Horn table modification for 830 LE

[Jill B.]

Morning and happy quilt day everyone!!!!

If you've seen me blathering on the other thread, you already know I am the proud owner of a new 830 LE :shock: . Not sure how many days I'll be walking around with this goofy grin on my face....

So, I have a horn quilters dream cabinet that I've been using with my 440 QE. I really love the cabinet and would like to avoid sinking more $$ into furniture right now if I can help it to get the XL quilters dream that was configured to hold the 830. Now, I know when I was doing some research this last week I saw some folks talk about retrofitting their horn table with a brace that looks like it is on hinges to provide extra support. I'm curious if any of you have done this?

If not, do you use something else to sit your 830 on? I've enjoyed the flush sewing surface of the table and the 440. Do you guys sew with your 830 lowered and flush with a specific table (koala, horn, etc) or do you have this plus size girl sitting on a more solid table and just work off of the slide in table?

Open to any and all solutions. Must regrow $$ tree if I think about purchasing a different table for her, so regardless, I need a short term solution if I can't make my horn table work as my long term solution.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Lori

[Jill B.]

Yes. I had a 440QE set into my good horn cabinet with extra table areas that raise up to aid in quilting large quilts and also had extra side space on the left. Works great but the new 820 I got for Christmas was too heavy for the set in area supported by the metal lift. Also, the 820 would not fit down onto the machine area comfortabley because it was just a little too big. Investigated getting a new lift but that was expensive and wasn't sure it would work anyway. I too did not want to invest in more quilting furniture because I really like using the one I have. My husband came to the rescue by adding some wooden strips about 2" square by the needed length under the machine area, screwing them into the front and back as braces underneath. Actually I like using the machine up and flat as it is easy to reach the bobbin area and the tray table that attaches to the machine is large enough to easily feed the fabric right onto the cabinet top.

One other problem arose. This made my machine sit a little higher as I am short. I didn't like the drafting chairs to accommodate the height because then my short legs don't reach the foot pedal. So I made a thick pillow with foam and attached it with velcro to the seat on my very good office type chair to
use when machine quilting.

Have been piecing a quilt and ready to machine quilt as I love using the bsr. Did lots of quilts on my 440QE but the new set up should make it easier and quicker.

[Barbara G.]

Thank you Loismarie. Your post eas very helpful. I also have a new 780, along with a 440 and 3180 Horn cabinet. I'll try to retrofit the table, too.

[Barbara G.]

Since I posted the comment last year I have modified my plan. Purchased a new chair, probably used by long armers or draftsman. I think
they sell them at Bernina but I bought mine on line. Of course my feet didn't reach the floor. So my husband made me a wooden stand
to put the foot control on and it has velcro on the bottom so it doesn't move on the carpet. If I am quilting I can raise the foot pedal the proper height. If I am just sewing I can turn the box over to a shorter area and this lower part of the box works fine. Glad I was able to help.. Love my Bernina 820 but kept my 440Q for back up use and it is in a separate old cabinet.