(I posted a few weeks before when I was having trouble with timing going out 3 times in three weeks). I am still having the same issues with this machine. Yesterday, authorized Bernina repairman said the reason my Bernina is going out of time is because I have been threading machine with the pressure foot down. I find it hard to believe his statement. If this were true, our owner's manuals would have a great big warning statement telling us our machine may need servicing if we thread needle with pressure foot up. Bernina owners, please let me know if you have ever threaded your machine with the pressure foot down and what you think of his explanation.

I reciently read to thread any machine with the pressure foot UP. Tension is better with the machine done this way compared to having the foot down. I know it's more difficult to thread with the foot in the up position, however, isn't having a smooth running machine better than one that breaks threads, or puts out uneven stitches?

I can see that if you thread any machine with the foot down the thread may not go into the tension discs correctly, but I sure can't figure it causing any OTHER problems, very strange if it's true.

When the foot is down, the tension discs are engaged and you are putting undue stress on the thread and the discs when you pull it to thread the needle. This is true for any sewing machine. I think your repair guy's explanation is right on and you should listen to him. I never thread machines with the foot down...it's like pushing a car with the brakes on. :D

That is good to know. I have been doing it with the foot down. :oops:

You explained it very well. :D I have done it by mistake once or twice, and I worry that it will hurt my machine.

I was too, and wondered why my stitches were off - answer presser foot needed to be UP when threading.
It's very easy to unhook the foot, use the auto threader, then rehook the foot to sew.

Great post- hope this helps you! I've learned from it.

When threading the machine I always have my pressure foot up for the exact reason Ghost Rider explained. However, when threading my needle I have done it with pressure foot down but only dropping the pressure foot after I have taken enough slack in my thread that I may need. I never pull my thread through the machine when the tension disks are engaged (ie when pressure foot is down). I always raise it before pulling any thread. So much so that it is engrained habit now.

I was taught to thread any sewing machine with the presser foot up. You can lower the foot to thread the needle.

Ditto.

It is correct that you must/should thread with the presser foot up, so that the tension discs are open. Maybe in the past it has worked for you to thread with it down because the thread has just fallen into place once you started sewing. I can see how you'd get thread tangles, poor stitch quality, and tension problems from threading with the foot down, but I personally don't understand how it would damage the machine. Not saying it won't, but I don't get how.

If I pull on the thread with the presser foot down, you can tell the machine is "fighting" it. It doesn't pull easily. That's how I know it can't be good for the machine. I think that's why they say not to thread the machine with the foot down, because the tendancy (when threading manually at least) is to thread the eye, then pull a short length of thread on through to go under the presser foot or to hold onto. Hope this made sense!

Presser foot up when threading the top of the machine. To thread the needle only I don't think it matters. Sometimes I think of threading the machine as just the needle. I tend to oversimplify! But that would be threading the needle, not the machine.

I'm lost on this topic. What difference would it make if the pressure foot is up or down? It's the position of the needle when it comes time to threading that counts doesn't it? I can't imagine trying to thread it when the needle is down. I seriously think that your dealer is feeding you a line of BS. I got a lemon Bernina & the shop didn't want to stand behind it. Go over their heads & write to the president of the company. I don't care how good they say these machines are, they do make faulty ones too. Good luck

I think you misread the topic. Threading of the machine from spool to needle should be done with the pressor foot up so the tension discs are open.
Threading of the needle can be done with the foot up or down depending on your preference.
Threading of the needle with the needle down, well, when someone figures that out, I'd love to hear it! :shock:

The manual for my machine states that the machine should be threaded with the pressure foot up.

This is new to me but I believe it. And understand it re: the tension disks

Just to clarify...when I said my machine gets "out of timing', I mean the whole bobbin case has come loose and the needle misses the opening where the hook is.... resulting in the needle hitting the casing. I'm not talking about my machine being "out of tolerance" where the stitches aren't correct.

Luckily, now that I'm so cautious of this machine, I sew with one eye and one ear focused on anything unusual, and I can catch the problem just as it happens and have avoided breaking a needle. I'm not speaking of just skipped stitches or thread breaking. Yesterday after getting machine back from shop I used Bernina for only about 2 minutes and then it wouldn't sew again! This time the needle went through bobbin case just fine, but needle wouldn't pick up bobbin thread.

Last night told me the machine was getting out of alignment because I didn't have pressure foot up when threading machine. After I got home, I looked up needle threading in my manual and it states pressure foot up, but no warning that "if you don't do it you will have severe mechanical problems and break needles!". I am not buying the fact that I have damaged my machine by threading it with the pressure foot down.

I have been in the sewing industry and have sewn on many brands and models. The timing has only gone out twice. That was when I was sewing commercially 40+ hrs. a week for 3 years.

Using a machine over a long period of time may cause a little wear or slippage. When the timing goes out on a machine, your machine will not sew properly, loose stitching, skipped stitches, etc.

So, you take your machine in for servicing and you are good to go for several more years. Not like I've been doing, taking my Bernina in to have timing set every week for 4 weeks.


Since I posted this morning, I called another Bernina dealer 40 miles aways. She said the pressure foot should be up when threading since it releases the tension and your first few stitches might be affected by being loose, etc. HOWEVER, not having the pressure foot up when threading will not throw your machine out of time causing the serious problems I have. She said there is something else going on.

I am thinking I have a lemon. Been sewing for too many years on too many machines to be intimidated. The repairman/owner has told me twice that he is puzzled and indicated I may have a alternative solution.

I am thinking you are correct. I don't see where threading the machine with the presser foot down will throw it out of timing at all. It may make it miss a couple stitches, but that is just a lesson learned. Next time ... raise the presser foot. :-D

i have a babylock and was told by the shop where i bought it that the foot needs to be down for the auto threader to work properly. i will take a look at my manual to see what they say. i'm more of a hands on than reading mnuals !!

You need to bring the thread to the needle on all sewing machines with the pressure foot up; you can then thread the needle with the foot down if you prefer.

Same here....altho I thread both with foot up. Just habit.

I thread the machine with the pressure foot up and drop the pressure foot to thread the needle so I can see the hole better.

I agree with Izaquilter. I don't think how you thread your needle has anything to do with your timing going out. If you thread the needle with foot down, the tension discs are engaged, foot up the tension discs are released. It would take more than that to get your timing out. Years ago I had a New Home and I sewed 3 fish houses made out of canvas for my husband and BIL. Fighting with canvas which is extremely heavy and that is what got my timing out of whack. I was young and stupid then. I got a new Bernina and did not let my husband talk me into anything like that again. I think you need a new Bernina dealer and this one should be reported to the Better Business Bureau.
Marilyn

Yes, for the auto threader to work, the foot has to be down on my Bernina as well, but it still has to be up when threading the machine up to that point.

I thread my machine with the presser foot up, but when I am ready to put the thread through the eye of the needle I drop the foot down so I can see the eye of the needle.

I thought b erninas had self threaders.

I always thread mine with the presser foot down.
I have never had a problem.
I seldom raise my pressure foot and use the knee lift when sewing. I would take my machine to another dealer, it doesn't have to be a Bernina dealer. I take my Berninas to a Phaff dealer for cleaning/adjustments. I get better service than I did from my Bernina dealer. Plus hes only 12 miles away,
my Bernina dealer was a 30 mile drive.

Think Ghostrider is right on.

I have both Bernina's and Janome's...I have always been told by both dealers to thread with the presser foot up for the tensions to work properly...I have never had any issues with any of the machines....blessings

This is exactly what I have been told. I was also told years and years ago (machines were not digitized then) that to adequately change your tension on the machine the presser foot must be in the DOWN position. Have not read that on any NEWER machines, but I always to it that way.

My Bernina does not have a needle threader. I have had it for several years and that is the only feature I wish it DID have. Love that little machine.

Hi
I have a Bernina 440QE that I purchased last year, I was told by the dealer to put the foot up and threading the machine.
So that's what I do and have had no problems.
NormaBeth

Yes threading a Bernina machine with the presser foot up is a must. The tension will be all wrong if you don't. I have the 730.

When I bought mine I was told that before I took it home. Then in the first class they told us the same thing. I don't know if its in the book or not, never looked. Both times they explained that the tension discs are closed when the foot is down. They also said the needle should be up when threading the machine.

Yes I agree, the pressure foot is to be up when threading. I have a Bernina 153 QE with a self threader. Then I put the pressure foot down to thread the needle, but only after threading the machine with the foot in the up position. I am not sure we really answered the question though. Is threading the needle with the foot down, actually enough to throw the timing off in the machine? I just don't think it is. There has to be something more to throw the timing off. What do you think?
Marilyn

Interesting. I've never given it much thought. I believe my presser foot is usually up though.

I agree, there has to be something else. Take it back and trade it. If they won't work with you, find another dealer!