While you are waiting for delivery of your BERNINA 830, you might want to start dreaming of the projects you will create. Lots of inspiration can be found on the 8 Series Website under Inspirations and 8 Series Creations. Let me walk you through some of the projects and tell you how they were created on the BERNINA 830.

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.

The news about the BERNINA 830 is beginning to hit the newstands - the October/November issue of Sew News has a great article on our BERNINA baby.

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!

Sometimes it is hard for even the most open-minded among us to accept new things. When I first heard that BERNINA was developing a patented system for dual feed because consumers were asking for a built-in option, my immediate reaction was..."Why?"... Between BERNINA machines' great feed system and our superb walking foot, I couldn't see why we would need anything else.

But let me tell you, after using the BERNINA Dual Feed (BDF), I am not only a convert, I am an evangelist! We still have our feed system and our walking foot - choose the right tool for the job - and in addition we have the built-in BERNINA Dual Feed for even more options and more control.

The BERNINA Dual Feed is unlike any other dual feed system - we offer great visibility without any obstruction...and when the BDF disengages, it is totally out of the way.

Using the BERNINA Dual Feed on hard to manage fabrics, slippery ribbons, zippers that don't want to stay put, stretchy knits, bindings, layers, etc. allows more control, more precision and better results with less work like pinning or using spray adhesives. Because it is built in, it is easy to attach and you can use 9mm stitches. I'm a believer!!!

So are these other lovely ladies:

I engaged BERNINA Dual Feed when I inserted my front fly zipper in a pair of pants made of a fluid fabric. I loved the maneuverability of the presser foot (#4D) around the tight curve and how perfectly placed the fabric remained during the process - no shifting at all! - Jeanne

I love the ease in engaging the BERNINA Dual Feed and the fabric that it tucks all the way out of the way when not in use. Stitching a zipper in place has never looked so good - the BDF balances the zipper tape and the fabric fabrics beautifully. - Jennifer

I wanted to cover a pair of shoulder pads (that were already covered) in the lining color that matched my jacket. I had slippery fabric on slippery fabric. I placed a few pins since the pad was dimensional, and was amazed at how the BERNINA Dual Feed handled all the fabric! I never had to fight the fabric, there was no slipping and no puckers or pleats as I sewed around the pad using the BDF. I was quite impressed and look forward to it helping me out in future situations. - Susan

I just finished a small fabric clutch and the pattern asked me to cut a wide bias strip and then seam it to form a tube. Needless to say I expected quite a bit of stretching. But with the BERNINA Dual Feed there was no stretching or wavy seam. It was a beautiful flat seam. And speaking of bias, I love using the BDF for attaching binding to quilts. - Nina

To see the BERNINA Dual Feed work, go to http://www.bernina8series.com/default-n30-sE.html#DualFeed.

Once you have your BERNINA 8 series machine home and try the BERNINA Dual Feed, you'll be a believer too!

Whenever I demo the BERNINA 830, there are lots of WOWs! But perhaps the biggest, loudest, most amazed WOW comes when I show the BERNINA 830's patented hook system. BERNINA has a front loading bobbin (you don't have to disturb your work when changing or reloading a bobbin - it can stay right where it is) - the legenday stitch quality can partially be credited to the BERNINA front loading bobbin.

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!"

Everyone loves a good pary and BERNINA dealers are notorious for knowing how to party well! A party at a BERNINA store usually involves good food - sometimes "themed" (themed foods at "Date with 8" parties could involve V8 Juice and 8-shaped pretzels!!!), and information to make you smarter in sewing!

All over the country "Date with 8" parties are happening at BERNINA dealers. I've included some photos from a recent party in Florida. Make sure you check with your nearest BERNINA dealer to make reservations for your 8 Date. You will get to see the amazing 830 software and view the fascinating story of how the 8 Series machines were developed.

And here's the inside scoop on a question I am receiving often - why name this amazing new machine the BERNINA 830? The search for a name for these fabulous new machines lasted for over two years. Marketing companies were interviewed and, in addition, Mr. Hanspeter Ueltschi, owner of BERNINA, asked everyone in the factory to submit a name - all the proposals were checked and discarded. It seemed the machines (whose internal names were New Generation 1 and New Generation 2) defied mere mortal names! One thing was certain - the machines would carry the name BERNINA as the first household Bernina's did. Being that tradition, in most cases, defined top-of-the-line BERNINA's with the last two numbers 3-0 - the 530, 730, 830, 930, 1030, 1130, 1230, 1630, etc. - it seemed safe to ascribe the two numerals to the one new machine. And after much internal discussion, the simplest solution seemed to be to name the two new machines the BERNINA 820 and the BERNINA 830. The next logical progression for the successor of the artista 730 (which stays in the line) would be the 830, and the fact that it would take the number from one of the most popular and best-sold BERNINA's ever made seemed right and fitting. There will be no confusion if you own both machines - your BERNINA 830 is being launched in 2008 - an easy way to describe this new, innovative, awesome machine...the BERNINA 830...class of 2008!

Next week...fall in love - hook, line, and sinker - with the new hook system!