Did I make a huge mistake???
 

Yesterday in a moment of making a quick decision, I bought a Bernina 830. I did not do any research, or ask very many questions. After I got home I read one review from a Pfaff fan and she had one and hated it! Said it would not quilt worth a darn. I mainly use my machine for making donation quilts for the Children s Hospital here in Oklahoma City. If you have one of these machines, or know anything about them, please don't hesitate to comment. Not that I could do anything about it now!!

I think you're going to love it. I have been saving to buy one of the Berninas with the stitch regulator. I hang out at our local Bernina shop a lot and haven't seen unhappy Bernina users yet.

Never base a decision on a single review. I read a negative review by someone who didn't like a machine because it didn't fit in the cabinet. Enjoy your machine.

I have several guild friends with that machine - they have had them for a long time and like them a lot. I think you will too!

I cannot understand why a leading sewing machine company would re-use the same model numbers, instead of creating a unique name and number for the new machine. I believe there are two model 830 Bernina's. One is the older mechanical one that many people would love to own, and then there is the newer 830 that does everything but make your coffee. My guess is that you have bought the bells & whistles newer one.

Some people never bond with a new machine, and some don't try very hard. If you bought this new machine from a dealer, ask about classes and learn everything about it that you can. Discuss your reservations with the seller and let them "prove it". I've even been offered classes at a nominal fee for a machine I'd had for years and bought elsewhere. Meanwhile, sew, sew, sew.

Judge for yourself....you could just as easily have not seen that review and read another one that was positive. I own a 7 series Bernina, and have a friend who is a prolific quilter of a high standard who does so on her Bernina 8 series machine. Every machine is going to be unsuitable for someone, and every machine is going to be perfect for someone else. Wait and see, you may be delighted with your purchase after all. If the worse comes to the worse I guess you could always sell it or trade it so don't stress...clear your head and give the 830 a chance; you may very well end up all smiles! Just give the machine (and you) a fair chance.

I do not have one, but I have heard pros and cons about a lot of machines including the one that I do have. (Brother SQ9000). Don't go by the words of one person, and see for yourself what your new machine can and cannot do.

I am sure you will be very happy. It is quite normal after purchasing such a large ticket item to have a twinge of buyers remorse. I had a momentary freak out after signing the contract for my longarm and I didn't see any negative reviews! It all worked out and I love my machine. I am sure you will love your Bernina too! I know I love mine but it is a much older machine and not quite as loaded as yours. Like others said, make sure you take advantage of any classes offered so you can get the most out of your new machine and enjoy!

Take that one negative review with the proverbial grain of salt. My guess is you'll love it, but do take the machine know-how classes that should be offered free with purchase. You won't be sorry once you see everything that baby can do.

I have an older Bernina 1530 and I am STILL quilting on it. She won me many ribbons in quilt shows. I have had hardly any problems with her since I bought her new out of the box. Check into if any classes are being offered. I wouldn't trust the opinion of someone who posted about a Bernina and she stated she was a Pfaff fan.

Are you talking about the vintage Bernina 830?

http://qisforquilter.com/2012/10/bernina-830-record/

They are one of the most sought after vintage sewing machines.

This machine will do everything except the laundry. There is a lot to it and you really should explore all the wonderful things it can do. It takes time to learn how to use a new machine and all its bells and whistles, so I too encourage you to take lessons on its use. I'm thinking about getting one, but by the time I save enough money they will probably come out with an even newer machine.

My friend has that machine and she loves it! She has the older model and would love to buy the new one, just can't afford it right now.

Just like buying a car, you may have one you absolutely love & your next door neighbor might absolutely hate the same car. Don't let someone else's likes/ dislikes opinions dictate what you have. You just might find you absolutely Love it! BERNINA's are very reputable machines & company with good customer service. I know a number of Bernina owners who talk down about my Viking all the time-- I happen to love my old Viking. :). Not going to give it up just because ( so & so) doesn't like it.

You did not make a mistake. I bought one 6 years ago. Had problems at first with thread breakage big time but the hook was changed and it got better. I got better with adjusting the tension and so did the technician 😀. I did write about it here. I have to say I love it and am happy I have it. I thought I would use the embroidery module more. I do love to quilt on it. Love so much about it - knee lift, needle up/down, just on and on. I used the BSR at first, lately not using it. Like others have said, get classes. There are also a lot from Bernina on YouTube. I have two recommendations. Clean, clean, clean the bobbin case, especially when quilting. 2nd thing is to oil regularly. Enjoy!

Take a breath ... make a quilt sandwich ... and try it out. I believe, by law, you always have 3 days after purchasing an item to return it.

No, you didn´t ! Congrats on your new machine.

All the bad reviews I have heard were when the machine first came out and it had problems. Those should be fixed by now on the later issued machines. If it messes up take it to the dealer immediately. Don't think it was your fault. A machine this great (expensive) shouldn't have you second guessing yourself.

No, Anna Quilts, I bought the 830 with the embroidery capabilities.

I appreciate all the positive comments. Yes I purchased from the Bernina dealer and yes I am taking the classes. I can't get in until November 17th...seems like a long time to wait!

Sounds like a lot of fun! Bernina has an excellent reputation and you got classes lined up. Enjoy!!!!

I just returned from the Houston Quilt Festival and took several classes on a variety of machines . . .and have to say, it just made me appreciate my BERNINA that much more! It's a 780, not 830 . . .but uses the huge honking "m class" bobbins and runs smooth as silk. One particular top of the line machine I sewed on (and it's sold for about $5000 more than my $9000 780) couldn't even sew full speed without vibrating so bad it was difficult to control the seam. There's a reason some of the best quilters in the world, choose Bernina and it's not because they're paid to endorse it . . .theyre simply fantastic machines. I'll be 52 in January and I'm confident my machine, used daily, will outlive me.

I really don't see how you could not like a bernina! Sew SEW and SEW!!!! You will like it and they last forever.

I have an 820, which is the same as yours except no embroidery. I love it! It has a wonderful stitch quality and great tension. The main reasons I got it was the big throat space that's wonderful for quilting larger quilts. You'll love it too!

[After I got home I read one review from a Pfaff fan and she had one and hated it!]

Haven't read all the replies so I hope this isn't repeating another post... I would guess someone who is a Pfaff fan may have preferences that machine meets and maybe she didn't care for the other machine because it had different operations or worked differently. And I'm sure there are some that like both machines. If you like it and it does what you want it to you made a good choice for yourself. If later you find you like the Pfaff better than the lesson learned is it is worthwhile to not be impulsive and to do some comparative shopping. Also this ONE person could have bought the proverbial Lemon.

Bernina has reassigned the number 830. The old timers love the same machine I do -- from the 1970's -- which is not the same as the one available the last couple of years with the same number!

I don't trust all the reviews anymore since finding out that some Amazon reviews were faked. I have two Bernina's one for each place we live and they are both 550's. Absolutely love them, they have been the best, and I do have a nice Pfaff as well but use the Bernina as I find it does everything I want.

You can not go wrong with a Bernina. I have the 930 Record from, I think, 1984. ��

Keep in mind that the review you read could have been "operator difficulty".

I have owned both types of Bernina 830 machine
 

As for the older 830 Record it is a great machine and I will never give it up. As for the new computerized 830 the story does not end happily. I found the big new 830 to be a real picky princess of a machine. It was thread picky, prone to breakdowns. Pray you never get the "gears of death" screen. My dealer was over the mountain almost 3 hours one way. The tension would go wonky on a regular basis. I figured out to fix it by turning off a feature. I gradually learned to turn off various features to keep from getting error messages. Not a good sign for a very spendy machine. Finally I was sitting at the machine thinking did I really want to sew on it at all. The answer for me was no and that is when I traded it in for a less picky machine. Not another Bernina but from a local dealer. Yes my new machine works fine and does what I expect it to. No it does not have all the special bells and whistles the 830 had. I was a loyal Bernina customer up until that point. I sort of miss having a new Bernina sitting on the sewing table but it is what it is. I hear the brand that I have now is coming out with a new TOL all the bells and whistles machine. I was asked if I was going to upgrade and the answer is no. I have decided that I just want to sew, clothing, toys, and quilts, do some embroidery now and then and only have to have it serviced once a year. I do not need to be updated on my phone that a color change on the embroidery is needed. One, I don't own a smart phone, and two I can hear the machine from most everywhere in the house so I know when the embroidery is done. I don't need to store patterns on the cloud. I have a drawer where all the software is stored. If I have an auto thread cutter, a needle threader, and a really bright led light then I am happy. Having a lot of fancy stitches is nice even though I don't use them all that much. Having said all this, good for you if you like your 830LE, if you want to embroider everything in sight then good on you and enjoy. May you never have the gears of death in you life.

Friends of mine that own Berninas love them. I don't think you made a mistake. I'm a Janome lover. People get use to their machines and have different preferences. I wouldn't let one negative comment influence you. Your Bernina is a great machine and the brand is very well regarded!

You bought an excellent machine. I went to a flip and stitch quilting class and that is the machine we used. It's an amazing machine and you will love the embroidery module. If you've never machine embroidered before it will be a bit of a learning curve. Once you get your machine you will love it! They are well built machines, the only negative thing I have to say is the bobbin is different from any other machine on the market and you have to buy them from a dealer.

I wouldn't worry about a review. There isn't a product out there that satisfies 100% of the people 100% of the time. I don't have that machine but I have always heard good about Berninas in general. Also you have all of these great people on this board to help you so you aren't alone. Have fun with your new machine.

I think you will love the Bernina! Give it and yourself time to get use to each other and take classes to learn all you can. Enjoy!

I too made a snap decision and purchased a Bernina QE550 simply because I had a Bernina from 1968 til 1989 and always regretted buying a Husqvarna at that time. So far my only complaint is the huge size of the feet. Almost feel they are too big to see around. Hopefully will get used to them when I get to start using the machine again in the spring. Good luck on yours!

I think they had some problems with that machine when it first came out, but I'm sure they have worked them out by now. I have a 13 year old Bernina and it is still a wonderful machine. Take your classes and learn what all it will do, and enjoy! I hear it is an awesome machine.

This reminds me of my current automobile - a minivan. It wasn't even an impulse; I had researched that automobile for weeks, thought I knew what I wanted. But after driving it home I had such buyer's remorse I wouldn't even look at it or drive it for days. It just sat in my driveway, unloved, unwanted, a big expensive rejected white elephant! But I got over my fit and gave it -- and me -- a chance. And now I love that car! And my family does, too.

Forget the review you read. If you've bought the machine and can't return it, then give it a chance. Sew on it, learn it, get used to it. Berninas are (I hear from people who own them) wonderful machines. I'm betting you will love it!

YOu are going to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this machine. It is SOOOOO FUN!!!! Glad to hear you bought from a dealer. There are a lot of VIDEOS on line you can watch. Bernina has a fantastic website and answers to all your questions are there....sometimes they are just hard to find.
Start here: http://www.bernina.com/en-CA/Products-CA/BERNINA-products/Sewing-Quilting-and-Embroidery/BERNINA-8-Series/BERNINA-830#!tutorials
Did you get the mastery instructions? Your dealer should have them on a CD for you. If not you should be able to download from the Bernina Site.

Also join the 8 Series Bernina group on Yahoo.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bernina_series8/info

Lots of help and info here.