You read a little about International Quilt Festival and the BERNINA 830 "Coming Out Party" in Houston last week. I wanted to tell you a little more about the event. Over 50,000 people attend Houston Festival and the people in the booths work around the clock to provide an interesting and stimulating environment for the attendees. Walk the aisles and it is impossible not to feel excited about the industry of sewing and quilting and creating. it is a shot in the arm for those who create. The classes and the excitement of the BERNINA Fashion Show and the gorgeous creations round out the memorable event.

It was very fun to show our BERNINA 830 to hundreds of people who stopped by our booth. It was encouraging to see that the public has done its homework and are so well informed about the BERNINA 830. Having ten 830s set up for consumers to use was a beautiful sight.

But even better, we had quilt artists Pat Holly and her sister Sue Nickels in the BERNINA booth during Festival. They stitched their quilting magic on the 830 and wowed all those who stopped by to see the applique, creative stitchery and free-motion work for which the sisters are famous. Check out their website and the beautiful quilting that has won national and international awards and praise at www.sue.nickels.com.

I leave on Sunday for two weeks of dealer trainings on the BERNINA 830. Dealers will be training on machines that they will take back to their stores for you to see. The BERNINA 830, in limited quantities, will become available the beginning of December for those of you who have put down deposits.

If you want to check out a dealer near you visit the dealer locator on www.bernina8series.com. Click the "where to buy" tab: www.bernina8series.com/dealer_search-n31-sE.html.

Yes, the time we have all been waiting for is finally here. And the Jumbo Hoop, Jumbo Bobbins, Multi-Spool Thread Holder and other accessories like the BERNINA Quilt Frame and the BERNINA Cabinet are also available. As you plan your holiday entertaining, think about how all the space on the 830 could make holiday sewing a breeze. Try out a BERNINA 830 at a dealer near you!