Review and Overview of the Bernina 880 PLUS: The Pinnacle of Sewing Machines

Bernina, a renowned Swiss brand with a rich history dating back to 1893, has always been synonymous with quality, precision, and innovation in the world of sewing. With a strong focus on producing high-quality, durable, and technologically advanced sewing machines, Bernina continues to exceed the expectations of sewists across the globe. Among the brand’s impressive lineup of sewing machines, the Series 8 stands out as a testament to Bernina’s commitment to excellence.

The Series 8 sewing machines, known for their unparalleled performance and versatility. These machines are designed to cater to a wide range of sewing, quilting, and embroidery needs, making them the perfect companions for both beginners and experienced sewists.

In this review, we will give an overview of the Bernina 880 PLUS, the flagship model of the Series 8 line. This remarkable machine combines the best of Bernina’s sewing, quilting, and embroidery features, offering an unmatched level of creative freedom and precision. With a vast range of advanced functions, a generous workspace, and a plethora of accessories, the Bernina 880 PLUS is designed to help you master the art of sewing, quilting, and embroidery with ease.

So, whether you’re looking to upgrade your current sewing machine or are venturing into the world of sewing for the first time, the Bernina 880 PLUS is a top-of-the-line choice that guarantees professional results and endless creative possibilities. Read on to discover the unique features and capabilities of the Bernina 880 PLUS and explore how it can elevate your sewing experience to new heights.

Features of Bernina 880 Plus

The Bernina 880 PLUS is an exceptional machine, packed with features that cater to a wide range of sewing, quilting, and embroidery needs. In this section, we will delve into the various remarkable features of the Bernina 880 PLUS that set it apart from other machines in its class. From its advanced technology and user-friendly interface to its versatile and customizable functions, the Bernina 880 PLUS offers a comprehensive sewing experience that enables you to create beautiful and intricate projects with ease.

General Features of Bernina 880 Plus

• 8 Series Rotary Hook (RH) System: The efficient and reliable hook system ensures a smooth sewing process and consistent stitch quality. The rotary hook also reduces thread tension, providing a quiet and stable sewing experience.
• High-Resolution 7-inch Colour Touch Screen: The large touch screen makes navigation and selection a breeze. It offers a clear view of your designs, stitches, and settings, allowing you to make adjustments with ease.
• Spacious Workspace: With 12 inches of space to the right of the needle, you have ample room for large sewing and quilting projects, ensuring that you can work comfortably and efficiently.
• 30 LED Sewing Lights: The bright LED lights provide excellent illumination, reducing eye strain and ensuring that you can see your work clearly even in low light conditions.
• BERNINA Dual Feed (BDF): This feature ensures optimal feeding of fabric layers by using two separate feed dogs, providing consistent and precise results, especially when working with thick or slippery materials.
• BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR): The BSR system helps maintain consistent stitch length, particularly when free-motion sewing and quilting. It adjusts the speed of the machine to your movement, giving you more control and professional results.
• Programmable BERNINA Foot Control with Back-Kick Function: The foot control can be customized to perform specific functions, like needle up/down or thread cutting, improving efficiency and reducing the need to manually switch between functions.
• BERNINA Free Hand System (FHS): The FHS allows you to raise and lower the presser foot with a simple movement of your knee, making it easier to handle the fabric and maintain precise control.
• Fully-Automatic Needle Threader: This time-saving feature ensures easy and hassle-free threading of the needle.
• Multiple Spool Pins and Thread Cutters: With three spool pins and three manual thread cutters, you have the convenience and flexibility to manage multiple threads and switch between them effortlessly.
• Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure, Upper and Lower Thread Sensors: The adjustable presser foot pressure ensures consistent stitch quality across different fabric types, while the thread sensors alert you when the thread is running low or has broken.
• Start/Stop Button and Slide Speed Control: Sew without the foot control using the start/stop button and easily adjust your sewing speed with the slide control for precise stitching.
• Bobbin Winding While Sewing and Embroidering: Wind a new bobbin while continuing to sew or embroider, saving time and increasing productivity.
• Onscreen Help, Sewing & Embroidery Tutorial, Creative Consultant: These features provide guidance and support throughout your sewing journey, making it easy to learn and master new techniques.
• USB Interface and Multi-Language Support: Connect the Bernina 880 PLUS to your computer or USB stick for easy design transfer, and switch between multiple languages for a more personalized experience.
• Clock/Alarm and Eco Mode: Keep track of time while you sew with the built-in clock and alarm, and save energy with the Eco Mode that reduces power consumption when the machine is not in use.

Sewing and Quilting Features on the Bernina 880 PLUS

The Bernina 880 PLUS is an exceptional sewing and quilting machine designed to help you bring your creative vision to life. In this section, we will explore the vast array of sewing and quilting features that make the Bernina 880 PLUS stand out among its competitors. From its impressive stitch library and customizable stitch combinations to the innovative BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR) and Dual Feed system, the Bernina 880 PLUS ensures precision, versatility, and ease of use, catering to sewists and quilters of all skill levels.

• The Bernina 880 PLUS is designed to meet all your sewing and quilting needs. The machine’s advanced sewing features make it a top choice for both beginners and experienced sewists.
• High Sewing Speed: The Bernina 880 PLUS boasts a sewing speed of 1,200 stitches per minute, allowing you to complete projects quickly and efficiently.
• Maximum Stitch Length and Width: With a maximum stitch length of 6mm and width of 9mm, you can create a variety of stitch styles and customize your sewing projects to your liking.
• 11 Needle Positions: The machine offers 11 different needle positions, enabling you to sew in any position and achieve precise stitching.
• On-the-Fly Stitch Settings: Change stitch settings while sewing to make adjustments and achieve the desired stitch quality.
• Create and Save Stitch Combinations: Combine different stitches and save them as custom stitch patterns to use in future projects.
• Stitch Designer: The Stitch Designer feature allows you to create your own unique stitch patterns by modifying existing stitches or designing new ones.
• Sideways Motion Feed and 360° Multi-Directional Sewing: Sew in any direction with the sideways motion feed and multi-directional sewing, which expands your creative possibilities.
• Stitch Distortion, Mirror Image, and Pattern Start/End: Customize and modify stitch patterns with distortion, mirror imaging, and pattern start/end functions.
• Connecting Stitches and Pattern Elongation: Connect and elongate stitch patterns to create continuous designs and borders.
• Security Program and Reverse Sewing: Ensure the security of your stitches and sew in reverse for added reinforcement.
• Personal Program and Memory: Store your favorite stitch settings and combinations in short-term and long-term memory for quick access.
• History Function: Easily recall the last sewn stitch patterns using the history function.
• Extensive Stitch Library: The Bernina 880 PLUS offers a total of 1,764 stitch patterns, including 38 utility stitches, 19 buttonholes, eyelets and button sew-on programs, 630 decorative stitch patterns, and 109 sideways motion stitch patterns.
• Alphabets and Monograms: Personalize your projects with 11 sewing alphabets and monograms for sideways motion.
• Buttonhole and Darning Programs: Create professional-looking buttonholes with automatic and manual multi-step buttonhole options, as well as 3 darning programs for mending and reinforcing fabric.

Embroidery Features on the Bernina 880 PLUS

With the Bernina 880 PLUS, you can unleash your creativity and explore the world of embroidery with ease. In this section, we will delve into the impressive embroidery features of the Bernina 880 PLUS, designed to help you achieve stunning results. From its extensive library of built-in designs and alphabets to advanced features such as Pinpoint Placement and Shape Designer, the Bernina 880 PLUS offers a seamless and enjoyable embroidery experience, catering to both beginners and experienced embroiderers.

• Large Embroidery Module with Smart Drive Technology (SDT): The SDT enhances the embroidery process by providing smooth and precise movement of the embroidery arm, ensuring high-quality embroidery results.
• Maximum Embroidery Field and Speed: The machine offers a spacious embroidery field of 400 x 260 mm (15.7″ x 10.2″) and a maximum embroidery speed of 1,000 stitches per minute, making it perfect for large and intricate embroidery projects.
• Built-in Embroidery Designs and Alphabets: With 462 built-in embroidery designs and 21 embroidery alphabets, you have a wide variety of options to personalize and embellish your projects.
• Compatible Embroidery Design Formats: The Bernina 880 PLUS supports multiple embroidery design formats, such as EXP, DST, PES, PEC, JEF, SEW, PCS, and XXX, allowing you to import designs from various sources.
• On-Screen Editing: Customize your embroidery designs directly on the machine’s touch screen by combining, positioning, mirroring, rotating, and scaling them.
• Advanced Embroidery Features: The Bernina 880 PLUS offers a multitude of advanced features, including Pinpoint Placement, Endless Embroidery, Shape Designer, Undo/Redo, Group/Ungroup, Rearrange embroidery motifs, Colour Wheel, Invisible Secure, Smart Secure, Thread-up Command, Programmable Jump Stitch Cutting, Thread Away Mode, WordART program, and more. These features help you achieve professional results and bring your embroidery projects to life.
• Hoop Functionality: The machine supports various hoop sizes, including Midi, Mega, Maxi, and Jumbo, to accommodate different project sizes and complexities.
• The Bernina 880 PLUS is compatible with BERNINA Embroidery Software and the free ArtLink software, providing additional design options and editing capabilities.

Standard Embroidery Accessories:

The Bernina 880 PLUS comes with a range of standard embroidery accessories to enhance your embroidery experience. These include:

• Various Presser Feet: The machine includes an assortment of presser feet, such as Reverse Pattern Foot, Dual Feed Reverse Pattern Foot, Overlock Foot, Buttonhole Foot with Slide, Buttonhole Foot, Zipper Foot, Blindstitch Foot, Button Sew-On Foot, Open Embroidery Foot, Embroidery Presser Foot, and Sideways Motion Foot.
• BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR): This accessory ensures consistent stitch length while free-motion sewing and quilting.
• BERNINA Slide-on Extension Table: The extension table provides additional workspace for larger projects.
• BERNINA Free Hand System (FHS): The FHS enables you to raise and lower the presser foot with a simple movement of your knee for improved fabric handling.
• Accessories Box and Triple Spool Holder: Keep your embroidery tools and accessories organized with the included accessories box and triple spool holder.
• Embroidery Hoops: The machine comes with three embroidery hoops – Large Oval, Medium Oval, and Small Oval – along with their templates for precise design placement.
• Magnifying Glass Holder and Dust Cover: The magnifying glass holder helps you see your work more clearly, while the dust cover protects your machine when not in use.

The Bernina 880 PLUS Manual

To ensure that you get the most out of your Bernina 880 PLUS, the manufacturer provides a comprehensive manual to guide you through every aspect of the sewing, quilting, and embroidery machine. The manual, available in English, can be found at the following link: Bernina 880 PLUS Manual.

Bernina 880 PLUS Pricing

When considering the purchase of a high-quality sewing, quilting, and embroidery machine like the Bernina 880 PLUS, it’s essential to understand its pricing and how it compares to similar machines on the market. As a top-of-the-line machine, the Bernina 880 PLUS is an investment in your crafting journey, providing you with the versatility and advanced features needed to create beautiful, intricate projects.

In the UK, the estimated price for the Bernina 880 PLUS is around £11,000 to £12,000, depending on the retailer and any promotions or discounts available. While this may seem like a significant investment, it’s important to consider the wide array of features and functions that the Bernina 880 PLUS offers in comparison to other machines within the same price range.

Comparing the Bernina 880 PLUS with its Competitors

When searching for a high-quality sewing, quilting, and embroidery machine, it’s essential to consider the options available within the same price range and feature set. In this section, we will compare the Bernina 880 PLUS with two other top-of-the-line machines: the Brother Luminaire Innov-ís XP1 and the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 2. By examining the pros and cons of each machine, we aim to help you make an informed decision about which machine best suits your needs.

Bernina 880 PLUS:

Pros:

1. Exceptional Swiss craftsmanship and durability.
2. A wide range of sewing, quilting, and embroidery features.
3. Generous workspace (12 inches) for large projects.
4. Extensive stitch library with 1,764 stitch patterns.
5. BERNINA Dual Feed and Stitch Regulator (BSR) for precise sewing.
6. Smart Drive Technology (SDT) for smooth embroidery.
7. Multiple hoop sizes and compatibility.

Cons:

1. The learning curve may be steep for beginners.
2. Higher price point compared to other machines.

Brother Luminaire Innov-ís XP1:

Pros:

1. Large, high-resolution touch screen for easy navigation.
2. Wide range of built-in sewing, quilting, and embroidery features.
3. Large workspace (13.1 inches) for big projects.
4. Camera-like InnovEye technology for precise positioning.
5. My Design Center for creating custom designs.
6. Wireless LAN compatibility for design transfer.

Cons:

1. Limited stitch library compared to Bernina 880 PLUS.
2. Does not offer BERNINA Dual Feed or Stitch Regulator (BSR).

Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 2:

Pros:

1. Comprehensive sewing, quilting, and embroidery features.
2. Large, high-resolution touch screen for easy navigation.
3. Integrated dual feed technology for even fabric feeding.
4. Extensive built-in embroidery designs and sewing stitches.
5. Wi-Fi connectivity for easy design transfer.
6. Exclusive sensor system for automatic presser foot adjustments.

Cons:

1. Smaller workspace (12.2 inches) compared to Brother Luminaire Innov-ís XP1.
2. Does not offer BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR).

In conclusion, each of these high-end sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines offers a unique set of features and capabilities. The Bernina 880 PLUS stands out for its Swiss craftsmanship, extensive stitch library, and BERNINA-specific features. The Brother Luminaire Innov-ís XP1 offers a large workspace and camera-like technology for precise positioning. The Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 2 provides Wi-Fi connectivity and an exclusive sensor system for automatic adjustments.

Summary

In summary, the Bernina 880 PLUS is an exceptional sewing, quilting, and embroidery machine that caters to a wide range of creative needs. With its robust general features, such as the high-resolution color touch screen, expansive workspace, BERNINA Dual Feed system, and fully-automatic needle threader, it ensures a seamless crafting experience. The impressive sewing and quilting features, including a vast stitch library, BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR), and customizable stitch combinations, make it an excellent choice for sewists and quilters of all skill levels. Furthermore, the advanced embroidery features, like its extensive design library, Pinpoint Placement, and Shape Designer, make it an ideal machine for embroidery enthusiasts. The Bernina 880 PLUS stands out among its competitors with its Swiss craftsmanship, durability, and versatility. The comprehensive manual provided with the machine ensures that you can master its features and make the most out of your Bernina 880 PLUS. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, the Bernina 880 PLUS is a top choice to help you bring your creative visions to life.