Did you clean the bobbin area well and around the feed dogs? The bobbin area has a latch where you can pop out the bobbin area and clean. Maybe there's something in there?

I found a Bernina 910, which is a bit newer than yours on CL for only $100!! I was dismayed to find that it does not have the presser foot pressure adjustment, and I find it a little too tight. Even in modern Berninas, I had to pay $2399 for their "cheapest" (NOT) machine that has this feature. My 1893 Singer has it, but not a $1300 2013 Bernina.

Do you folks who have these older machines miss this adjustment?

No, I don't miss it because my vintage Berninas are adjusted correctly. Vintage Elnas are the same way. I've not had to adjust any of mine as the pressure is dead on, but I believe there is a way to do this inside the head of the machine.

Candace,

That is a cute little Bernina. Not only does it look like a miniature 830, it also looks like a miniature 930. My wife has a 930 and loves it.

We also have a 319K with oodles of cams. My wife asked me to ask you what the serpentine cam number was for the 319 and the Bernina. Or what does it look like?

Joe

No, not at all. In fact, I was just marveling at how smoothly my 930 handled the many different fabrics of my last charity quilt. I did a lot of squiggly quilting -- sorta like a wonky manual serpentine stitch -- with a white upper thread and a navy bobbin thread. (It resembles the quilt in my avatar) Nary a problem with any of it. They just don't make 'em like they used to!

Joe, on the 319 (or 306) it's cam #20. I don't know why they stopped using that stitch on the 400 and 500 series of cams because it's one of my favorites.

Serpentine is basically snake like. So picture a snake or an "S" shape.

Candace,

Thanks for the numbers, we do have a #20 flat cam.
I also checked my stitch pattern chart I made with my 401, and top hat cam #2 makes what really looks like a serpentine pattern.

Maybe I should do one with the 319, 401 / 500, and Bernina 930 to see how they compare.

Joe

Joe, no that #2 cam isn't an 'S', that's a scallop type. It doesn't make the full curve and the stitch out is quite different than a serpentine. It's half of a serpentine stitch or a backwards 'C'.

I also have an 807.. wonderful little machine.. I bought my 830 brand new way back when it was introduced.. it still runs like a champ.. I was delighted to find this littler 807.. it's like the 830 has a little sister!!

Here's are the two sisters:> The 807 is lighter. Those extra cams in the 830 are heavy.