Unpacking the Bernina 830
11.01.09
When you’re home alone on a Sunday afternoon and there are two big boxes containing a brand new Bernina 830 sewing and embroidery machine sitting in your living room/quilting studio, what else are you going to do but unpack the boxes, even if the cabinet you’re waiting for hasn’t arrived?
The sewing machine box is about 30″ wide, 17″ deep and 24″ tall. No small task moving this baby around! First out is the removable table, then some manuals and other bits and pieces, and finally the machine itself is revealed.
I was going to put it on the portable cutting table, but common sense prevailed. The cutting mat was moved over to the portable cutting table so that the Bernina 830 could have pride of place – and a good deal of stability – on the main cutting table.
Accessories
The Bernina 830 comes with 5 (beautifully big) bobbins – one of which is already in the machine; 10 feet, all of which have an optical eye, 2 of which work with the dual feed system; and a whole bunch of other things!
The white cone has a really good purpose – I just can’t remember what it is right now! From the left, the mirror for use when threading the bobbin for embroidery; a pair of tweezers; needle housing “screw driver”; stylus for the beautiful big screen; multi-purpose tool; cleaning brush; seam ripper; and some oil!
Bernina 8 series jumbo bobbins are much bigger than the bobbins for the other Bernina machines. They hold 40% more thread – so you can do a lot more stitching!
Every sewing machine needs a slide-on table, and the Bernina 830 really delivers! Nothing can beat a set-in cabinet for the ultimate sewing experience, but this slide-on table offers and excellent workspace – as well as support for the hoop when doing embroidery.
There’s a pretty sophisticated dust cover included with the Bernina 830, with a hole for the handle to show through and a number of pockets. So far I haven’t figured out what might go in these pockets, but they are there if you need them!
Embroidery Module
The embroidery module comes in a separate box. Taking the lid off reveals a tray containing 3 embroidery hoops (small, medium and large oval hoops), a USB cable, the #26 foot for embroidery, hoop clips, a box of literature and a CD.
Finally out of the box, and the embroidery module is ready to be attached to the sewing machine. It’s a pretty easy connection – lift up the left hand side of the embroidery module and tuck the two extensions on the right hand side into the sewing machine. A good solid surface is required to hold the machine to make sure that all contacts are made.
The sliding table is designed to be used with the embroidery module. It slides underneath the embroidery arm – and when installed it provides support for the hoop, especially the jumbo hoop.
This machine is now ready for action!!!
The biggest issue now is what to do with the boxes! Maybe it would make a good coffee table… watch this space for more news on that!
Tags: Bernina, Bernina 830
Sarah! Save the box for a coffee table. My dealer usually keeps the boxes but sent these boxes home with me. Good to have if you ever move and want the machine safe for shipping. AND she said the boxes cost her $43. When is your new cabinet due?
Hi Eileen,
This box is making a pretty good coffee table so far. It will look a whole lot better when I have made a cover for it! Hopefully the new cabinet will be here before the end of the week – tomorrow would be even better!!!
A friend encoraged me to check out this website, brill post, fanstatic read… keep up the cool work!
Hi Sarah – Thanks so much for your unpacking description. Here I was getting angry because I’d spent so much $$ on this machine and I didn’t think it came with the #26 embroidery foot. I thought that would have been pretty silly seeing as this is an embroidery machine. Oh, and I have a quilt on top of my box and it is used as my computer table so that I can watch movies while I’m sewing/quilting/painting/drawing/etc. I’d also love to know what kind of table you bought for your Bernina 830. I just have mine on an old table that has no storage. I’m curious as to whether you are happy with your cabinet. Thanks for your wonderful post.
Sarah.
My 830 will be arriving this Thursday with a first lesson at the Quilting Delights in Clackamas, Oregon.
I am interested in knowing what feet I will want to consider that do not come with the machine.
Thanks for the post.
Susie
Hi Susie,
I recommend getting a 34D and 57D. Both of these feet work with the 830 dual feed system – hence the D on the end. The 34D is the clear foot. I use this for all sorts of things! It’s geat for machine applique – there is a red line in the center of the foot that allows you to follow a line very easily. I also use this foot to finish a piped binding, also because of the red line. Sometimes I use this foot for piecing – moving the needle to give me a perfect 1/4″. The 57D is the 1/4″ foot with an edge guide. If you do a lot of piecing, this is probably a really good addition.
Hope that helps!
Sarah
I have a question. I am looking at an 830 but was told by a friend that it is hard to accurately get a 1/4 seam because of the 9mm, that the fabric wants to slide as you are sewing? I don’t want to have to have another machine to piece with after spending this much on a machine. What is your experience? Thanks for your response.
Sandy,
I have had no problem at all getting an accurate 1/4″ seam. I love to use the dual feed when piecing to get even more accuracy. My recommendation would be to go and sit at a machine and try it yourself. I’m sure your local Bernina dealer would be happy to let you do that. I am totally in love with my 830 – and am even thinking about buying a second one so that I can be doing embroidery on one and piecing or quilting on the other at the same time.
Hope this helps!
Sarah
I have just purchased an 830 and so far am not very happy with it. I am on my second one as the first had tension issues and the screen started acting up. the second one is having the same issues as the first involving tension! I am so frustrated and am concerned I have spent money (a lot of money) on a machine I am no going to be successfully with concerning piecing. I too do not want to have to have another machine to piece! I am using the 37D and moving the needle over but have problems with the end pieces getting hung up and pulled down in the stitch plate, even using a beginning piece of fabric. Help with any comments would be appreciated. I am very frustrated at this point.
Sandy; I went through the same tension and piecing issues, and here’s what I learned:
When you first put the thread in on the right hand side, before you run it across the top of the machine, hold it in both hands about a foot apart and slide it back and forth a couple of times like you’re flossing. WAIT UNTIL THE THREADING LIGHT COMES ON, and then run the thread across the top of the machine. Still holding on with your right hand, give the thread a little tug with your left to make sure it snaps into the tension disc, then continue down the left side and thread. This should fix the tension issue.
For piecing, get the straight stitch throat plate. The fabric doesn’t get eaten and you can do a VERY precise 1/4 inch seam. There is a rumor that the straight stitch throat plate will be included with the newer machines, might want to talk to your dealer about getting one. One great piecing trick is to set the machine so that it does beginning and ending tack stitches. When you start to sew, the machine does 1-2 regular stitches, then 5 very tiny reverse stitches back to the beginning of the seam, then sews the seam. When you let up on the pedal you get another 5 very tiny reverse stitches to lock the seam end. The result is a solid seam with no knots or bumps, and you can go through a bunch of pieces very quickly. Ask your dealer how to do this, as it is very easy when you see it but hard to explain in writing.
Keep in mind that the 820/830 are very sophisticated pieces of equipment. There is definitely a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it the results well worth the time spent.
Sarah, thank you for your input. I am still having some issues but trying to be patient and learn all about this machine I can. Enjoy your blog.
Hi Sandy,
The input about the 830 was not from me – “db” beat me to it, but gave such an excellent explanation that I didn’t have anything extra to add. I thoroughly agree that it is well worth spending the time to know this machine. It wil give you excellent results if you do.
Sarah