Comments on: Bernina 8 Series–The Dream Machines

by: Nadine

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:22:35 +0000

Hi Normie, and welcome!

I’m glad it was a helpful review. Yes, I’m still dreaming too, and even if I had the money, I might not jump on it. It’s just SO MUCH!

Thanks for stopping by!

by: Normie

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:57:24 +0000

Thanks so much for an excellent review. I heard thru one of the dealers that the Bernina 8 would cost $15K. That is really way above my price range. But one can’t help but salivate at all the wonderful features of the machine. I own an Artista and also a Pffaff. I love them both and would love to get my hands on the 830. I can always dream, right?

by: Nadine

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:26:42 +0000

Rian, I imagine that the needle down function on the new machines is probably similar to the Bernina 440. On the 440, you can tap the back of the foot to bring the needle up or down, but you can also set the needle down with a button on the machine, a short press to bring the needle down one time, or a long press to set it that way permanently for that sewing session, or until you set it permanently to the up position again with the button. That whole process was different enough from all my Pfaff machines that it drove me completely nuts when I started to use the Bernina, and I still have to think about it when use the button to set the needle permanently down. Sixteen years of being a Pfaffie is hard to overcome!

Hi Kerri! The demo sounds interesting. Let us know how it goes!

Welcome CJ! I hadn’t seen that the 820 didn’t have all the deco stitches that the 830 has, but then again, I wasn’t looking for that particular feature either. I don’t use decorative stitches ~~much~~ at all, so at least that won’t tempt me to lust for the 830. How sad though for people like you who do use deco stitches, and I’m sure you’re right about their marketing ploy on that one.

I was saying to ITMan a few months back that they ought to start selling sewing machines like they do cars: you order the options you want, and forget the rest. I’d order mine without deco stitches, but with all the other bells and whistles. Sewing machine companies might even sell more machines that way; I know folks who buy a new car of the same model they already have, strictly because newer, better features are available on the new model. I can’t imagine sewing machine buyers would be any different.

by: CJ

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:51:28 +0000

Yep, I want one. I want the 820 when it comes out. I want all those wonderful features except for the embroidery, I have a 630 and a 730 and am quite content with their embroidery abilities.

However, the 820 doesn’t have all the stitches of the 830, and I love, love love using decorative stitches! I think they did this just to tempt me over to the 830, which is more than I wish to spend on a single machine. Darn them anyway! LOL

by: Kerri

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:33:03 +0000

I was at the Bernina Dealer today. Tomorrow evening and again on Saturday, they are having an “emulator” demo (for lack of a better way to put it). From what I have been told it runs on the PC and it is just like sitting behind the machine. You can “push” icons and see what they do. I’m looking forward to checking it out!

by: Rian

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:56:00 +0000

Great review, Nadine! The new Bernina sounds wonderful. I do love a Bernina, and I’m glad they finally opened up that harp–to a whopping 12″ yet–WOW! I won’t be buying one though. I have two new Janomes. Well, one is not-so-new. They had 9″ openings, and that was what drove me over to Janome from Bernina. That and I like the button to set for needle-down instead of tapping the foot pedal. I suppose the new Berninas have that feature as well.