Any way to stop the bounce?
 

Hello friends! So, I'm sewing bags for my sister's upcoming mission trip... and while I'm overlock stitching the side seams (don't have a serger) and of course, I'm in a hurry, the machine is bouncing a bit. DH bought me a really nice sewing table (name brand) to go with my machine (Bernina 750QE)... I'm usually not sewing this fast while piecing/quilting...

I've slowed down, but is there any way to stabilize the table any more than it already is? Does anyone else have this problem?

I don't know if this will help or not. I teach quilting classes in my studio and I have the quilters put a mat under their machines. I purchased a yoga mat and cut it into big pieces, large enough to go under the machines. It helps cut down on the noise and saves my tables from being scratched by the machines. You may be able to put a towel or something under your machine as some sort of a shock absorber.

What size needle are you using? Maybe change to a larger one or one made for use with denim?

Try one of those thick bath mats. They have enough cushion to absorb some of the bounce and you can use it as a pin cushion.

Have that thoughtful DH sit on the table and chat with you while you speed along?:D :D

Make sure the machine is sitting over the table legs, not in the center of the table.

Or, use a heavier, sturdier table.

Try a mat made for kitchen sinks. Inexpensive and can be used for something else if it doesn't work. froggyintexas

I've used the bumpy shelf liner stuff under a machine to keep it from "walking". So it should help with "bounce" as well.

I bought a mat made by Janome. It's thick and solid. It works great especially when sewing on my portable machine at classes.

I like this idea best! Maybe he can be handing you things or pinning for you! Wouldn't that be a sight

I have a scrap piece of carpet underneath my Bernina. I do French seams on my bags.

I have the Bernina 880 and I put a quarter inch thick piece of foam matting under it. Still if I sew at break neck speed I will get a lot of vibration. Just the nature of these big, heavy machines. I had the 750!before and it was the same. Just slow your speed down slightly and get a rubber mat. Those used to go under carpet to prevent slipping will work as well.

Oh friends...Thank you for all these great suggestions!! I will be looking for just the perfect mat for under the machine. But I think Jan's suggestion is the best... and my sweet DH loved it too! (The only problem is clearing a space for him. Those flat surfaces tend to get covered up!!) sigh....
Thank you everyone!!!!

I bought one of those cheap adjustable height craft tables and put my sewing machine on it. It vibrated/jumped across the room. Then I put the sewing machine on a desk, and it's perfectly steady there. The height isn't the greatest, though.

Perhaps get some of the rubber shelf liners and put under your machine, that might help.

^^^ This. I find I need to put my machine closer to the legs where there is more support.

My embroidery machine did the same thing so I bought a desk at a thrift store and it does not vibrate now. Of course the height does not matter with an embroidery machine.

My thought (because I have the same issue at times) is you really need a wooden table.

My two cents are "ALL OF THE ABOVE" ...HAhhaa

Sounds like you need to slow down for sure; add weight on the table and/or machine; add a shock absorber of some sort (pad, mat, towel, etc) and maybe some weights over the 'arm' of the machine... sort of like saddlebags with sand or rocks or heavy nuts and bolts or whatever...

But with the table jumping around... heavy cans of soup (giant commercial sizes?) might help. Or get a sturdier table.Been there done that and that jumping is sooooo distracting and disconcerting.

Good luck.

Mouse pads work for me---buy used ones at garage sales and use as many as I need to fit the machine and serger

I agree with all of the above on padding and a sturdier table. Back in the day, I had a card table as my sewing table. It really did the jitterbug when I sewed, especially when I went at a higher rate of speed. When I was able to move to the dining table cuz the little kiddoes weren't as curious anymore, it was a great improvement.

If your machine is sitting on a table, try to move the machine closer to one end or the other. The legs being closer to the machine will help a little with the bounce, and slowing down also always helps

You can also place a piece of plywood under the machine and on top of table, That might help also.

I put a flat piece of board on my table for my portable. If it's on a level piece of furniture with absolutely no give when you lean on it you're good. Last night I needed a bit more room so I put my 401 down into the cabinet then my portable on top. Didn't bounce at all.

An old wood cutting board works great, also!

If you check with your local carpet store, they have samples of their different carpets and they have a binding all around the square of carpet. (actually a "rectangle" of carpet) When they get new samples in the store, you can usually get them free or once in a while you see them at flea markets for 50 cents or $1 ea. They are just the right size and the carpet thickness holds your pins like a pin cushion, and keeps other items like snips or scissors, handy as well and looks neatly organized. When I sew full speed ahead, nothing bounces anywhere. And the carpet samples look pretty under the machine too. (get a pretty one to match your sewing room) Sandrea