Bernina SE 880 Sewing Embroidery and Quilting Machine Review

Lightning fast, precise, and spacious is how I would describe this model.

The Bernina SE 880 includes a lot of cutting-end, time-saving features developed by a group of experts in Switzerland. It’s a blend of Swiss precision and artistic technology.

The innovative features and unprecedented options are made with the embroiderer, quilter, and sewer in mind. Passionate crafters no longer have to imagine a unit that responds to their needs.

It’s already available for purchase on the market. It’s a real time-saver because it slices the thread at the end of a seam automatically and includes other automatic features you will adore.

For instance, the feed dog lowers and raises automatically for free-motion embroidery and sewing. Also, you can enjoy automatic needle threading at the touch of a button.

The top speed of Bernina SE 880 reaches 1,000 stitches per minute, ensuring fast and flawless results. It’s one of the best sewing machines available for purchase on the market.

I wrote this Bernina SE 880 review for people who’re interested in buying it. Hopefully, my buyer’s guide can help you learn more about this machine and make the right decision.

Specifications

The Basics

The Bernina 880 is one of Bernina’s best models. It responds to your needs like no other combo machine on the market. If you buy this unit, you will enjoy the new features.

They will help you achieve flawless results in embroidery, quilting, and sewing.

The Bernina 880 is packed with embroidery features like total embroidery stitch control, editing options, and pinpoint placement. The presser foot lowers at the beginning of a seam.

It lifts again at the end automatically, which is great. It’s one of the automatic features of this model that you will be able to enjoy if you buy it.

Also, you can enjoy automatic needle threading and thread cutting. When you sew on this machine, all your ideas come to life thanks to the large working space.

Also, you will be able to complete more projects in lesser time thanks to the unbeatable speed (1K SPM).

880 includes a free arm with 12 inches of working space to the right of the needle and 5 inches in height. This allows you to complete a larger project with ease and explore your creativity.

This workhorse comes with more than 1,764 stitches, nicely organized by category for a broad variety of options. The stitch quality is perfect for every project.

Thanks to the 400 built-in embroidery designs, including motifs by popular designers, and 12 font styles, you can realize and personalize any project you have in mind.

The Bernina 880 also comes with a 7-inch touch screen with brilliant colors and high-resolution images. The cutting-edge touchscreen tech allows you to pick from many innovative settings.

Thus baby provides vertical scrolling, drag, and drop, and the swipe option for erasing motifs with ease. It also includes a very intuitive on-screen operating system delivering personalized options.

What I love most about this machine is the large number of stitches, which are nicely organized and easy to reach. Thanks to the stitch designer, I can edit the existing stitches and make new ones.

All I need to do is draw my ideas straight on the touch screen. It’s that easy. The unit converts the design with a simple click into a stitch pattern. I can also modify and memorize the existing stitches.

As you can notice, the possibilities are endless with this machine. I can resize, combine, rotate, or mirror designs straight on the touch screen. The built-in basting cases keep hard to hoop things for embroidery.

You can make arched lettering effects, setup design density, and even introduce decorative patterns into embroidery. This combination machine allows you to be creative.

You can color complex blends, preview different color options on screen with the assistance of the color wheel and memorize to your USB stitch or straight on your machine.

Thanks to the endless embroidery option, you can stitch out border designs as well. This option will walk you through the whole process. Lastly, you will adore the absolute check.

This function helps you make the ideal design positioning. I also have to mention that this model comes with 150 inbuilt embroidery motifs by popular designers, which is exciting.

First Impressions

First and foremost, I must mention that this is a combination model. It responds to the needs of quilters, embroiderers, and sewers of any skill level.

It’s one of the best sewing machines available for the price, in my opinion. And the reason why I say that is because it’s loaded with innovative features.

For starters, you will get a 7-inch color touch screen along with a lot of functions above the needle. They control settings like needle up/down, reverse stitch, thread tie off and cut, presser foot up/down, design start/stop, the automatic needle threader, and the start-stop.

The clear bobbin cover and thread sensors notify you if you’re low on a thread before starting a design or an intricate stitching project.

However, what I appreciate the most are the 30 LEDs that illuminate the workspace. I also appreciate all the automatic features such as the drop feed function, thread adjustment, threading, and thread cutting, along with the variable speed slider.

This model also features 2 USB ports, one for connecting a monitor providing computer connectivity and a headphone jack. The first port allows you to download updates and extra designs.

They’re both situated on the right side of the unit, under the balance wheel. I also love the seam guides on the right and left sides of the needle on the needle plate.

Let’s summarize some of the main features that make this combo machine perfect.

• Color wheel
• Large free arm
• Dual feed
• 20 buttonholes
• 1,764 built-in stitches
• 400 built-in embroidery designs
• Stitching speed of 1,200 stitches per minute
• Embroidery speed of 1,000 stitches per minute
• On-screen assistance and animation
• Large detachable extension table
• Automatic needle threader
• 7-inch color touch screen
• Super large bobbins
• Stitch designer
• Reverse stitch
• Shape designer
• Stitch distortion
• Mirror image

One of the main things I love about most Bernina machines is that most of them provide easy threading. The bobbin winding systems and processes are identical too.

This makes it simple to move from one Bernina model to another with ease. The on-board guides on this machine make it even easier to set up for work.

Once threaded, choosing the preferred stitch option is easy and user-friendly. The hard thing is to select the right option for the 400 inbuilt designs and 1,700 stitches.

Instead of trying out decorative and utility stitch options, I have decided to test out a design. After it was selected, the display switched to a dual display that presented the embroidery design on the left and the grid representing the measurements of the chosen design.

This feature allows you to make your design bigger or smaller to meet your certain needs for the project at hand. I chose the default sized setting.

All there was for me to do is make sure that the right thread color was loaded and push the start switch. I have to admit. This unit is faster than any other household unit I have ever used.

It’s vibration-free and quiet, which I like. However, I was most impressed by the speed. Usually, machines that stitch at speeds of 1,000 stitches per minute provide more vibration.

Not this one. It purs like a kitten. The result was perfect. When a thread switch is needed, the machine stops and beeps, notifying you that you need to check what’s happening.

The on-board multiple thread stand makes thread changes efficient and fast. The thread guides help you make error-free and fast thread changes. Each pattern is well-done and precise.

The outcome is perfect in every way. Another good thing about this machine is that it can handle various types of fabrics such as natural fibers like linen, cotton, wool, knits, and denim.

It can also handle fine fabrics like taffeta, silk, satin, and velvet, synthetic fabrics like rayon, polyester, and super dense fabrics or multiple layers. It’s super-versatile and practical.

The Bernina 880 is the perfect solution for every passionate crafter. It’s the ideal addition to any sewing station where the embroidery is the main focus. This unit is fast and precise.

However, it’s not suitable for people who only focus on machine embroidery occasionally. If you want a basic embroidery machine, look elsewhere. This machine is for enthusiasts only.

I forgot to mention that it’s available in 2 different models. The 880 Silver edition and the regular SE 880. They’re pretty much the same. However, the Silver edition includes some extras.

It depends on your personal preferences and needs, which model you will choose. Whether you pick the standard version or the silver edition, you will be satisfied with your purchase.

I strongly recommend that you visit your local Bernina store and require a demonstration of both units before you make a decision.

I’m sure the employees will be more than happy to present how the Bernina 880 works and list the main benefits you will gain if you purchase it.

Another great thing is that you will get free classes if you purchase from a Bernina authorized seller. The lessons will teach you how to use all the features.

Lastly, I couldn’t find anything wrong with this unit except for the price. It’s a very expensive machine for beginners and people on a budget.

Other than that, 880 is flawless. Hopefully, my Bernina SE 880 review can help you determine if this is the right machine for you or not.

Exciting Features

You no longer have to imagine the perfect machine that automatically answers your needs. It already exists. The Bernina 880 is one of the best heavy-duty machines.

It’s loaded with automatic and innovative features that will blow your mind and help you complete your projects in record time. It’s precise, fast, and purrs like a kitten while working.

The presser foot decreases at the beginning of a seam and lifts at the end again automatically. Also, automatic threading and thread cutting makes everything automatically easier.

The feed dog lifts and decreases automatically for free-motion embroidery and stitching. The total stitch control boosted editing functions, and the pinpoint placement comes as extras.

However, it’s the number of designs, built-in stitches, and alphabets that make this machine impressive. It comes with 400 built-in embroidery designs and over 1,700 built-in stitches.

What you will love about this machine is the great lighting, thanks to the 30 LEDs. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the other impressive features you will love in this machine.

Extended Free-Arm

The Bernina 880 comes with a large free-arm with 12 inches of workspace to the right of the needle and 5 inches in height.

Thanks to the extra space, you can complete larger embroidery projects with ease in record time. You’re completely free to explore your creativity.

Extensive Stitch and Design Library

One of the best things about this machine is the large number of embroidery designs and stitches. It has over 1,700 built-in stitches and over 400 embroidery designs.

All the stitches are perfectly organized by category for a different set of applications. The hardest part is choosing the right stitch for your project because you have so many.

Also, you will get 12 font styles and motifs by popular designers for personalizing your embroidery tasks and expanding your creativity.

7-inch Color Touchscreen

The modern touch screen provides brilliant colors and high-resolution images. The cutting-edge tech lets you choose from a wide variety of innovative options.

It offers vertical scrolling, drag, and drops and the swipe option for erasing motifs with great ease. It also has a very intuitive onscreen operating concept with multiple personalized settings.

The Stitch Designer

The stitch designer is one of my favorite options because it allows me to express my creativity by editing the existing designs. However, it also allows for making new stitches.

You can simply draw your ideas right on the screen, and your machine will turn the design into a pattern with a single click. You can even change and memorize the existing stitches.

The Shape Designer

This function enables duplicating designs with a single click and then aligning them in the desired way. Whether in a heart, square, or circle, new and impressive designs emerge.

The Color Wheel

Thanks to the alphabet and over 400 built-in designs, embroidery has never been easier. Also, you can quickly import your motifs via the 2 USB ports.

Thanks to the color wheel, you can change your designs and align your favorite color system before you begin with work. This makes it simple to select the colors for your projects.

Endless Embroidery Designs

You can resize, combine, rotate, and mirror your designs straight on the touch screen. Also, the built-in basting cases keep hard to hoop things in spot for embroidery.

You can make arched lettering effects, setup design density, and even introduce decorative stitches into embroidery. It’s also possible to preview color options on screen with the assistance of the color wheel.

You will adore the absolute check for perfect design positioning. It’s one of my favorite features because it makes my work a lot easier and ensures perfect results.

Automatic Features

It took Swiss experts to makes this efficient, single-process threading system.

Simply bring the thread up via the guide, allow it to fall into the slot on top, slide it along the left side of the unit, push a switch, and your needle is automatically threaded.

You can also thread your machine manually if you’re used to that type of threading. This brand provides options for everyone, but I don’t see why you would choose manual threading.

Advanced Thread-Supply System

The thread-supply system of this machine is superb. The multi-spool holder is capable of holding large, small, and medium cones. The telescoping feature and vertical holders ensure a smooth thread release.

Additionally, the bobbin winder is situated up front for easy access. This allows you to choose the speed and amount of fill. As you can notice, Bernina 880 is user-friendly, which makes it perfect for beginners.

Creativity and Functionality

The Bernina 880 opens a new world of quilting and embroidery. It makes everything a lot easier, better, and more exciting, thanks to the innovative features.

One of the main things it provides is the extended workspace for completing different types of projects and extending your creativity. It’s highly-functional and practical.

The original and automatic features of this model are packed in a modern, elegant, and aesthetic design. No matter if you’re sewing, embroidering, or quilting, you will get flawless results.

The unforgettable sewing experience comes as standard with this machine. Like most Bernina machines, this one is also known for reliability, outstanding quality, and ease of use.

Advantages of Bernina SE 880

Aside from the fast and quiet operation, the big library of stitches and designs, the custom settings, and the large bobbin capacity, this model also has other advantages.

Warranty

The warranty program is excellent.

This model is covered by s two-year warranty for electrical components, a five-year warranty for printed circuit boards, and a 20-year warranty for mechanical components.

Set-up Time

I give the setup process five stars because it’s super easy. Also, exploring all the possibilities is enjoyable.

The wide range of options and the touch screen technology make everything a lot easier. All you need to do is set up a task, and then the unit does what it’s been programmed to do.

Extended Free Arm

Large quilts take a high-end, powerful machine that can handle heavy-duty projects. This machine has a free arm that provides enough space for completing large projects.

Lots of Options

The Bernina 880 includes over 1,700 built-in stitches. They’re nicely organized and easy to use, edit and retrieve. It also has over 400 designs and 12 inbuilt fonts.

You can edit the existing designs or use them as they are. You can upload your designs via the USB ports. The color wheel allows you to pick, review, and edit designs.

Quiet Work

The quiet work is what impressed me while working. Similar embroidery machines vibrate a lot. Not this one. It’s fast and quiet.

Also, it features a big bobbin that keeps over 70% extra thread than regular bobbins. The bobbin is easy to pop in and out with a single touch.

This workhorse has a stitching speed of 1,200 stitches per minute, while the max embroidery speed goes up to 1,000 stitches per minute.

Also, it requires little maintenance. Still, clean and oil your sewing buddy regularly. Cleaning and oiling extend the life of your unit.

Disadvantages of Bernina SE 880

This isn’t a machine for absolute beginners and seasonal hobbyists. It would be a shame to buy this unit and not use its full potential.

One disadvantage is the price. The Bernina 880 comes at a higher cost than similar combination models. However, it’s worth the cost.

Conclusion

This Bernina SE 880 review was written to help you determine if this machine meets your expectations.

New users might find this machine overwhelming. However, intermediate and advanced users will enjoy this advanced sewing machine.

It’s one of those sewing machines that respond to the needs of embroiderers, quilters, and sewers. It’s a high-end machine with innovative features.

You would be a fool to say skip this machine while searching for a combination machine. Hopefully, you will make the right decision based on your needs and budget.

It’s a high-cost machine, after all. If you own or used this machine before, feel free to share your opinion in the comments below.