Knock me over with a feather!
 

I've been sewing on a Bernina 440QE for the past couple of years and really loved her. By no means had I learned everything about her either.

Back track a bit....I stepped into a hole in my local Wal-Mart's parking lot in Sept of 2010. Broke my ankle and also did a lot of damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons. The break healed but the other has bothered me until March of this year when they finally did surgery to clean up my ankle.

We've been going back and forth with Walmart on the settlement for the past few weeks and came to an agreement last week.

I've wanted to upgrade my machine for a while but didn't know if I wanted one of the new 7 series and had no plans to get an 830 at all. Yeah I would have loved one but....

Well my husband told me to go get the 830!!! She's previously loved and has no blemishes at all on her!! She's got 1.6 million stitches. Her name is AllieB. In honor of both my grandmothers who sewed and quilted.

I'm so ready to jump in with both feet but am making myself hold on and try and learn about her before getting too overwhelmed. :)

Good thing I live some 30 miles or so from my dealer! Watch out world!!! I'm coming through with both guns blazing and ready to sew all my fabric!!!

Hugs!

Congratulation! At least you will get some joy after all your pain and suffering!

These machines are truly a wonder. I traded my 440 for the 580 which I love, but I work on the 830s. The space available in awesome even before you consider what else it does. I hope you have many years of stitches with AllieB.

I bought my 830 2 1/2 years ago. I love her but I have problems with thread. She likes 50 wt. I had to buy some 30 wt. to do my binding and every few stitches the thread would break. I had to get out my Viking Quilt Designer to do the binding. Talk about a difference in machines. I didn't feel like I had control of the Viking...I couldn't slow the speed down and my binding looks horrible. I need to figure out why I can't use different thread on my 830. That is the only problem I have with her. I am so use to using the 830 and all its features, that when I used the Viking, I realized how spoiled I was. Go for the 830. They make sewing a dream. If I can only figure out the thread thingie, everything will be okay.

Glad you've reached a settlement and can enjoy sewing again.

Congratulations on your 830. I have had mine for about 2 years. Have used only 50 weight and Isacord embroidery threads. You might need to check for tension settings for 30 weight thread.

mltquilt

If you haven't had your 830 in for a service in awhile, have her go in for the update (another one!) and a thread protector. These are under warrant and very easy for your tech to install. This may help alot with thread breakage.

after all the pain you well deserve the joy---remember to get up and walk around frequently--also become able to use either foot on the pedal

I also have an 830 and it has taken me two years to get my machine to sew with specialty thread (metallics, etc) I put it on a thread stand away from the back of my machine so the thread has time to untwist before it gets to the tension. I also use "Sewers Aid Lubricant " on the thread spool itself. I talked with a Bernina educator in September and she said she puts specialty thread in a cup on the floor to help untwist it. Use a 90/14 or 100/16 Topstitch needle to quilt with or sew with the special threads. I hope this helps you not have the headaches I did when I first got my machine. I was ready to return it several times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh, I'm so sorry for all the pain you've had to go through. I hope you really enjoy the machine. You deserve it.

What a lovely husband after all your pain and distress a marvellous outcome.

Congrats on your AllieB and your settlement! Wow, it is wonderful to see such useful tips on using thread! Enjoy!

Yeah You! I know this has been really hard on you. The new machine should go nicely with your "new before the accident" sewing room.

You should call her Wally!

I traded my 440 for an 830 and there was a learning curve but I really do like it. It's an adventure when you learn something new and there is so much to learn. Classes from Bernina help immensely as does their website. I'm glad you have healed and congratulations on the new machine!! Enjoy!

Congratulations on your acquiring your 830!

I'm so glad you get a decent settlement. My mom slipped and fell in WM. there was something like flour on the floor and she fell. the shopping cart over turned on her and not only did the fall mess up her back and knee but it took out a big part of the skin around her knee. She's hired several different lawyers from very prestigous law offices and the guess they all sold out to WM except the last one. He didn't ask her about what she expected to get..nothing. he just settled for $20,000. He would take his part, give the one that comes in and tries to settle.can't think of his title right now...his part..medicare their part and mom was left with just over $5,000. Her back surgery alone without any complications was suppose to be $60,000. She hasn't had the surgery. She can't afford it. Medicare won't pay for it since she was injured at WM. WM won't pay either. needless to say she refused the money. She said if that's all there was to her pain and suffering WM needed it worse than she did...and she's still suffering both with her back, backbone and knee.

Welcome to the 830 club! I bought a gently used one a year ago and it is truly amazing. I mostly use it for embroidery - so fast and lovely. It is my third Bernina. enjoy and show us your stuff!

A dealer told me that Bernina is having a lot of trouble with the 830. Also, several people on here have had problems as well. Do some research before you buy, would be my advice. Good Luck!

I'm looking at the new 780 ... Supoose to have all the kinks from the 830 iron out.. The demos and what I've seen looks good...still thinking.....

I'm with your husband - go for the 830. I'm not familiar with the Bernina machines at all, but they seem to get high praise on QB. After all you've been through you deserve something special - too bad Wal-Mart took so long to settle, but I'm sure they felt they could wait you out. Hope my daughter doesn't have to wait as long for her accident to settle, but her agent is hopeful they will settle soon. She was rear-ended, had whiplash and lots of other injuries inside and out and is now in danger of losing her job because of the time off. Go for the gold girl, there will never be a better time to treat yourself.

Be careful jumping in with both feet! Don't want to damage another ankle!

I am so sorry for your accident but sew happy for you and your new machine! Enjoy!

"I'm so ready to jump in with both feet but am making myself hold on and try and learn about her before getting too overwhelmed. :)"

Better not try "jumping" considering your recent repairs! LOL

Congratulations!

Are you using the right type of needle? Try using a metallic needle or Titanium = they can make all the difference in the world. I have the 820 & it is one incredible machine. The only difference with the 820 & 830 is the embroidery module - mine does not do embroidery except for the designs already built into my machine. When I use my other machines (which I also love) I realise how spoiled I am with the great features on my Bernina. I absolutely love the extra large bobbin & the fact it will count down how much thread I have left on the bobbin. I could go on & on but you get the idea. Enjoy your new machine, you will surely love it.

Enjoy your new machine.

Thanks all!!! Part of the reason it's taken so long was the healing of the ankle. It took a couple of doctors to get to the bottom of all of it. But that's fine!

@Olebat! Long time no see and I've got my old Kenmore in the car! We have to make a date!!!!

Hugs to all!

You will love her!! I have the 820 and I used to have the 440 and I loved her too. But the 820 beats her hands down. Hope you get as much enjoyment out of your machine as I get out of mine!