Several folks have asked about Absolute Check, so I asked Susan Fears for a description and why it's such a great feature to have:

Absolute check is an embroidery feature that 'checks' the position of the design as you touch the image of the design on the screen.  For example, if you are placing a design on a project and you want to know exactly where each part of the design will sew out on the project, you touch the screen with your finger or touch pen and the needle moves to that position.  There is no more check box.  Absolute Check is amazing, it is accurate and it is fast.

So, for example, if I were embroidering a clown on a child's shirt and wanted to make sure that the big red nose exactly covered the dime-size grape juice stain, I'd use Absolute Check to move the needle around the outline of the nose and see if the entire stain were covered. Or, if I were stitching a delicate heirloom design on purchased eyelet, I could easily check to make sure all the stitching landed on fabric rather than over eyelet holes. I can see why everyone loves this feature so much!

btw - Here's a screen capture from the 830 Emulator CD. It's just like playing on the real machine, except all the stitching is virtual. A great way to learn about the machine without actually having one in front of you! Visit your local BERNINA shop for details.

One of the most important tasks in the development of a machine is the testing. The BERNINA 8 Series machines were tested for months and months by different departments in the various stages of development. Watch "The Making of 8" video to discover the amazing story of the 8 Series machines. In conjunction with the Swiss testing, we began testing the usability of the 830 in January 2008 with a group of dedicated US Educators from Bernina of America. The US testing team consisted of five educators who joined me in January, March, May, June and are here in the factory with me now for our final week of testing. The US testers were to stretch the machine to its creative limits, using all types of fabrics and threads, all the BERNINA feet -making mistakes that all sewers make as well as placing demands on the machine that BERNINA customers make. Whereas the factory testing is very systematic, the US testing was also very demanding. The testers had to write step-by-step bug reports and had to repeat steps many times in order to reproduce certain machine behavior. Testing requires focus and patience. It was excellent to be able to test in the BERNINA factory where we had direct access to the engineers. They were eager to hear the US feedback and that testing feedback contributed to the fine tuning of several features. The photo shows testers in the factory with Mr. Hanspeter Vogel, head of Application and Testing. The testers from left to right are: Nina McVeigh, Susan Fears, Jennifer Gigas, Jeanne Delpit and Jill Danklefsen Braley. I asked some of the testers to give me their thoughts about their experience and this is what they had to say:  

"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!

Remember I told you about machines with "bling" to support the American Heart Association? 15 embellished machines were on display in Kansas City, and BERNINA dealers & staff voted for their favorites by purchasing $1 tickets and placing them in little fish bowls by each machine. The five most popular were auctioned at the closing banquet, and all of them will appear in a BERNINA fund-raising calendar for 2009.

The "bling" spanned the gamut from a very minimalistic red machine by Vern Yip of Trading Spaces to designer Jared Gold's tricked-out model. My personal favorite was by Robbi Joy Eklow, aka "Goddess of the Last Minute" for Quilting Arts Magazine.

Watch for more machine "bling" over the next few months, plus information about other Sew Red events.

Here are a few more photos from our BERNINA Fashion Show photo shoot in Houston last week. If you've never been to a photo shoot, you might be wondering why we had a huge sheet of paper hanging from the ceiling...this is the backdrop behind the models. They stand on the backdrop, too -- this one has a hard piece of plastic under it to help keep their high heels from poking through the paper.

Quarters were a bit cramped -- the photographer set up his computer equipment in one corner of the room...

...and Marcia & I sat in the other, taking notes and checking the garments against the descriptions we had from the artists. I'll be spending the next couple of weeks selecting photos and writing commentary for the Fashion Show based on the descriptions and what I saw during the photo shoot. The commentary will also be part of the next issue of Through The Needle magazine, due out at the beginning of November.

Here's another candid, of one of the models mugging for the camera. No - that's not part of an outfit, it really is a lampshade. I told you we had lots of fun, didn't I? And that's her own shirt - I'm being very careful not to reveal anything from the show!

One of the most interesting things about my job is talking to and watching people use our machines. You can gain much insight just by watching a group of consumers use a classroom of BERNINA machines at a quilt festival or consumer event. BERNINA is fortunate to be the machine of choice for many national and international teachers, designers and authors. Some of these people are on the road the majority of the year traveling and touching the lives of creative consumers. We spoke to these leaders in the industry many times during the development of the 8 Series machines. Their feedback and comments were invaluable when it came time to specify the features that needed to be on our new BERNINA. And I have heard from many of the teachers we listened to who have watched the 8 Series Webcast. You can go to Inspiration > Artists Talk on the Series 8 Microsite (www.bernina8series.com) and listen to Ricky Tims, Libby Lehman, Linda Lee, Alex Anderson and Sue Nickels. They were delighted with the BERNINA 830 when they had the opportunity to see and work with it. In addition, we've had the following email comments and congratulations.  BERNINA is proud of and very grateful for our relationships with these creative people.

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/