Congratulations Gayle and all of Bernina's Creative team on your new product Bernina 8 Series. I have not had the chance to be introduced to the new machine in person, but know for sure you all will have it showcased in Houston.

How exciting for you after all the hard work!!!

best regards,
wendy
Wendy Butler Berns
textile artist, teacher, lecturer
Lake Mills, WI

Gayle,

I did watch the webcast and can't wait to see the 830 in "person". I didn't think anything could get better than the 730 but looks like Bernina outdid themselves this time - and the size of the hoop for the embroidery machine is amazing. It is exciting to see that there are so many new features. I really was excited about the quilting frame. I have been looking for something to quilt my large quilts on in hopes of improving my quilting and it looks like that just might do the trick.

I applaud Bernina for listening to what the consumer wants. Bernina will be my first stop in Houston. You all must be so excited about this new product and I hope that the sales are terrific.

See you in Houston,
Nancy Prince

www.nancyprince.com

author of Simple Thread Painting

Dear Gayle,
You are lovely to communicate with all of us this way about the new machine. I have not seen it in person yet, but Jean Nolte and Kristi Loeffelholz on our Fons & Porter staff have. Jean tells me it is a truly fantastic machine, so I can't wait to get my hands on one!

Hope all is well with you,
Marianne

Fons and Porter

Hi Gayle,

I am so excited about the new machine, it's truly thrilling to know we had such a say in it. Thank you, Bernina is awesome.

On Friday evening, the 8^th, A Common Thread will be introducing the new machine, I will be a part of the introduction by relating my experiences at the Teachers Retreats; of us all letting Bernina know what features we would like in the Dream Machine.

My Best to you,

Kayla Kennington

www.kaylakennington.com

HI Gayle,

I visited the link for the 8 series. The site has great graphics, and the machine looks very tempting. The design is so revolutionary that it could qualify as sculpture. What I like about the new 8 series is that Bernina has incorporated all the latest technology into a dream machine for those of us who sew almost every day.
I added the link to the web site to my blog yvonneporcella.blogspot.com
Yvonne Porcella

As usual, bernina is listening. Love to you all. I Love epb elinor peace bailey - cloth doll patterns, llc elinor@epbdolls.net

Hi Gayle,
Congratulations on the new 830!
I just did a quick scan of the link, and especially like these features that I noticed at first glance -

• Pop-out jumbo bobbin offers 40% more capacity than most home machines
• Multiple spool holder keeps large, medium and small cones at the ready

You may remember that I wanted the multiple spool holder included with the machine, so I'm happy about that.
I am so glad that there is a simple but helpful way to indicate the needle size (and I hope needle kind too) on the 830! Am eager to see it and will mention it in my teaching.

Carol Ahles

Hi Gayle! What a great machine! I can hardly wait to see it when my St. Cloud dealer brings it in. Soon I hope! Thanks for all you do to promote a lifestyle we love. God bless, Sharon

Sharon Hultgren
St. Cloud, MN
Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly

Hi Gayle, I watched the video of this amazing machine and was so surprised! It is really the machine of all our suggestions!! I have my notes and read them the other day and it's all in this machine!! Wow! It should be noted that this company really listens when it asks what sewers want!! Congratulatons on the most impressive machine ever made!! Linda Teufel

Dear Gayle,

Congratulations! It's gorgeous!
Ellen Anne Eddy

Dear Gail, Can't wait to finally see this beauty in the flesh!!! How could anyone not want (need ) one! Debra Youngs

The new Bernina is beyond believable. When I purchased my first 830 Bernina way back in the 80's, I thought that I had bought the machine to last my lifetime. Boy was I wrong. I have purchased numerous Berninas since that time. The new machine is incredible. What a fabulous sewing world we live in. So sorry that I couldn't be there, but the web cast was wonderful. Thank you for making it possible for all to see. Thanks again, Linda McGehee

Ghee's
PO Box 4424
Shreveport, LA 71134
www.ghees.com

I can see all of those suggestions from our "dream machine" brainstorming -- we even got the clock! Paula Reid Hi Gayle, Just a quick note to say how great the website is for the new Bernina! Thank you so much for including me in the project.... I am hearing lots of great things, I sent a group email to my quilting friends to look at the site and I have received fabulous feedback... One friends email was simple and great- "I think I am in love, when can I get it!" Thanks again and I am so honored to have had a small part in the creation of the best sewing machine available! Sue Nickels Gayle - Congratulations!!! I watched online last night and am in awe - of the machine!!!! I am SO proud to be part of it; can't wait to try one out, it looks totally, absolutely amazing. Love the dual feed that flips up and tucks away. Perfect. I saw so many of the ideas that we teachers had, and all the things consumers wanted, and more. Enjoy the moment, Diane

Diane Gaudynski
www.dianegaudynski.net
"Quilt Savvy - Gaudynski's Machine Quilting Guidebook" now available!

Gayle: Wow, what fun to see the new 830. I can see many of the things that we have talked about at the national teachers' reunions have been incorporated into this new machine. Can't wait to see one in action.
Bonnie
--
Quilting - it's a hobby that can last a lifetime! Bonnie Browning
Author of Borders & Finishing Touches 2
Web site: http://bonniebrowning.tripod.com
Blog: http://bonniebrowningblog.blogspot.com

Hey Gayle,

The machine is over the moon! Congrats on all your hard work, it really shows in the attention to details. It just goes to show that Bernina is always worth the wait. I'm looking forward to seeing it at my local Bernina dealer and getting one of my very own for my studio.

Beth Ferrier

Applewood Farm Publications, Inc.

www.applewoodfarmquilts.com

www.applewd.com/blog/

The jacket and pants outfit was inspired by a lime green knit that I spotted when we were choosing fabric to make items for the 8 Series brochures. The fabric screamed fun and I tried to pack as many techniques as possible into one outfit - you can do that with children's clothing and usually the wearer doesn't object until he or she is 9 or 10!

The pattern for the jacket is "Robin's Little Jackets," from the Children's Corner. I love their patterns for children because they offer a blank canvas for embellishment opportunity!

I had lots of ribbons and buttons in my stash so the next step was letting them dictate which colors to use for embroidery and stitching. I often start with buttons and everything else falls into place. Since the knit had quite a bit of spandex, I knew BERNINA Dual Feed would enter into this project BIG TIME!

I wanted to use pintucks and a Double needle so I used the Security Program which allows me to choose the needle and stitch plate and saved me from myself - the machine will only sew the stitch width allowed without breaking a neele...and Double needles are expensive so I appreciate this BERNINA feature. I used a straight stitch and altered the width slightly to give interest to the pintucks. I pintucked the back yoke and the left front yoke and set the yokes off with piping made from the print lining with my wonderful Bulky Overlock Foot #12 (alias Piping Foot).

The frog applique shape on the front of the jacket was taken from the frog novelty stitch that is built into the BERNINA 830. I imported that stitch into embroidery and embroidered the piece of silk that I was using for the applique prior to cutting it out. I then used the satin stitch in auto taper and programmed the position and angle of the taper before using the stitch to applique the frog shape on the knit. I later brought those same frog stitches into embroidery in addition to a few floral stitches and enlarged the row of decorative sewing stitches in embroidery to create a border across the back of the jacket. I used the BERNINA Dual Feed to stitch the ribbons on that stretchy knit - because it is buile in and attaches with a touch of a finger - and I didn't even have to pin.

More next week on embroidering the jacket and sewing buttonholes - and then I'll be bringing you the blog from International Quilt Festival in Houston. Don't forget to tune in for the BERNINA 830 virtual overview on October 27 - register for it on www.bernina8series.com.

First, let's look at the 830 gown which is the foundation of the advertising campaign. The gorgeous embroidery motifs are built into the 830. The gown is silk dupioni and is double-lined in silk and stitched with silk thread. Bernina Dual Feed was used to insert the zipper and the Jumbo Hoop was used to easily embroidery those wonderful motifs. The speed (1000 stitches per minute) really helped meet the photography deadlines. Jet black crystals were added to the motifs to make them sparkle!

The red tote is a project that showcases the excellent stitch quality of the BERNINA 830. Lots of fun ribbons and trims were added to the tote and the Bernina Dual Feed handled the application with ease, in addition to stitching the faux leather trim you find on the tote.

With 1162 stitches (261 brand new stitches) you will find more than enough inspiration for your creative needs. Plus using functions like Long Stitch, Pattern Elongation, Stitch Combinations and Connecting Stitches create a variety of new possibilities for stitch patterns. And remember, you can bring your sewing stitches into embroidery with the BERNINA 830.

And speaking of embroidery, the 830 Quilt is an embroidery masterpiece. Built-in motifs, including Jumbo Hoop designs and quilt designs from Diane Gaudynski make this quilt a vision for the eyes. The quilt, made completely from silk, makes great use of the Bernina Stitch Regulator which is standard with the 830 and the remarkable Bernina Walking Foot for stitching in the ditch machine quilting. The quilt binding was applied with the Bernina Dual Feed. Embroidery and Quilting - go together like peanut butter and jelly - and are just as yummy!

More on the Create with 8 projects next week! And check out the 830 on YouTube by clicking HERE.

Hello, Everyone!

I am so pleased to have the opportunity to talk to you about the excitement the 8 Series launch has created here at our BERNINA consumer event. It was such a proud moment when after six years of development, we were finally able to reveal this incredible machine and share its features with the world. The engineers and developers in the BERNINA factory in Steckborn Switzerland have worked countess hours to create a big, beautiful BERNINA - spacious and comfortable, speedy and full of benefits that will make the creative sewers world more enjoyable and more efficient… that nothing compares to the feeling of its debut.

And now, you too can experience all the precision and exclusive features the 830 has to offer here on bernina8series.com. This enlightening and interactive website provides everything you will want to know about the 8 Series, including videos that illustrate its outstanding space, unsurpassed speed and ergonomic genius.

So go ahead and check out the machine that has changed the history of sewing. We hope it inspires you as much as it has everyone here at BERNINA.

Talk to you soon! And remember to keep checking back for more entries and details on the magnificent 8 Series.

I love scrap quilts - each piece of fabric has its own story. Some of the squares in this quilt are from my mother's and grandmother's and aunts' fabric stashes, some from garments I'd sewn. The blue & black plaid in the corner is from a pair of shorts I made, the olive green from a top my mother wore in the '60s, the sheeting from my father's aunts...it's fun to sit down and go through them all one by one.

I stitched this together the summer before I started college. I'd been sewing my own clothes for years, but I didn't know much about how to put together a quilt. I had no idea how to apply the binding - it's still attached, so I guess it's doing its job, but I'm glad you can't see it up close! Binding a quilt isn't hard; you just need to know what to do. The Binding Basics Online Class at http://www.berninausa.com/home.jsp has instructions for several binding methods. My four-patch quilt uses - sort of - the single binding technique, using purchased binding. These days I cut my own bias strips and use the double binding method; I like to repeat fabrics from the blocks around the edges, and the two layers of fabric over the edge provide more protection than a single layer. (My quilts get used and loved and laundered a lot; if they were hanging on a wall a single fold binding would be fine.)

There are so many tools now that make assembling a quilt easier - rotary cutters/mats/rulers, 1/4" presser feet (BERNINA Patchwork Foot #37 and Patchwork Foot with Guide #57), edgestitching feet (BERNINA Edgestitch Foot #10/10C), needle stop up/down features, adjustable needle position - so much easier than scissors, cardboard templates, and a single "all-purpose" foot!

I don't think I'd even heard of machine-quilting when I made this quilt, and I knew I didn't want to stitch it by hand, so I tied it with lengths of acrylic yarn (which has tangled and pilled over the years - I'd use embroidery floss or topstitching thread today). I come from a long line of hand-quilters, and I can hand-stitch when I have to, but I much prefer machine quilting. I've always liked to draw, and machine quilting is very much like drawing a line with a sewing machine needle instead of a pencil or pen. I can machine quilt just about as quickly as I can draw, so it doesn't take me long to complete a quilt once I get it set up. And it's soooo relaxing! Next week I'll show you some of my more recent pieces - which reflect some of the things I've learned through classes and books and looking at hundreds (maybe thousands?) of quilts.

Next I select the Mirror-Merge Horizontal & Vertical Tool from the menu located at the bottom left of the screen, and three other outlines of the design appear on the screen. As I move the cursor around, it changes the position of the three other outllines.

When I have the outlines positioned EXACTLY where I want them, I can right click the mouse button or hit the enter key, and the designs will appear in place. Now I have a completely new design!

Now here's the really cool part; you have the option of creating a little embroidery collage using the Insert Design function before using the Mirror-Merge tool! I started with several of the Creative Genes designs, then used Mirror-Merge to create this final large design. I used the Happy machine to stitch it out in the 12" x 12" hoop, and turned the final product into a tote bag.

Keep your eyes out for the next issue of Through The Needle magazine for more information on this project!

The center square of this block is the perfect place to feature your favorite embroidery design; this one is the Redwork Cardinal from www.embroideryonline.com.

All sorts of variations are possible: create your own fabric for the star using some of the Stitch Recipes at www.berninausa.com, substitute applique for embroidery, make the block into a tote bag instead of a pillow, make several blocks and create a small grouping - three single block mini-quilts hung side by side, nine blocks joined to form a square, etc.

At the BERNINA booth we had ten BERNINA 830's set up to give as many people as possible a taste of the 830. We gave 30-minutes classes from the time the show started until the show ended each day and it was so much fun to see the reaction of our guests. Many people had seen the machine at their dealers' stores but many had not.

The most impressive and obvious feature was the size of the machine and all agreed it would be a huge benefilt not only for quilting but also for sewing and embroidery.

In 30 minutes we were able to customize the screen with the built-in wallpapers, use the BERNINA Dual Feed to stitch through ribbon, paper, fabric and stabilizer, experience on screen drag-and-drop using beautiful new stitches in a stitch combination - a BERNINA exclusive - and embroider our BERNINA 8.

We began early one morning so that a group of quilters from Japan could experience the BERNINA 830. They loved the machine.

The comments that we heard the most were: "unbelievable," "fantastic," "it has everything we ever wanted in a machine."

Many people were also impressed with the BERNINA quilt frame which will accommodate the BERNINA 830 in addition to all other BERNINA machines.

Our staff was all smiles on preview night - please notice that the owner of BERNINA, Hanspeter Ueltschi, was with us in Houston. Many people approached Mr. Ueltschi to thank him for the quality of the BERNINA product throughout the years. BERNINA has changed many creative lives for the better.

One of the highlights of my visit in Houston was to attend the Silver Star dinner - a tribute to Alex Anderson. Please visit the Quilt Show blog to share this special night with Alex: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog/php. Alex has inspired thousands of people and she is so deserving of this special recognition.

So, Houston was lots of fun - more next week!

Here's a little quilt I designed for the occasion using the Quilter program in BERNINA Embroidery Software. It's easy to create blocks and add embroidery - just point and click - and much faster than actually stitching a quilt! Plus, if I decide to make my blocks, it's just another click to print pattern pieces and embroidery templates. This block uses Diane Gaudynski designs from the new 830, and Tuilleries fabrics from Benartex.

I'm looking forward to reading all the comments from show attendees!

The embroidery on the jacket consists of using one of the beautiful built-in motifs (150 total) on the back of the jacket in addition to importing sewing stitches into embroidery. I decreased the size of the flowers on the jacket back and duplicated the motif so I would have a garden of three.

When I imported the sewing stitches, I enlarged the stitches quite a bit which is why I love this feature. It enables so much more creative freedone! Another reason is because it is so easy.

You toggle from embroidery to sewing, select a stitch (you can also make alterations in sewing mode), toggle back to embroidery and access the My Designs folder - that there is your stitch - just waiting for you to bring it into the hoop of your choice!

When the jacket was embellished as I wished, it was time to make buttonholes. I had great frog buttons and I wanted to change the width of the buttonhole slit so that the button would slide through the buttonhole easily for little child fingers. The BERNINA 830 lets me choose the width of the slit with a simple turn of the knob. Then I widened the bead of the buttonhole as well and saved the alterations permanently for the next time I make the jacket. I put the buttonhole in one of four Personal Program files and named the file, "Frog." I love the control I have with the 830 buttonholes.

Well, my suitcase is packed and I'm taking my camera so I can send you photos from Houston. We are looking forward to a great event. If you are attending Festival, please stop by the booth to say "Hi" and to sew on the BERNINA machines. More later...

Also, the virtual overviews of the machine have begun with the next one scheduled on October 27. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the 8 Series from a BERNINA of America educator in the form of a Power Point presentation. All you have to do is register for the newsletter on www.bernina8series.com and you will automatically be sent information with a link on how to participate and learn more about this great machine virtually. You can hear and see it all on your computer - it doesn't cost a thing except a little bit of time (about an hour). I'll also remind you in the weeks to come!

You've been sending me questions asking about the vital statistics of the 8 Series machines - wanting to know measurements and standard accessories...and how many of the exclusive, gorgeous one-piece presser feet come with the 830? Some of you are beginning to map out where you will put this machine in your sewing room. Please see the dimensions of the machine and a list of accessories and BERNINA presser feet (including the magical BERNINA Stitch Regulator) that come standard with the 830. That should keep you dreaming for another week!

Next week - join me as we "Create with 8"! Until then...keep anticipating!

With the BERNINA 830, not only is the bobbin front loading, but it swings to the front of the machine and emerges...just like the little bird in a Swiss cuckoo clock...when the bobbin door is opened so that the bobbin is right at your fingertips for easy insertion and removal.

When the bobbin door closes, the bobbin and hook swing back into position and you are ready to sew.

It is such a simple system and it gives soooo many benefits:

HIGHER SPEEDS

FEWER SKIPPED STITCHES

EASY ACCESS

EASY TO SWITCH FROM SEWING TO EMBROIDERY

BETTER SEWING QUALITY

And our own Captain Hook, Mr. Gerard Durville, Head of Research and Development at the factory, says the hook is so robust, it will last a long, long time. Here you see Mr. Durville with Jakob Richenbach who also worked on the hook and has been with the factory over 50 years!

So check out the hook online (CLICK HERE and HERE) and you'll want to go into instant replay and see it again and again. And once you do, you'll be reeled in "hook, line and sinker!"

"Having the opportunity to test the BERNINA 830 at the factory in Steckborn gave me a new appreciation for the ingenuity, workmanship and pride that goes into the development of every BERNINA product. Every feature has been carefully thought through to develop a machine that puts the creative sewer first, whether it be the ease of Automatic Threading, the Jumbo Bobbin or Absolute Check.

Absolute Check is hands down my favorite new feature. For new and experienced embroiderers alike, accurate placement of embroidery designs on a project can be a challenge. Absolute Check makes it so easy to ensure the design will end up exactly where I want it-every time."

Jennifer Gigas, Director of Education and Training

"To watch the Swiss team and the US team come together to make the 830 the best machine possible was amazing to me. In testing, you write a lot of bug reports - the best part was to be able to explain and show the bug to the specific engineer responsible for that area - and hearing them say - oh I know what I need to fix - and then to see it happen. It was also a unique experience to work with the engineers who developed the new technologies on the 830 and learn from that engineer the attributes of that feature - to see in detail what makes each Bernina so special.

My favorite feature: Absolute Check in embroidery. I design 'as I go' much of the time, and to be able to know 'absolutely' where each part of the design will sew out is an incredible time saver plus the precision is exact. Absolute check is not an approximation - it is exact."

Susan Fears, BERNINA Educator

"Being in the factory and working along side of the Swiss engineers was a true honor. The pride in workmanship and attention to quality and detail is clear in everything they do. Testing the BERNINA 830 was a once in a lifetime experience! My favorite feature of the 830 is: My freedom to choose and make the machine MY OWN! But I love the automatic needle threader."

Jeanne Delpit, Director of National Events

Visit your BERNINA dealer to see the BERNINA 8 Series machine software demo and learn about the features of these machines. This week we host 365 US dealers and staff in the factory to show them more about the 8 Series machines. More on that next week!

I can't show you any of the garments yet in this blog - you'll have to wait until after the show in November to see my candids - but here are a few hair & makeup shots of three of our gorgeous models. The photo shoot was held at the Hyatt Regency in Houston, in a huge suite that I shared with Marcia Barker from Quilts, Inc. At night we slept with racks full of garments in our rooms; during the day her room became the hair & makeup station (and Olympics viewing station), while mine was the dressing room. It was a little crazy - imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find a huge crinoline standing beside your bed! - but I had a blast :)

Watch this blog and http://www.berninausa.com/home.jsp for more information on the BERNINA Fashion Show in November!

Don't you love this shirt?!