Sewing Machine Quality Assurance Program Announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28)-- Bernina Sewing Machines of Switzerland, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary corrective action program involving the Type 213 foot pedals of Bernina sewing machines manufactured between late 1969 and January, 1976.

Sewing machine owners will be notified directly by the company and sent an easy- to-install kit, free of charge, to remedy the problem.

The foot pedal (or speed regulator) of the sewing machine may overheat if a switch within the pedal remains in a "closed" position. This may increase the possibility of a short circuit or fire in the pedal.

As a safety precaution, owners are urged to unplug the machine when not in use and to avoid placing foreign objects on or near the foot pedal.

According to Bernina, no injuries have been reported in connection with the sewing machines sold with this foot pedal. To correct the overheating problem, Bernina is offering a thermally activated switch for all the Type 213 black foot pedals. This number is stamped on the bottom of the foot pedal. (Those pedals stamped with a blue "T" already contain the thermally activated switch.)

Bernina is identifying and contacting the owners of these sewing machines by letter to advise them that the thermally activated switch should be installed without delay.

In addition, Bernina retailers will assist any consumer having difficulty in replacing the switch and have posted in-store notices explaining the problem.

Consumers with the Type 213 foot pedals should contact their local Bernina retailer or any of Bernina's four American distributors if they have not been notified by the company or if they have questions concerning the recall program. The four American distributors are: Larson Bernina Corporation, 2017 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407; Swiss-Bernina Inc., 534 W. Chestnut Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521; Bernina Sewing Machine Company, Inc., 70 Orchard Drive, North Salt Lake, UT 84054; and Bernina Distributors, Inc., 2401 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007.