So frustrated with my Bernina 830! Looking for recommendations for replacement
 

I purchased a Bernina 830 about 3 years ago with some inheritance $$$ from my mother, who instilled my love for sewing. I have been sooo disappointed! Due to my schedule since her death, I have had more limited sewing time (used to sew everyday for stress relief). EVERY TIME I sit down to do anything on this machine it takes me 1-3 hrs to get it to sew correctly and it seems to be that it just has to decide for itself when it is ready to work because what I do to fix it one day does not work the next. Yesterday I spent all day trying to get it to work and it never did. I have had it to the shop several times and it always sews fine there, but I get it home and it is a completely different story. I have tried different thread, needles, stabilizers, everything with no luck. I am DONE with this machine! I need a machine that I can sit down and sew or embroider that works when I sit down. This Bernina has made me dread sewing....something that I NEVER thought possible! Please give me some recommendations for sewing/embroidery machines. I want a larger throat and something that will accommodate a larger embroidery hoop. Thanks so much!

Honestly I would have pay for a repairman/dealer for an hour or two to come to my house. When the machine is not working stop and leave it as is. Then schedule the repairman/dealer to come and don't touch the machine again until the appointment. For the cost of the machine that expense would be worth it. The first new 830 had a lot of problems that a good dealer would know how to get corrected.

Is this the older 830 or the newer model. I only use Aurifil and Mettler Silk finished on my Bernina 1530. I have it serviced about every 18 months and I have only had one problem with it since I bought it originally in the late 90s.

I do not personally have any experience with the 830, but have heard that they do take some getting used to. Did your dealer offer classes on the machine, and did you take them? I love my Berninas, but do not want to do any embroidery so do not have a machine with that feature. Are you able to sew a basic seam without trouble? Is it only when using the embroidery that you are stymied, or is it giving you trouble regardless of what you do? For what a Bernina costs, I'd be going back to the dealer, plan to spend some time there to show them what is happening when you try to use the machine and have them show you how to do it correctly or find out exactly what is wrong so that they can fix it.

My 830 had so many parts and sensors replaced in the first year that I was about ready to throw it out a window. It had to be sent to Bernina HQ and took a month to get back. Still not fixed! Luckily my local tech was able to get the bugs worked out and then the embroidery mother board died. It's now a great machine 2 years later, but for the price paid I should not have had to deal with a product that had so many issues and needing so many parts. I want to scream at all the people who claim it's user error and to take a class to know your machine better. Having a machine full of faulty sensors and needing about 20 trips to a dealer for repairs is not user error. LOL. Now, I'm happy with it but if I had to do it all again I would not buy the machine.

I love my brother Dreamweaver XE VM6200D. It has 11.25 inch harp, wonderful lighting, an awesome dual feed foot with so many available attachments. I just got the 1/4 inch piecing attachment and quilt guidebar attachment, there is also a SITD, couching and open toe foot for this dual feed can do 10 layers of denim , no hump jumper need perfect tension and stitching even when piecing I love love this foot. It is huge but it is detachable. sew straight laser can be used for a few different techniques. The penpal is used for stopping at precise locations for stitching, adjust sew straight laser position, needle position, stitch width, what doesn't it do. It also adjust positioning for embroidery hooping straight and adjustment for turning. the embroidery foot comes whith a led droplight for easy positioning of start point. Nice features include speed adjutment, needle down, lock stitch, pivoting feature, AHA for perfect stitch tension, knee lift, FMQ beautiful, large user friendly screen with tutorials built into machine. Option to add multifunction foot pedal(worth the investment) and optional upgrade to 8x12 hoop since 7x12 hoop size comes on the machine. I used all features right out of box. Manual is super thorough. This machine has been an absolute dream to use. A few things I did not like about the machine. They only provide you with 2 hoops when most other machines came with 4, wide table not included when machine is made for quilting. the free arm is a little thick okay for bags but not sleeves. This feature I mention next cannot be remedied that the machines is a beast weighs well over 50lb, lots of metal so delusions of it being a great class travel machine are out the door. I feel like I get a hernia everytime I have to move it. It is compatible with the new dream fabric frame which is an awesome frame except for the fact of previous statement of this thing being huge and heavy. Despite the lack of hoops and huge size. I think this is a great machine for quilters and sewers. I have sewn minky, fleece, modal jersey cotton, vinyl, denim flannel all with easy this machines does anything I ask of it. My favorite features are the dual feed foot AKA Muvit foot, the penpal attachment, the pivoting feature, the foot pedal and how it FMQ with foot and straightline quilts with the muvit foot. I do not regret my purchase. This was my first ever embroidery machine and embroidery placement has been super easy the machine screen is user friendly. This brand is by far the most user friendly of any brand with the exception of babylock since their TOL machines are made by brother and have twin versions to every brother line. The twin to my machine will be the Babylock Unity. 2 differences between the companies are the embroidery designs built in will be different, and brother has the my custom stitch feature, all of the utility and decorative stitches are exactly the same, the screens will look different since they install their own software but it is similar style. The outer casing will also look different since they only purchase the insides

I got a 580 for Christmas and I'm having a ton of problems with it. Had it one week before the motor started clacking. The people who have the 830 say it is finicky. So you are not alone in dealing with problems with that machine. There is a Yahoo group for Berninas that you might be able to get support form.

Sorry you are having issues -- I've had my 830 for quite a while and LOVE it! I've never had a problem with mine. Hope you are able to solve your problems!

I would suggest a Brother stand alone embroider machine and a separate machine with the features you want for sewing. There is no reason to have to buy from a dealer. All how tos and answers are on youtube, blogs, forums and Facebook now. And buying online, at Amazon for instance, you can return the the machine if you don't like it. Try that with a dealer.

I am having trouble copying the link to the post I started almost two years ago. Mary Ellen, I see you are new to the board. Welcome. I know exactly how you feel about the Bernina 830. I was also extremely frustrated. Please read my post about it being fixed. Click on my name. Go to profile and latest started threads and scroll down to my Bernina Fixed!! I was determined to have it fixed and it now works beautifully. I clean and oil it regularly. Check your threading. Lots of Bernina YouTube videos, including that. I am afraid to take it in and have it serviced as I'm afraid it will be screwed up again. I also am afraid to do the updates and my dealer said not to as it can affect the tension and sensors. I don't mind adjusting the tension as long as it stays and works properly. I now love it. If you still want a new machine, Dolfyngirl had some good points. Good luck. You will love this board. It is the best resource source and the people are so nice.

mabe that's why yours is good, purchased in 90's.......
I know nothing about , but I do understand your frustration about how newer machines can be expensive POJs......

I had the 820 which is the same model as the 830 but without the embroidery module & I have to admit that it was very finicky about thread etc. Loved the bigger bobbin but one small bit of lint or thread & it acted up. Very fussy about thread in particular. I finally gave up on it & traded it in on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic & I LOVE this machine. So far so good. I look forward to sewing on it whenever I can which is almost every day. I miss a couple of features of the Bernina but not enough to want it back & give up my Epic. I love this machine. I had read a lot of questionable reviews on the 830 & my Bernina dealer closed down her business so the nearest dealer to me was the Husqvarna dealer & she is amazing !! Goes out of her way to help & is always offering classes on the features of the Epic & a couple of their other higher end machines. Check with a reputable dealer & decide from there what it is you want. Good luck.

I have used only Viking sewing machines for many years and have had no problem. Some were less expensive and some top of the line. All good and no problems. Find a Viking dealer and see what they offer.

If you are looking to change, here is what I did. I formerly had a Bernina. I moved to Janome because it is so much more user friendly. I would suggest going to a Janome dealer (do not buy on line) and have them demo for you. Be sure to test drive the model you are thinking of purchasing. Right now I have two Janomes...one to use at home and one to tote around. Love them both.

Well, I would buy a Janome! I have the 6500 model and love it! it has all the whistles and bells that you need in a quilting machine plus the big throat! check it out or one the newer models!

Every once in awhile any product May have a lemon. This happened to me several years ago with a Bernina 1630. To their credit and with my good dealers help they did replace the machine. Your dealership knows the trouble you have had and should support you. Try to find an address or telephone number for Bernina USA and contact them directly. Be firm with what you want, be persistent but not antagonistic and good luck.

The Bernina 830 is a very sensitive machine and I can understand you being so frustrated when you sit to sew and relax and all you get are problems. The 830 IS a learning curve, and it took me awhile to get mine to play nice as well. However, now that it does play well....I am very happy. New machine......Get one that has a great dealer you can work with. Or....go back to your dealer and sew with your machine there. Sometimes it is just a silly little thing that you are doing or not doing that creates problems. Do this when you have time and NOT frustrated with your machine. Good Luck.....I can't recommend another brand because I am only using Bernina's now. I hear that Brother and Janome are both user friendly though. My suggestion is if you decide to trade...go to a dealer you like and trust and is VERY knowledgeable about her/his products. Good Luck.

Forgot to mention I too belong to the great yahoo Bernina group it is run by a VERY knowledgeable gal. I highly recommend it as well.

FYI - I went out and looked at the Bernina site and they only offer a 880 in this series now. The other 800's are no longer show. Thought it was a little odd.

I hear you and agree
 

:thumbup:I purchased a Bernina 830 about 3 years ago with some inheritance $$$ from my mother, who instilled my love for sewing. I have been sooo disappointed

I was always a big Bernina booster, always had one as my main machine. I wanted to upgrade my 440 to one with more bells and whistles, so I took the plunge and got the 830. Boy was I disappointed, it was a thread picky, overly sensitive diva as a machine. The dealer was half a day away over some mountains so getting there was a long day indeed. Sometimes it is not user error or lack of expertise some times it is just poor/over engineered design. After lots of trips over for classes, adjustments, I took it home and sewing on it was a steady exercise in turning off features until I just would dread sewing on it at all. For as much money as I spent on it and the fact it was a Bernina I expected a better sewing machine. I sold it on E bay, took a loss but gained enough to buy a Viking Ruby Deluxe from a local dealer. I also have a Brother Innovis that is about 5yrs old. The Viking is great for piecing and embroidery but for free motion quilting I find it a bit clunky. The brother works great for piecing and free motion so between them we get them done and the dealer is local so no more over the mountain trips. For a replacement I would say Babylock, Brother, Viking high end or some where in the middle. Find a dealer and really check out all the machine, bring your own project to sew on not the over-starched denim the dealer uses, and your favorite thread to see how well each works for you. I do miss the large 11" harp but I get by with my paltry 9". Lately I have been looking at the Babylock Crescendo as it has the large harp and a even-feed feature. I does not have embroidery but I find I use embroidery much less than I thought I would so the Viking can go in a space and be just for that if I choose to add yet one more machine to the mix.
As a side note...I keep asking myself "just how many machines does a woman need.....but then when has it ever been about need only just want"

Before you go anywhere, check out E-bay to see what machines are reselling for, right now there are a lot of 830s out there for about half of what they sold for retail. It is a good place to check out what kinds of machines are out there at what relative re-sale values

Is your machine sitting level? If not then it will not work right. These 830's MUST be level. It also must be on a very sturdy table, as they vibrate a lot. Does your bobbin have any of the silver worn off? If so it won't work or will throw the machine off. The 830's is "Sewing computers". I've had a few issues with mine, but got the bugs worked out. I use my machine a lot. A tiny piece of thread stuck where it shouldn't be will throw it off & cause major issues. When I took mine in for service I sat with the tech. There were times it'd sew great for him, but once home back to the same problems. The next time they set it up on a table in their class room & the tech sewed on it & then I sewed on it. Yep it did all the things I had trouble with at home. So one of the ladies tried & she too had trouble. Upon further inspection...totally ripping the whole machine apart, the tech found a tiny piece of thread had somehow worked it's way into the right side of the machine & wrapped around a sort of wheel thing that tells the machine to change needle position, cut the thread, etc. I kept getting the "geasrs of death, warnings the thread was broke when it wasn't, needle would stitch up & down in place real fast, etc. No idea how that thread got in there, as it's a closed off area under the main steel plate, but once out it now works great.

I'd suggest calling your dealer & set up a day to spend the whole a day at your dealer. Have a few different people sew on it, thread, it, do embroidery, etc & see if any of the issues you have show up. INSIST they fix it.

[QUOTE=Mary Ellen Lowry;7519499]I purchased a Bernina 830 about 3 years ago with some inheritance $$$ from my mother, who instilled my love for sewing. I have been sooo disappointed!

I've not owned the Bernina 830 but my SIL bought one about a year after I purchased a Brother Quattro. Her machine was always giving her problems & she had it in the shop many times. About 5 years after buying the 830, she had had enough & purchased the new Babylock Destiny & just loves it. In the 7 years I have had my Quattro, I've only had it into the dealer for repairs once. I thought about trading her in for a new Brother Dream or Babylock Destiny (virtually same machine), but just couldn't justify the price, even with trade-in. I'm embarrassed to say that I've yet to explore all my Quattro has to offer and I do love my machine, so I just don't need all the new bells & whistles (even tho I'd like to play with them)! Good luck with whatever machine you decide to go with!

I am so sorry you are having problems with your machine. That can turn sewing into a job instead of relaxing. I know nothing about your machine. I have Janomes and I love them. first Janome I have had for about 14 years. Never had any problems at all. I have never taken it in to the shop. I do all the up keep myself, not that it needs much. My second Janome (P6600) I have had only about 3 years and haven't done a lot of sewing lately but have had no problems with it. Check out the Janomes. Very user friendly. Good Luck.

You should go to a Brothers dealer and check out their machines. I have had 4 different ones and couldn't have been happier. Easy to use and fabulous stitching. Don't know where you are but you can't go wrong with a Brothers machine. Our dealer here in NM is absolutely amazing!

I agree. I have gone through a Viking Designer 1, a Pfaff 2056 (?), and now own a Janome 8900. I am very happy with it. I do have other machines for taking to class, but my Janome is my home machine and I love it.

I had a 830 but by the time it went up to Chicago I was fed up with. My dealer gave me an even trade for a 550. I love it she even gave me the tray for it also.

I'm interested in whether or not you took the guide classes and followed what they said. I have had 2 Berninas (1630 and 180 which is my current Bernina) and you do have to do what they say and be diligent about cleaning the bobbin area and changing needles. I never had any problems with thread on mine but sometimes did have to make some tensions adjustments for specialty threads and have a spare bobbin case so that I can use one when I need to adjust the bobbin tension.

I have the old Bernina 180. It is a wonderful machine, but limited in the new size hoops and technology. Embroiders and sews perfectly. The newer ones just aren't as easy to use.

Wow, this is interesting to me. I have two old Berninas and they are workhorses. Sounds like the newer Berninas aren't made like the old ones. Sorry to hear that although I expect my two old machines will see me through the remainder of my sewing days.