Considering an 830 LE...am I crazy?

[Cheryl K.]

Hi guys!

So, I took my 440 QE in for her annual spa treatment yesterday and got sidelined looking at the 830 LE that was conveniently sitting right where you take your machine to drop off for service :shock: ! Now, I love my 440 and have drooled a bit over the 820/830 since they came out but was always safely on the side of "I have too much going on to spend that kind of $$ on another machine when I don't have enough time to sew as it is". Well, now I find myself with a bit more time and boy oh boy, she was a beauty! The dealer talked about trading in my 440 and is going to give me a cost on $$ on what the 830 would be with the trade, but unless it's a lot of $, I'm hesitant to part with my 440. Insanity, I know....

I've been scouring the boards and the internet and found lots of posts initially in 2010 about tension issues and the machine being a bit finicky, but honestly, not seeing much recently (last 6-8 months). Is that because the problems have been fixed or because no one is talking about the 830 anymore, lol? If you have an 830, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it...good, bad, or indifferent. Love it? Hate it? Wish you'd not spent that amount of $$ on it? I have a great dealer and I trust her to help me resolve any issues, so no worries there, just wrestling with the $$ issue. They are currently offering 48 months no interest (that's how I paid off my 440, love that!) along with a 2 day seminar in chicago with the bernina educators. Sounds like a bunch of fun there!

Thanks in advance for any and all information!

Lori

[Renata L.]

Hi Lori!
I have an 830. It is my first sewing machine--I have had it a little over a year now. I purchased it after retiring with the thought that quilting attracted me. I was looking at a 440QE and was ready to put my money down on it, fearing that purchasing the 830 was too big an investment if I did not pursue quilting in earnest. My husband, wisely, suggested that I would outgrow the 440 in six months and that I should seriously consider the 830, especially since I had no thought of considering a mid-arm or long-arm machine in the near (or even distant) future and was determined to learn free-motion quilting. He also suggested that I was too old to work my way up the machine hierarchy and that I should start at the top (he was right, there too, glad I listened...).

What I really love about this machine is the throat space--very convenient for moving big pieces of fabric around in free-motion. I also like the features: a tap of the foot pedal or the button on the front of the machine will bring the presser foot down on my work to start; I can pre-program securing stitches, cutting the thread automatically and raising the presser foot after the thread cut and the list goes on regarding what I can pre-program. Directional sewing gives me the ability to do decorative stitches that are larger than the 9mm throat plate. I can take any set of decorative stitches and combine them. The extension feature allows me to extend the length of a decorative stitch if I need to in order to have the decorative pattern end as a full pattern where I want it to on the line I want to stitch. I have found great use for the dual-feed feature--personally, I like it even more than the walking foot. I use it for attaching binding, piecing blocks and even stitch in the ditch (when not doing it free motion). I can transfer decorative stitch combinations to the embroidery side of the machine to stitch straighter lines of decorative stitches in the hoop. I won't go into the embroidery side of the machine (which I love), but suffice it to say, I have the V6 software which allows me to make my own designs which I am very, very happy to send to the 830 with a USB stick.

In my first six months of owning the machine, I made just about every mistake in the book and have even jammed thread in the bobbin case (lots of thread) with the needle in the down position and the fabric sucked into the throat plate with the hoop in place… My Bernina dealer is wonderful and took a lot of HELP phone calls from me for a while. But, remember, I never owned a sewing machine before this one and I made just about every possible mistake you read about when people complain about the 830. After a little over a year, in my case, I can say with confidence that every problem I had with the 830 was operator error! I am convinced that higher-end machines are more sensitive and we need to learn to 'drive' this machine a little differently than some of the others, like the 440QE. For example, most people tap on the pedal to bring the needle down and tap again to bring the bobbin thread up to the top. With the 830, you need to tap with your heel on the part of the pedal closest to you to do that. If you just tap on the pedal, you might get lucky a couple of times… but you risk getting the bobbin thread and top thread all garbled and balled up together inside the bobbin case, jamming everything like I did. It's been a long time since I've called my Bernina dealer for help.

What I found most useful in learning my machine were the Video Mastery Guide Classes available on line. I've watched them over and over and done the practice sessions the presenter provides. I've also taken a project or two from the Bernina website and done those to learn special features of the machine and improve my knowledge of the 830.

I no longer have misgivings about what I spent for the 830. Now, when I visit my sister and use her 440QE, I can't wait to get back to my 830… :lol:

Hope this helps.
Renata

[Renata L.]

Thanks so much! That does help a lot actually. I love the embroidery side of my 440 and when they were showing me the huge hoop with the little turn dial on it yesterday...wow! Did you purchase the larger optional hoops? I could see doing some quilted feather patterns with those I really do appreciate your comments! I will have to go look for the video mastery classes you mentioned

[Renata L.]

When I purchased my 830, the Jumbo Hoop was part of the deal. I love it--fewer rehoopings for larger projects. Frankly, when you turn to the embroidery module and open an embroidery design, the 830 will bring up the most appropriate hoop for your design. If you plan to add designs to it, then you can choose the larger hoop. The machine will also let you know if your stitching will be out of bounds and the needle would hit the hoop. It also has a feature that allows you to baste around the hoop edge or around the embroidery. I think you had to download that for your 440QE.

As for the video mastery classes, Amanda Whitlach (sp.?) has a website where she stores all of those and that is where I go to watch:
http://www.exnovodesign.com/

Get some driving time on the 830 at the dealership before you buy it. My dealer spent more than an hour with me on the machine before I made the decision to purchase and I really got to play a bit (supervised ). We did fabric with stabilizer AND a quilt sandwich, in the hoop, on the hoop and without the hoop! Watch as many of the video mastery classes as you can now before you buy. You will have great questions to ask the dealer, as a result.

[Renata L.]

Lori, I have had my 820 for a bit over two years now. I've been sewing for over thirty years on and off but until the 820 I had an old machinical Kenmore sewing machine. Six years ago i began quilting and now sew almost every day. The 820 was a HUGE step up. I've never regretted getting the 820. I agree with Renata that any problems I've had have really been user error and referring back to the manual or checking the Yahoo forum for Series 8 Berninas quickly gave me the solution. I love the dual feed for two layers of fabric and use the walking foot for three or more layers. I learned FMQ on the 820 but found that I do much better with a 29 foot rather than the BSR which I don't get along with very well. The ONLY thing I sort of don't like is sewing a quarter inch seam with the 9mm feed dogs. The straight stitch plate is a must for quarter inch seams and FMQ so I would get that right off. If I had a 440QE as you do, I would consider keeping it for piecing since it has the 5mm feed dogs. Enjoy your shopping and sewing!

[Betty J.]

Lori, I bought my 830 about 4 months ago to help me in my new lifestyle when I retired on 31 December to move to a nearly full-time fabric artist.

I have been sewing ever since I was 4 and I just turned 65. The 830 is magnificent, and clearly is the best machine I ever had. You do have to take time to learn to use it as Renata said. Renata helped me begin on the road of understanding my machine and I did watch every online master class and just about everything else I could find. I'm still learning.

I wouldn't use it for my transport-to-class machine though. It's heavy and large and simply too expensive to tote around the country. So you might want to think about that. You need to think about a cabinet for it also. You might be happy with it on top of a table, though, but I love it when it has a flat surface with the table...gives me a bigger quilting support space.

I have the larger hoops, the version 6.0 software, and together it all opens up a whole new world for me and I had an upgraded 200E before which did a lot of the same things, but I needed a larger harp to do my quilting, since I decided I could not fit a longarm in my house and I outgrew the 200E. You can work out appliques and decorative stitching pieces and stitch them out in the jumbo hoop. Here is one I recently designed and made:


And here's one I designed in the software but haven't stitched out yet...it fits in the jumbo hoop:



And here is some sashiko stitching that I did with the 830 recently:



It also is great for making clothing and it will take me a long time to outgrow the 830.

[Betty J.]

You guys are very kind to give me all your feedback. I'm pretty happy to hear everyone say they are still loving their machines I'll find out tomorrow about how much my trade is worth (i.e. is it even worthwhile or should I keep my 440) and then will set up some time to give her a serious test drive! I'll let you know what I decide. Thanks again!!!

[Renata L.]

Lori,
don't know what other machines you have, but if it were me, I would keep my 440QE to travel, as a backup when your 830 is getting its yearly checkup and as a second machine to do piecing while your 830 is embroidering away for you.
Renata

[Renata L.]

I love my 830 and have not regretted the purchase. I did keep my 435 and use it for classes, and when my 830 has to go for checkups. There is a learning curve to the machine and the mastery classes are terrific. Sandi

[Teri L.]

All I'll say is "me want" and I'd keep my 1080.

Teri

[Teri L.]

Lori, I do think that the early problems with the 830 have been worked out now, and the LE seems not to be affected, based on what I've read on the yahoo groups. I have an 820, bought last year with the 48 mos no interest financing offer, and it's been a joy and trouble-free. It *is* somewhat different than other Berninas, especially in the bobbin assembly and threading, so training for new owners seems even more essential. Like Lynn, I'm not totally satisfied with it for piecing, due to the 9mm feed dogs. The 34D foot and standard (9mm) stitch plate, with the needle moved far right, have given me the best results so far, but I prefer piecing on one of my 5.5mm Berninas. I do recommend getting both the straight stitch and 5.5mm stitch plates. Try to get them included with purchase as an incentive, if you can. Seriously consider keeping your 440 as a back up and portable machine, as well as for tasks that go better with the 5.5mm feed dogs. The 440 is portable, works with BSR, AND does embroidery. It's also no longer made, and it's replacement doesn't embroider. I don't do machine embroidery at all, so I got the 820, but only the 830 LE includes the retreat in northern Illinois. How I WISH I could go!!! It's actually right near my mom in the suburbs, and I've heard only raves about it from attendees. My 820 has been well-worth the expense. Due to it's cost, weight, and sheer size, it stays in the sewing room except for the initial classes and future routine servicing. I'm glad I've got the 440 also. Enjoy the LE (if you go for it)!

[Teri L.]

Hi you are not crazy, I have the 830 (original one) and it is the most awesome machine ever, LOVE, LOVE,LOVE it.
It is so great my very first embroidery I hooped it wrong ( like you would if you were hand embroidering) and even though it sounded odd the stitching was perfect on the back as well as the front. I have made several embroidered & appliqué quilts and they are exquisite. I still have lots to learn with the software, digitizing etc. Not to mention they have this new quilt motion so you can put it on rails and use it like a long arm, that's my next venture. Anyway if you can afford it I know you will love it and the quality is the best machine out there in my opinion!
Have fun"
Franye

[Lorna B.]

I've had my 830 a couple years now. It was my first upgrade since I bought my Elna Super in 1975. It is an awesome machine. I had never machine embroidered prior to getting this machine. I don't know if I'll do a lot of it, but it is nice to have that option. Plus it just so much more than that!

There are several yahoo groups that talk about nothing but the 830 and folks are ready to jump in and answer all sorts of questions. bernina_series8 is one of them. Also just go to the yahoo group and search for 830 or series 8 or cutwork or Bernina V6Software. All very helpful.

Lorna

[Lorna B.]

You guys are awesome!! Thank you so much for all the info. I'll be sure and update you as soon as I make a decision!

Lori :lol:

[Lorna B.]

Gulp, Gulp, giggle, big silly grin.....I DID IT!!!!! I ordered my 830 LE today and I decided to keep my 440 QE. I couldn't sleep last night because I had this long talk with myself last night on the way home from the clinic and told myself to just frickin' do it. I work my tail off, why in the world should I feel guilty about getting myself something that will give me hours of pleasure? But then of course I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking I was nuts to spend that much on my therapy, lol. :roll:

this morning I went to see one of my horse patients and then drove straight to the store and ordered it. I also bought the jumbo hoop. She should be in this week and my first class is next weekend!!!! OMG, seriously, I am so excited I might be hyperventilating. :P

Thank you all so much for all your awesome feedback! I know right where to come when I have questions