be sure to lower your feed dogs...turn your pressure dial down from 47 to 1..press your bsr mode 1 button and you move the fabric...go to a medium plus speed..and you will be amazed how pretty your stitches come out..also i use really top notch cotton thread..shows up better..have fun with it.i love mine but still learning..

Please don't get discouraged. I use my BSR all the time and just love it. A couple suggestions: go to your dealer and have a hands-on demo, or better yet, take a class. If they don't offer a BSR class, request one. Most stores are very receptive to class requests. Second, practice on a quilt sandwich. The people who said the machine was running too fast for them don't understand how the BSR works. Here is my memory device for the BSR 1 and 2 modes..."1 is run, 2 is you." Mode 1 runs on its own at a steady rate of speed (too fast for some) but Mode 2 ("you") is where YOU control the speed based on how fast you move the fabric. It does take a little practice, but is well worth it. BTW, the rumor that the BSR doesn't work on red fabric is not true. The BSR is an expensive tool so don't give up on it. Most Bernina dealers are only too happy to give you extra help as their sales are dependent upon happy buyers and a good reputation. Good luck!

I have one and do not use it very often, but it does work when I use it. If you have done everything that the manual tells you to and it still doesn't work correctly, take it back to the dealer and have them show you how to use it and stay until you do know now. That is what we have good dealers for and why I bought my machine through a dealer so that I could get the lessons and when I have problems they are there and willing to help me.

Maybe wipe off the red light spot - may be covered with something?? I've had that happen - after wiping it, it worked. Just a thought.

I have a Bernina 640. I joined the Bernina 430-440-630-640-730 Yahoo group digest. Kari Curley "owns" the group. This group is extremely informative about all things Bernina including the BSR. I really recommend joining for all the info you can get as well as friendly chatting. Their files have so much useful information.
Cynthia

Ditto.
I don't use my BSR either. I prefer to FMQ without it.
Good Luck!

mine also, the peddle must be unplugged to work the BSR

thanks for this link-
I, too, am still learning how to use the BSR. Whenever I get a little cocky and think I'm on the way, I get humbled pretty quickly ;-)

I agree, I have a Bernina 830 and I couldn't always get the BRS to work correctly. So usually I just drop the feeddogs and FMQ. :oops:

Wendy, may I ask WHY you want to use the BSR when your FMQ is so stunning without it? ;)