slide plate with the bobbin case in place. A missing bobbin case or the wrong needle system is the most common reason a machine that looks fine won’t sew.
We couldn't source faults specific to the 1090. Check it the way you'd check any Bernina of its age, for a smooth handwheel, a working knee lift, its own bobbin case and feet.
New to old machines? How to check a used sewing machine walks through the handwheel, the wiring, the bobbin case and a test seam.
Buying guide
Only four 1090s are listed, so the $350–800 band isn't a market read. We'd buy the plain 1090 at $319 delivered from a 100% seller after a video of it sewing straight, zigzag and a buttonhole, or the Riccar-badged machine from Japan titled tested with its outer case, $386 with free shipping. Read the voltage on the Japanese machine's plate before you plug it in, and on any 1090 check the knee lift bar is in the photos, since the Free Hand System is the reason to buy one. Skip the $1,200 listing from an 85.7% seller and the 1090QE at $1,000 with no shipping quoted, which both ask well over the other two.
$318.97est. delivered
The lowest delivered 1090 here at $319, from a 100% seller. The title says nothing about testing or accessories, so ask for a stitch test and whether the foot control and knee lift bar come with it.
BERNINA 1090 SEWING MACHINE
$385.99delivered
Titled tested with its outer case, with free shipping from Japan. The photo shows a Riccar badge, so read the voltage on the plate before you buy.
BERNINA 1090 Riccar Computerized Sewing Machine Tested Holidainu /w Outer case
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$318.97est. delivered
$259.00 + $59.97 shipping
Buy It Now$259.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Plain title, no accessories mentioned. Ask for a stitch test.
Seller: palsgarage
100% positive
Used$385.99delivered
$385.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$385.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Riccar-badged 1090, titled tested, with outer case. Ships from Japan, so check the voltage.
Seller: hiluxs_63
99.8% positive
Used$1,205.50est. delivered
$1,200.00 + $5.50 shipping
Buy It Now$1,200.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
85.7% feedback and an ask over three times the median. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: hisbeaut_35
85.7% positive
Used$1,000.00+ shipping
$1,000.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$1,000.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
A 1090QE at about 2.6 times the median. No shipping quoted; ask, or plan on pickup.
Seller: punkrockjennifer83
100% positive
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