Is the 830 worth the price, or a longarm better?

[Keith D.]

If quilting is your main goal, this may be the way to go. (unless you're Diane Gaudynski)

Or Ricky Tims or any of these other quilters: http://www.berninausa.com/content-n589-sUS.html

You don't even have to be Diane or Ricky or Harriet, you could just be someone like me who's driven every longarm at every show he's been at for many years. I just prefer quilting on a domestic machine. I don't even like the stationary longarms I've driven better than most domestic machines I've worked with. Maybe some of it is that I think longarms are mostly just plain ugly beasts. They're like military jeeps. Why can't they add some flair?

But I don't want to pay $6,000 or $8,000 for an 820/830 either. What I want is an 820 body -with the arm length - but only my 430 features inside. For $3,000 or less. You'd think they could do that... =)

I think I'd only want a longarm if I went into quilting business. Because it's probably faster. Even though I think it's less fun.

[Margo C.]

I quilted on domestic machines for 20 years before I got my Handi-Quilter, and sometimes I miss it!! :shock:
Quilting on a mid-arm or a long-arm machine just doesn't feel as intimate as being so very up close and personal with the project that you've created!

[Keith D.]

I think that has a lot to do with it, Margo - the feel of the fabric. But I was wondering last night as I was going to bed - am I getting more and more resistant to change? If so, I better fix that. =) It is thrilling that there's so many choices and options now; something for everybody hopefully.

[Betty J.]

I quilted on domestic machines for 20 years before I got my Handi-Quilter, and sometimes I miss it!! :shock:
Quilting on a mid-arm or a long-arm machine just doesn't feel as intimate as being so very up close and personal with the project that you've created!

Margo and Keith,

Your conversation expresses very well why I had initially decided on the 830. I still think it may be the best option for me because of the kinds of quilts I make and because I also want to use it for it's other sewing features. I also have the blessing of a long arm in the family. Beth (OriNebula) has a Gammill, which she has generously offered for my use. So anything too big for my domestic setup I could quilt there while she is at work. In fact, she is currently quilting a bed quilt I made for my youngest son (her brother-in-law). It's huge. I intended it as a queen sized quilt, but I added enough so it could drape down the sides of the bed, making it really a king sized. I made this top several years ago when she just got her Gamill and I didn't fully realize how big a job I was asking her to do, but she has almost finished it now and it's beautiful. She hasn't complained either. I'm so blessed. I doubt my art quilts will ever get that big (but never say never )

Anyway, I am really getting excited now about my coming retirement. I am pretty sure I will buy the 830. Perhaps I should try to get one of the new limited editions. This discussion has been really helpful.

[Teri L.]

As I look toward the future myself I've given a lot of thought to what the next machine might be for me. Because space is a huge issue in my home an 820 would be perfect for me down the road as I simply do not have the space for even something the size of George (APQS). If I had the room I might give consideration to a long arm however the way I quilt I might not be well suited to having a long arm. I like the whole sitting down and moving the quilt under the needle experience.

Teri

[Teri L.]

[size=150]I am still leaning towards a long arm (or dreaming). A lQS has a long arm but doesn't rent it out or give lessons. She thought it was strange when I asked her about it and told her other places did that. "oh no" what if a needle broke? It cost a lot to replace it. She just didn't get it that customers would pay for the lessons on how to use it and that the price per hour or half hour would more than pay for the price of a needle. Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like she is missing out on an opportunity for more business. If she doesn't want that as part of her business, than maybe she should take it out of her shop, or put-up a barrier so we don't see it and stop asking her about it. Apparently I am not the only one to ask about it. Sorry a little off topic. Any ways, if i couldn't have a LA due to price and space, my third fourth or fifth option would be a sit-down Long arm like HQ 16. Now I didn't care for it when I tried it at a show, but that might be the sales persons fault as far as the settings and all. I would go to a sewing shop that caries what I am interested in and get a more personal session with the machine and its set up. I already have a domestic that I love and wouldn't give up, and in a perfect world, would add a long arm. Pretty confusing. Well that's my life. Sort through it and take what you want. Also remember that you asked so you shall receive. [/size

[Eileen K.]

If the machines you have do everything you want them to do, why not go for the George sit-down or the Handi-Quilter sit-down? Then you won't have to do your piecing and quilting all on the same machine.

[Teri L.]

Hey Eileen, can I come play on your gammill?

[Teri L.]

I have both the 830 and a longarm. While I adore my 830 for creative work, not in a million years (as I am primarily a quilter) would I chose the 830 over a longarm. The stitch regulator doesn't begin to compare, quilting at a DSM is back breaking and extremely time consuming... and I adore panto's, not something you can feasibly do on a DSM.

Saying that, the 830 is a wonderful machine, the features are endless and it is just plain fun to use!

[Betty J.]

CJ,

Clearly you have the ideal setup. It's what I would choose if I had the space and the money for both.

Cheers, BJ

[Betty J.]

BJ, in all honesty if I had to choose between my machines, I would PROBABLY (I'd have to give this a lot of thought!!!) keep my longarm, and my Juki, because they will last a lifetime, are easy to self maintain, and 90% of what I do is quilt.

I love my Berninas, and for computerized, combo machines I don't think you can beat them. But I only began sewing in 2004, and I had no idea of what I wanted, what I would create, and while I love dabbling in it ALL, quilting is my passion. And saying that, those two machines do piecing and quilting best, hands down. It's much more difficult to choose the perfect machine/machines if you don't have a specific niche for them to fill. If you want one machine to do it all, the 830 is absolutely to die for. I hope I never have to make that choice, because I periodically devle off into some other aspect of sewing, and then I really love all those features.

Sometimes it amazes me just how much you can actually create with a simple straigth stitch machine.

[Karen W.]

I have the APQS Millennium and it has all the bells and whistles. It works nicely for quilting large quilts and all sizes. Recently, I wanted a new sewing machine and wanted to also have an embroidery machine. So my DH bought me the Bernina 830! I am really happy with it. But for quilting, I do better with the longarm. My curves are smoother, and my area to quilt is much larger. So, I'd say if you only have money for one or the other, the longarm will be very helpful. With it, you may also do many things that the domestic machines do. I have used mine to stitch down raw edged applique, and to piece as I go. Thread painting is much easier on the longarm also. Good luck in your choice. Karen Wheeler

[Keith D.]

Ooofff! I thought of you, Betty Jo, and I dreamed of an 820 this weekend while I was finishing the applique on these borders. With a little planning, it wasn't too rough with the shorter arm of a 430, but more room = more fun.

[Robin G.]

Keith, it's lovely!!!!

[Betty J.]

Ooofff! I thought of you, Betty Jo, and I dreamed of an 820 this weekend while I was finishing the applique on these borders. With a little planning, it wasn't too rough with the shorter arm of a 430, but more room = more fun.

Wow Keith! Just WOW! It's wonderful. I have really been fascinated to watch as you have developed this wonderful quilt. Cheers.