Bernina 880

[Jill B.]

Hey I have heard about a new Bernina 880 but know nothing about it, does anyone have any info by chance

[Hannelore N.]

No idea, Jill. But then I'm not really interested, because I bet I would have to sell my first-born in order to afford that 880. I'm not prepared to consider that until Bernina comes up with a machine that has a setting where you can push a button and the machine quilts like Margo whilst I sit next to the machine sipping a single malt and doing my nails.

[Jill B.]

OH MY GOD THATS THE PERFECT SEWING MACHINE Lorchen, okay we need to have the quiters from around the world contact Benina and make this suggestion I say.... 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :P :P :P :P :P :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Norma H.]

But Lorchen, IT CAN. You just quilt in the hoop :P

There is a lot of talk about the new 880 on the Bernina 8-series Yahoo group. Lots of guessing, but today the price was posted: $13.999!

[Jill B.]

Well here in Australia the 830 is about $12,000.00 so this one will be far far more expensive I would say :cry: :cry:

[E.M. T.]

:shock: Yikes ! I'm going "retro" !!! Too much money !

[Jill B.]

Found this photo of the 880

[Norma H.]

Nice to see it. The only difference from the 830, I can tell, is the screen. I'm not tempted as I love the screen on my 830

[Renata L.]

I agree with you Norma--I like my 830 screen too. This one resembles the screen on the 5 and 7 series machines and even though I played with them, I prefer my 830 screen. I suppose it's whatever you get used to and are comfortable with. I'll be interested to see what other bells and whistles the 880 possesses but my 830 has more than enough capability for me so I would not even consider changing! For the design capabilities that the 880 offers, I can do as much and more with my Bernina V6 software.

Thanks for the photo, Jilly!

[Renata L.]

I have owned Berninas since the 1980s. About a year ago I purchased a 830LE, at nearly the cost of the new 880. Never again will I purchase another Bernina because of my disappointment with the machine, Bernina’s business model/professionalism, and the quality of Bernina’s education (it varies from dealer to dealer with no active monitoring/feedback provided to Bernina of America). I wrote a letter to Mr. Ashworth, president of Bernina, in July and I have not received an answer from him. I believe it is extraordinary for a customer to write a letter to a CEO/president of a company and fail to receive a response. A copy of the letter was sent to Bernina’s customer service and I did not receive a letter from them either. I simply received a letter from the dealer - and it was totally unsatisfactory. Based upon my research, I know others have had similar experiences. I would recommend anyone contemplating a purchase of the new 880 research the experiences of those who purchased the 800 series before investing.

[Fran K.]

Yikes, I thought my sister's 830 was a bit overwhelming and had too many problems with the learning curve -- didn't feel the love. But when I saw the 750 in the shop a few months ago, it was calling out to me - the 750 is definitely MY machine! So far I've only had 2 of my lessons at the shop -- more to come -- but I'm a VERY happy former Pfaff user, and I'm looking forward to my upcoming lessons! I'm not interested in forging into new territory.

[Jo A.]

I bought an Artista 730 about a year and a half ago. It was my "dream machine", and a surprise from my husband. It is my third Bernina, and I, too, have been a loyal customer since the early 1990's.

This machine has been a disappointment to me--not up to Bernina quality. There have been a number of things wrong with it, one or two which don't seem fixable. I'm always having to fuss with it to get it to sew, always having to take it in to be fixed, not what I expect of a Bernina. What I wish is that Bernina would take this one back and give me another one just like it, but the dealer has told me they don't do that.

The only reason I keep it is because of the BSR. As soon as my free motion skills improve or some other brand comes out with something as good as the BSR, I will probably trade it in. I was considering writing to the CEO of Bernina as the above poster did, but I now see that it will be a waste of time.

I would be happy for input on how others have gotten difficulties resolved, and I can list my difficulties and document my repairs.

If I have posted this in the wrong section, I apologize. Please let me know where and how to move it and I will be glad to do so.

If Ihave posted this in tthewrong section, iI apologize I'll ease let me know where and how to move it.r

[Jo A.]

The new machine looks very much like the 830/820. I spent a boatload on the 820 and worked with it for 3yrs. It was a nightmare. Sewing with that machine was a constant battle. I knew that machine inside and out an how to work with it. I spent hours re-threading, re-booting,constant thread breaks, false alarms indicating the thread was broken, and fiddling with the tension to prevent "eyelashes" on the back of my quilt. The BSR would not work well either. I was better with free motion without the BSR. If the darned thing worked as it was supposed to, it was a dream machine. I corresponded with 820/830 users from Australia, Africa, Great Britain, Sweden, Canada, etc. All of them had the same problems. I do not blame my dealer he was very responsive and even sent the machine to Bernina headquarters in Aurora, Il. I will not recommend the purchase of the new machine. Way to much money and way too many problems. I finally sold the Bernina and bought a Brother. Much less expensive with lots of bells and whistles. Plus it recognizes all the thread I use and does not break thread constantly. It does not have as many stitches, but has a large throat for stuffing large quilts through. It also has an awesome platform that fits around the free arm. It is so slick I no longer need one of the expensive silicone pads to facilitate ease of fabric movement. I have an old Bernina 930 and love it. I asked the CEO of Bernina (he came to my dealers shop) why they quit making parts for that iconic machine and he gave me a rather snotty response about the new machines being so much better and they would not look back. I assume that is why they named the newest and greatest machines after the original iconic 820 machines.

[E.M. T.]

I agree, Ladies.....My 820 has been a huge, expensive lesson . Great, when it works :shock: ....a repeating
nitemare every couple a weeks !! :roll: Struggling on.....

[ANNE E.]

Maybe you should put your complaint on one of the social networks like face book, that would be sure to get a response.
I think these manufacturers put too many bells and whistles on the machines just to make money $14.000 is a ridiculous amount to pay for a machine.
I read that the 880 has over 1700 stitches....is this true
Anne