Bernina BSR troubles
 

I have a Bernina 430 with the BSR foot, and I can't seem to get satisfactory results using it. As soon as I start moving the fabric, the machine goes off at a tremendous speed, regardless of the speed at which I'm moving the fabric, resulting in extremely small and generally pretty uneven and unattractive-looking stitches. This seems to happen no matter whether I'm in mode 1 or 2. I'm to the point where I've given up on it and gone back to doing free motion quilting with an old-fashioned foot, and I get pretty nice results that way--but I'm frustrated because the BSR was very expensive and it really ought to work better than this. Has anyone else had this particular problem? Thanks!!

I'm not sure I'm going to be much help, I admit I don't own a BSR. But the first thing that comes to mind is are you able to adjust the speed of the machine itself?

I have a BSR and am still learning how to use it but it is practice!!

Did you get it from a dealer? I'd take it there and ask for a lesson.

I've has some problems with mine also...wiping the sensor off so it's clean has taken care of it.

Yes, I've tried adjusting the speed of the machine. The BSR doesn't seem to care about that. It's definitely switched on and running. Unfortunately, the dealer I bought the machine from went out of business about two months later--I don't know if a different dealer would still help me. I'll try cleaning the sensor and see if that helps. Thanks!!

What stitch length did you set the machine for? The BSR should speed up or slow down depending on how you move the fabric, but I think you need to specify a stitch length so it knows how big to make the stitches. When I use mine - and granted it's not that often - I also adjust the machine speed slider to low or medium speed.

It would be worth asking another dealer for help - while they may not have sold you your machine, they can sell you feet and other Bernina doodads, with the hope that a happy customer will come back when you're ready to upgrade your machine.

Good luck and happy new year!

Janet

I tend to leave it on the default setting for stitch length, which is 2.0 mm. The stitches it takes are definitely way shorter than that! Thanks, I might try taking it to the closest dealer--I have bought doodads and feet and fabric from them before, so hopefully they'll take pity on me if the sensor cleaning doesn't work out.

Try the machine speed in the middle, and in BSR 2, that is when it only goes when you move the fabric. I feel I have more control in that mode. Before you do anything else, take out your manual and re read the section on BSR, after reading these posts, with all the advice, it may make more sense to you. Don't give up on it, the BSR is a great tool for equal stitches, once you figure things out.

I always use my BSR 2, Love it and could not FMQ with out it!!

Set you stitch length to a longer setting and slow the speed down on your machine. That should help.

Thanks guys! I'll try all that.

The last time i tried my brs it did OK in mode 2 when i moved the fabric. What is it supposed to do in mode one. I could not figure that out from the book.

When I use my BSR on my 440QE I always reduce the machine speed all the way down. BSR 1 runs when the fabric is moved. BSR 2 runs constantly. Practice with both on scrap fabric.
Also, I took my BSR to my dealer last year and had the computer in it updated - all they did was plug it into a new machine. Perhaps that and a quick lesson from the dealer would help you.

You aren't going to like my answer, but, I have the 830 with the BSR and I refuse to use it. I didn't like the stitches so what I do is put the stitch length to 0 and free motion quilt that way. I think it works great!!!

Take the foot pedal out. Turn speed to low and use mod 2. Now try to quilt . Turn the speed up gently on the speed control until you find a speed you enjoy. Just leave th foot pedal alone for now and now you are working on the speed only. I love the BSR and bought the machine after using one in classes I went to. It is the best thing I use.
If it is still too fast when lever slide is at low then you have a problem with the machine and the dealer needs to have it back. Pm if you want any other help.
I have just retread your posts. Ring bernina themselves and ask the for help. They should also be able to tell you where your closest dealer is who will help.
If they don't I'm sure it is against some warranty or something legal.

Even though I was not the one who had the question, I got a lot of good info from this discussion. Thanks.

I tried the BSR for the first time to make some quilted fabric for a purse and it was fun but you gave me some new options.

I'm really intrigued by the BSR ... is it really all that hard to get onto using it to get the even quilting it's meant to produce?

What are the negatives about it?
And the positives? ... beyond the perfect quilting ........

In other words, SELL me on it ... or convince me as to why I don't want to go there!!!

(currently, I have a Janome 6600, so would upgrade to a wider throat ... I think it's the 820?)

And has anyone made the switch between those machines ... what are the other benefits beyond the BSR that'll have me in love with it! :D

I've tried what you all recommended--cleaning the sensor, setting the speed to super low, increasing stitch length, BSR2 (I always used that one anyway). While perhaps slightly improved, it's still looking pretty terrible, and definitely a lot worse than my old-fashioned free-motion quilting. What is strange is that my mom has an Aurora 440QE with the BSR, and I tried it over the holidays and it acted pretty much the same way, which would suggest either user error or a whole batch of bad BSRs. I will contact Bernina, and perhaps drop by the dealer I've been buying feet from in the hopes that they'll take pity on me if I act pathetic since I'll be in the area next week. :) Again, thank you all so much for your help!

@sewingsuz: it's supposed to move continuously. I think it's so that you can take securing stitches at the beginning and end of a line of quilting.