Home Again, Home Again

Baby was quite useful during my time without my Bernina 830, but I clapped like a child when I got the phone call to come pick up the big machine. Now that it’s back, and I’m piecing the rest of the string blocks, I notice how quiet, fast, and precisely accurate it is. A Bernina 830 sews like a dream, so if you ever get the chance to use one, don’t pass it up!! I can’t wait to embroider something or use one of the thousands of built in decorative stitches. For now, I’m content to complete my humble string quilt. 25 blocks left, which should take me either one marathon sewing session or three normal sessions of sitting down with it. Strings, if you’ve never tried them are so simple to do, and therefore very relaxing. There’s no “measure and cut this fabric at EXACTLY xyz”. You’ll find a fabulous tutorial here at Film in the Fridge. You’ll also find many, many other amazing things there, so be forewarned! You’ll be there a while, I bet! =}

‘Kay bye!

Top Ten Reasons to Buy a Bernina 830

10. It’s Swiss, and it runs like clockwork! Because it’s a precision instrument (of speed and aerodynamics?), it’s a smooth operator.

9. There’s a button on the frame that allows you to clip threads, raise needle, and raise presser foot in one motion. Can we say spoiled quilting?

8. The 830 threads itself, which means you can sew into the wee hours without hurting your eyes. I mean, if you want to. Not that I’ve ever done that sort of thing. Well, maybe. Once.

7. You don’t have to drive the 830 with your foot. You can start your sewing with a button on the machine head, and off it goes while you guide fabric. Yeah, it does that!

6. Space, the final frontier! There are 12 whole inches in the “hole” (to the right of the needle). I’m told a king size quilt fits in there!

5. The need for speed. It’s wicked fast-1100 stitches per minute. Newbies be warned, you want to start at medium speed. Yes, there’s a slider to adjust your speed!

4. It’s pretty. I know, that’s totally superficial and shallow! Shouldn’t your creative space and tools be attractive?

3. Less bobbin changes. The bobbin is larger, so it needs to be wound less frequently. Projects finish faster-woo hoo!

2. It mounts on a frame. You can buy a frame to make the 830 into a longarm quilting system. Woah!

1. It multitasks. The 830 pieces and sews, quilts easily, mounts to longarm quilt, and embroiders. The question becomes what can’t you create on the 830!

Which Bernina?

     My LQS, Loving Stitches, has been gracious with me as I lurked around their shop, 

peppering the staff with questions! They’ve also been patient as I test drove Bernina models!  

Wonder if they were placing bets on the model I’d choose?

          As per these pictures, a talented LS team member whipped up a sample at a local fiber arts show recently.

 And when I say whipped, I mean she chatted and joked as she wielded her magic wand.

I wanted to run home and hide it before she noticed I’d absconded with her samples. The front is pretty, but the back is divine!!

She was using the 830, and let me drive the BSR. Sold.