Alright so my friend went out and got the Embroidery kit for her 440QE. I got it all setup for her and we did a few of the included patterns in black to test it out.

She plans on using this to embroider images, etc on the quilt for her granddaugthter. My question is this...Should the bobbin thread be the same as the color your embroidering? We had white bobbin thread in, and of course you could see it in the finsihed product.

I was expecting a nice large manual to come with it, instead there is a CD with the beginning basic images, etc.

Any tips would be great I can't get into the class for this until 2 weeks. So any help before then is greatly appriciated.

you can use the 60 weight bobbin thread which i have only found in black n white or you can use your 40 weight poly or rayon which you are using on the top also in your bobbin.
hope this helps.
Gale

I use pre-wound bobbins in my embroidery machine (Babylock). They come with white/clear, very thin thread and are made for embroidery machines. I think I bought them on ebay and the seller was helpful with chosing the right bobbins for my machine. The pre-wounds hold way more thread than bobbins I wound on my machine and they weren't expensive.

I always use the same thread (I almost 100% of the time use Isacord for embroidery), but if you're doing a dense design, you might get a lot of build up on the back, then you can use the bobbin embroidery thread, which is finer, but you may need to adjust your tension. Good luck!!!

If the bobbin thread is showing on the top that means that the tension isn't set correctly for the thread being used, So you need to balance it out so that if anything the top thread is showing just a hair on the back,

Generally bobbin thread is used in embroidery, it is thinner and you can fit more onto the bobbin requiring less bobbin changes, the prewound ones are nice as they have just that little more as well. and when doing embroidery you will use up more bobbin thread than you are used to as there is usually a lot of stitched unless you are using line designs like redwork,

Any specific questions feel free to PM me, I have been using an embroidery machine for more than 16 years,

I use "Bottom Line" in my bobbin. As cutebuns said, if the bobbin thread is showing on top your tension is off.
Did you thread your bobbin thread through the little "arm" on the bobbin case? I have a 630 and have to go through the little hole on the "arm"

I sometimes use paper tear away stabilizer. I buy pre-wounded bobbins in black and white. I try to use white when using lite colors and black for dark colors. On the other hand, if I use Ricky Tims stable Stuff stabilizer, nothing shows up. This is cut away stabilizer and can be left on. When it is wet it feels like polyesther. I have done projects embroidering on silk and I then fill my own bobbins with the same color as the top.

Superior thread sells several colors of pre-wound bobbins. I have had great success wqith them in my Brother. I'm sure they would help you find the right bobbins for your machine.

I had a 440QE and loved it, upgraded to the 730E. Embroidery is just awesome! I use black or white bobbin thread in the bobbin most of the time (got large cones of each), but sometimes (especially with free standing lace) I use the same thread on top and bottom. Haven't tried yet with the 730, but it did require some fussing with the bobbin tension. However, I remember being told in class to lower the upper tension, sometimes to around 2.

Good luck, once your friend gets all the basics figured out, a grand time will be had!!! I made a ton of free standing lace snowflakes for friends and coworkers this Christmas.

I agree I use bottom weight on the bottom but if the thread is showing on the top adjust the tension, took me a while to figure it out, but works perfectly now. I never touched the bobbin tension it is all in the top. mine is set at 4

I have a Bernina 730E. I tried the bobbin weight thread and found on some of the denser designs the white shows up on top so when I do dense designs I use a shade of the same color on the bottom as I am working with on the top (red for reds, greens for greens, etc) I also adjusted my bobbin tension screw just a tad bit. The last batch of embroidery I did (for the grandkids) I used regular sewing thread in the bobbin and it seemed to work fine. The 730E bobbin is slightly thinner than regular Bernina bobbins so I don't know if the pre-wound will fit?

You didn't mention what stabilizer you were using. If none, that's your issue. And 60wt. bobbin thread can be purchased in any color. Mettler makes it in any color under the rainbow. Poly bobbin thread is mainly in black or white.

Some of the Bernina models, like mine, have a special way to thread the bobbin for embroidery. If you didn't have it threaded properly, that's another reason the tension would be off.

Be very careful, I'm not sure the prewound bobbins work in all Bernina models. You don't want to ruin your machine:< If you're seeing bobbin thread in your design, and you've got the correct wt. bobbin thread, you usually need more stabilizer. Floriani(spelling?) is great because it tells you what stitch density is suggested for each stabilizer.

If it is a dark color, you can use black. If it is FSL (free standing lace), use the same thread as the top. Otherwise on light colors, I use white.

If hers has a pig tail bobbin for embroidering and decorative stitches, make sure she uses it. Yes, it will make a difference. My 640 has a pig tail but I don't know if the 440 does.

Yes, the 440 has what my teacher called a "finger" the thread must be threaded through that. My new 730 has a little curly spring thing, that does indeed look like a piggies tail. It also has a separate bobbin carrier for embroidery and sewing.

I have an Aquatear stablizer....not sure the weight I will need to look, it's whatever the sales person sold us...:P


But I will play with the tension tonight and see what we get, I adjusted it like the software told me...I believe 4.5 if memory serves me correct. But like I said will attempt it again this evening.

AND I don't think we put the bobbin thread through the eye...so that could also be my issue. I want a Bernina step by step picture book for this. :)

I'll let you know how it goes.

Try putting the thread through the finger on the bobbin case first, and then if that doesn't work, try the upper tension. On my 440 I sometimes has to turn it down to almost 2. Good Luck.

I always use 60wt. bobbin thread except when you will be able to see the back of the design. Hope this helps :D

My Bernina 180E uses 100%cotton embroidery thread, 60wt. It won't use poly thread, not sure if yours will be that picky.
Embroidery bobbin thread is different than sewing bobbin thread.
You can buy black bobbin thread to use on black fabric, otherwise white bobbin thread is normally used. Also be sure to use embroidery needles, I use Organ needles. Be sure to use a good stabilizer. A good quality fabric is a must with embroidery. A poor quality fabric will pucker, not lay flat and the fabric will become distorted. Have fun. :thumbup:

I've never used Aquatear, but you may need several layers of it hooped, depending on the the stitch count. I've had some designs that are less dense that only need one or two layers of stabilizer and then there are others that need 3 or more if super dense.

I have the same set up, and I love it. I use only black or white OESD cones for the bobbin. The real question is what stabilizer to use. There are many kinds: cut away, tear away, washaway. I use OESD for that too. There are some good websites I've found:

http://www.embroideryonline.com/prod...cialDeals.aspx

http://www.threadart.com/shop/

http://www.annthegran.com/Default.aspx

http://www.redrockthreads.com/superi...bottomline.asp

http://www.brother-usa.com/HomeSewin...e-designs.aspx

http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Default.aspx

There is lots of good info on all these sites and you can find free designs to download. If they don't have the "art" suffix, I've had good luck using the "hus" suffix. You just have to make sure to have "all files" checked when you try opening them.

I was in tears the first couple of times I tried to use my machine, but we are fast friends now. The missing manual is a pain, but I printed the online short version of the manual, and that has been a big help. Also, I called around until I found a shop that offers lessons. I highly recommend it.

I have a Bernina 450 and my bobbin case does NOT have the extra hook that other Bernina models have that someone mentioned in their reply here. I'm not familiar with the 440, but I'm guessing it may be the same as the 450.

I had a 440 for about 1 year and it has an extra "finger" on the bobbin for embroidery.

I use the Titanium Organ brand, the titanium are a little more expensive than the regular Organ needles, but I really like them for embroidery.

I have the 440 too, and there is indeed an extra "hook" or finger on the bobbin. You thread the bobbin as usual, but then you must also thread through the eye on the hook to get proper tension.

You can use invisible thread.

That's not recommended in the bobbin.

great to know.

I have been told that you cannot use prewound bobbins in a Bernina. You can use invisible thread in the bobbin if you use Jenny Haskins invisible thread. I was told about the thread and could not believe it could used in the bobbin, so I bought a spool and it works.

I've been told no-no-no on the invisible thread in mine. And like you I've been told no on the pre-wound bobbins too. I've never heard of Jenny Haskins thread. Interesting.

I have the 440QE with the embroidery unit and I was having that problem and they told me to use the same color on bottom as on the top, haven't had anymore problems, I always use some kind of stabilizer.

I bought my JH's thread at my dealer but could be ordered on Jenny's website.

thank you all for the info. Penny

Thanks

Michael, I haven't had time to read everyone's responses on here but I have found that berninausa.com is very prompt to answer questions and help you with whatever you need. I just recently contacted them via email on their site and the technition who helped me stayed right on top of it until I had the problem solved. Hope this helps.

I checked the site and can''t find the tread but would love some of the stabilizer, but not 10 yards! Found the thread on the Florini site, but that is AU, is there any place in the US or ships to US that I can get these products?

all brands.com has stabilizers for cheaper then other stores. Penny

Do you have a Viking dealer in your area? Check to see if they carry it or can order it. I'll check some websites later and let you know what I find.

I am not sure if there is a Viking dealer in the area, will have to check.

Penny, do you think allbrands would have the Jenny Haskins peel and stick wash away stabilizer?

SewCreativeCottage.com sells Jenny Haskins invisible thread.