Libbi, I will check your suggestion out. Thank you. We are metric too so I will measure my space & see what fits as I need a new bookcase for all my art books. I did find the one I wanted at IKEA & now just have to reconfigure the space. DH will be busy. I am lucky to have an extra bedroom to work in. It is small, but it is all mine.

Barbara, I actually bought 2 Vika Alex 5 drawer cabinets and a Vika table top that doesn't seem to be on the Ikea USA site. My husband's computer desk is a Galant table with legs & we decided it wasn't sturdy enough. I didn't want a drawer unit with rollers because I was concerned about vibration. DH & I decided we could put casters on the drawer units later if I changed my mind. I went for a 59" X 29 1/2" top that is almost 1 1/4" thick. The width of the top exceeds the width of the drawer units by 6" but the weight of the 830 is solidly sitting to the front & supported by the drawer units. I was worried that the longer table, about 78", might allow for vibration too. I have the 830 positioned so that I am sitting over the needle. So far I haven't experienced any vibration even at top speed. Since I live in a flat with an elderly couple below, I was very concerned about noise & vibration. So far, no complaints. Hope this info helps. PS I also have the Vika 6 shallow drawer unit on rollers for threads & misc supplied & I can roll it anywhere it is convenient as I work.

Libbi, I was at IKEA yesterday. Love that store! Did you buy the Gallant table? It looked quite sturdy to me & also was wide. What did you buy? Is it stable when you really sew at high speeds. I think that I told you my long table tends to vibrate when I sew fast. So I too am looking for another solution & IKEA will be able to solve my needs.

Thanks. I was wondering if it was to carry the 830. that is a good idea to look at the Bernina projects to get to know this machine better. Thanks for the great tip.

Love the SLO area! I leaved in Lompoc for 2 years. Really love the central coast of California.

Thanks.

Lorna

FYI, the 830 tote is a project on the BerninaUSA website that uses many of the new features of the 830 in its decoration. It's very large but isn't designed to carry the 830 itself! There are several different projects on the site.

Making a usable project is the best way for me to learn. Doing simulations, watching DVDs, & reading the manuals doesn't quite make a lasting impression on me. I guess I do live up to the motto of my alma mater, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo: "Learn by Doing."

Thanks for all the helpful hints. Several of my questions have been answered.

830 tote?

Lorna

Just wanted to report that taking a day off from working with the 830 seemed to refresh me. I was able to discover how to thread correctly the bobbin for sewing and to finish the 830 tote. I even rediscovered my hotfix wand and decorate the tote with rhinestones. I do have to learn how to adjust the bobbin for bobbin play.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I'm sure that this won't be the last time I going to ask for help!

No problem Libbi, I would be happy to talk to you. We have one of our sons living in South Africa in Capetown so we are used to the 6 hour difference.

Yep, I downloaded and updated the 830 first thing. It's happy with that. I did find the bobbin threading videos which clued me into the fact that there are 2 ways to thread the bobbin. Now all of you have confirmed that the sewing version should work. Tomorrow is a new day & I will again attempt to thread the bobbin for sewing.

Yes, I do have Skype. Barbara I believe your time zone is 6 hours behind Switzerland. If I need more help after my attempts, I will email you through TQS to arrange a time convenient for both of us.

Thanks

Libby, check out these threading videos and see if they help.

It is wasteful when a thread breaks and gets sucked up into the machine, where you can only retrieve it by removing the cover. I had this happen to me quite a bit at first, but now it rarely occurs.

Created by CJ

Libbi
You need to download the latest upgrade for the 830. It is a zip file so follow the instructions carefully. One of the new upgrades is a detailed picture of the threading. For normal sewing, just pop in the bobbin & pull the thread to the right & then to the left over to the cutting arm. Only use the embroidery threading method for that purpose.
bunny9
PS if you need more help & have SKYPE I would be happy to help you

CJ Tinkle may be able to help you.
Here's her blog: http://tinkletimes.com/
I think CJ is a member of TQS - look her up in the member search and contact her directly. She's had her 830 for quite a while and has posted information on her blog about threading and stitching etc.

Teri

This is pretty basic but I have a question or two on the instructions for threading the 830. Please remember that my dealer's native language is German & mine is NOT!

I have the manual I received from the dealer but it is a tad different from the Final 830 manual I downloaded from the Bernina USA website. I think I received an older English manual from the factory here in Switzerland.

Supposidly there are 2 different methods for threading the bobbin: one for embroidery that required having the thread in the U shaped portion of the bobbin casing and one for sewing that does not. It is the sewing one that my 830 does not recognize. I always thread the bobbin as if I'm embroidering. Is this right? It is the only way my dealer was taught to thread the bobbin.

Does one really have to waste so much thread to rethread the needle? I generally cut the thread at the spool & pull it out at the needle area. It seems as if I have to remove the 830 cover the retrieve the loose end of the thread since a breakage or shreading or my inability to thread properly sends the thread into the area under the cover. Is there a way to pull the thread forward and down to the needle area without totally rethreading from the spool? The suggested method wastes about a yard of thread each time.

Suggestions please from more experienced 830 users please.