Lauren Vlcek's Fabric Fancification

[Renata]

Marilyn,
I just went on the internet to find whom you might write to at Bernina USA about your 830, if you are so inclined. If it were I, I would send an email to the president of Bernina of America, Inc. and copy his vice president, Michael Perich. I think that might be a start. Here is the contact information:

Paul Ashworth
President Bernina of America, Inc.
mailtoashworth@berninausa.com

Michael Perich
Vice President Bernina of America, Inc.
mailto:mperich@berninausa.com

Because, on the surface, this is a dealer issue, the help desk at Bernina USA is going to direct you back to the dealer (it's a pretty standard, boilerplate response), and it is not necessarily inappropriate. Of course, the dealer you are going to now could also help you go up that chain with Bernina USA on the assumption that he/she agrees with you regarding your machine. I purchased a Bernina 380 that was problematic and the dealership's technicians were left baffled. My dealer packed up the 380 and sent it to Aurora, IL (Bernina USA) and their technicians worked it and returned it in proper working order. I did not have to get a replacement machine because everything was fixed at that level. Had they not been able to fix it, I am confident I would have been picking up a new machine (I'll never know for sure ).

If you want to know a little more about Mr. Ashworth (he is the new president of Bernina USA as of this year), there is an article I would commend to you:

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/bu...nd-market.html

Hope this helps.

[Zarah]

Renata, you are fantastic. I think this a good start, but Marylin, it might be a good idea to inform your new dealer about what you are going to do. Hopefully he will agree

[Renata]

I totally agree with Norma regarding keeping your dealer in the loop ahead of whatever action you might contemplate. After all, the dealer can be your greatest advocate and, in the end, is definitely going to become part of the solution, for you. Your dealer can also give you some good suggestions on how to approach Bernina USA, if you decide to go that route, based on his/her experience with them.
PS If you do send a communication to Bernina USA's top management, I would definitely cc: the dealer.

[idaho]

Thanks Lois and Renata.... for your encouragement and input.! My machine is an "820" the model without embroidery
capability. I think they are pretty similar, tho. I got it in May of "09" and there is a long and convoluted history of
stuff including a trip to Aurora..or so that dealer said ! Tho there seems to be no record of it there . :? I suppose I should
get my notes together again and try again. I have a friend who is very good at letter writing..and maybe she can put
things in a better frame than I. Those of you reading this ... Berninas are wonderful ! My 440QE was super ! My current dealer
is a 3 hour drive away and it is hard to maintain a good customer relationship at that distance and getting it repaired is
time consuming and expensive even before you pay the bill. When this machine sews ...It Is a JOY to use ! A real JOY !
So...That all said...I will persevere. Norma...for sure would include dealer in some way and the service guy as well....
don't want to anger anyone. I'm cranky enough for all of us ! I will be awhile getting things done.

[loise98]

All of the above are good suggestions. Perhaps just getting all the information to the currant dealer is the place to start. Make sure he knows everything that happened before he came on the scene and make sure you let him know that you believe Bernina should have been of more help to you when you no longer had a local dealer. You don't make that kind of investment in a machine to buy headaches.

[loise98]

Love the class and programme on the Quilt Show - where can I obtain the Companion Pack that you mentioned on the show - this would be a great help to start learning to use beads as embellishments on some Applique projects that I am about to start - hope you can help.

Mrs. M. Jenkins (Australia)

Email: mailto:sal39@tadaust.org.au

[rehak]

Love the class and programme on the Quilt Show - where can I obtain the Companion Pack that you mentioned on the show - this would be a great help to start learning to use beads as embellishments on some Applique projects that I am about to start - hope you can help.

Mrs. M. Jenkins (Australia)

Email: mailto:sal39@tadaust.org.au

You can get the embellishment pack here:

http://www.laurensfiberart.etsy.com

I don't know if there's any problem with shipping to Australia since Lauren is in the US. She's probably happy to ship anywhere, but it will be more expensive.

Nancy

[rehak]

Here it is, my "finished" project:

Finished is in quotes since the text block is looking a bit plain to me, but I need to live with it for a while before I decide if adding something would be overkill.

What fun to play with the beads and sequins that came in the embellishment pack and to look through my bead stash for more to add!! Of course, now I feel the need to collect fancy sequins for future quilts, an area of my stash that is very lacking! Isn't it bad enough that I'm already collecting fabric, thread and beads???? But what fun!!

If you're interested, here are a couple of detail shots:


I totally recommend this class!!

Nancy

[Renata]

It really shows that you had a blast doing this class, Nancy! I love the colors, detail, the embellishments are just right! It's definitely a class I'll take down the road. Thanks for sharing!

[twiglet]

Love it Nancy, especially the ants crawling on the leaves

[Zarah]

I love your ants and the small flowers you have made are fantastic

[Reetzbobeetz]

Beautiful work Nancy. You did a wonderful job and your attention to details really shows. Enjoy your quilt now.

[Reetzbobeetz]

That looks great fun, Nancy

[Lorchen]

Hey, send him back! Your new Bernina boss is quite 'dishy', and being English he should be this side of the big pond.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, Marilyn.

[Renata]

Hey, send him back! Your new Bernina boss is quite 'dishy', and being English he should be this side of the big pond.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, Marilyn.

If you want him, come and get him, Lorchen! :lol: :lol: :lol: :twisted: