Bernina owners... Help please
 

When you FMQ with your BSR on do you ever get loops on the bottom of your quilt? Mine are ever so slight but if I run my fingernail across a row of stitches I can hear the small thread loops and I am always worried the stitching won't hold up. I'm assuming my tension is off and I've adjusted the top tension to be tighter but that hasn't fixed it. Do you ever have tension issues? How much do you have to change your tension when you FMQ? Any help you can provide is much appreciated. My Bernina store is closed until Tues because the owners are at Bernina University so I can't even check with them.
Thanks!

What thread are you using? What bobbin thread are you using? What needle are you using?

I used King Tut on both top and bottom with a 90/14 topstitch needle as instructed at my Bernina Dealer before they left. I guess that does make a difference but I think I've had this issue before with Aurafil also.

I do not get loops but I have also had to fool around with my tension. It can even change each time I FMQ. I use 40wt King Tut and top stitch needle but I use 50 wt Masterpiece or So Fine or Bottom Line (60wt) for the bobbin. Try taking off the BSR and stitching without it. Is it still looping. Re thread, new needle, check bobbin, use new bobbin. Good luck.

You can also adjust the stitch length to just a little shorter, which I think looks a little better, when using the BSR. Get comfortable with adjusting your upper and lower tensions -- they're adjustable for a reason.

From Manitoba dumb z it may sound, look at instruction book see if needle is plug in shunt properly.. I got a headace trying for hours to figure out a loose thread issue only to finally pull out my book and find the needle was slide in wrong. Then, magic.. Maybe not the case but worth a try.

So when you adjust the bobbin after you've tightened the top tension you are loosening the bobbin tension right? And thanks for the tip on taking a pic to remember how to put it back. I think this just might work.

Take a picture of the final adjustment. This will be useful next time you use the BSR. When I first had my bernina used theBSR slowly over time I just use either the walking foot for straight quilting or darning foot for free motion. Why the change because I do less fiddling to adjust stitch when I begin quilting.

I would try doing a sample without the BSR.

I like to free motion quilt without the BSR. I just drop the feed dogs and loosen the tension. I always use test piece to check tension top and bottom and adjust until I like it!!!

So DON'T use the BSR? Really? I don't think I can keep my speed consistent. Won't it make my stitches long and short? I really thought the BSR was supposed to be a good thing, but I'll try it. Thanks!

I quit using my BSR. It was too slow and I had problems. As stated above, you have to play around with the tension on test swatch. I even test it between bobbins. I use a Microtex needle 90/40 and find they work much better.

I have taken several classes on how to use the BSR. Every instructor has recommended buying a second bobbin casing that you can adjust to be used for machine quilting only. They're expensive but was told that with two you can have one for piecing or regular sewing as repeated adjustments over time the threads on the screw get stripped. Has anyone else been told this as well?

I have had these problems on the bottom when free motion quilting with several brands of sewimg machines; sit down and DSM. I am always told by the dealers
that it is because I am sewing too fast. Can't get any slower. Frustrating.

I have a second bobin for my Janome 7700. It has helped but still have the problem at times. Been told to get a second bobbin for my SD so as not to mess up the original.

Also been told that it might be caused by the bobbin not being wound tight enough.

I don't know how the bobbin could not be wound tight enough if the machine does the winding. And who knew there were classes on the BSR? I don't think I've ever heard of that through my dealer. I'm going to fiddle around with the bobbin today and see what I come up with. I do have a second bobbin case so I'll try using that one and moving the screw. I was told it was for "thread play" so I wouldn't have thought to try it for this.

I've marked my bobbin tension screw to "factory settings" with a toothpick dipped in a bright nail polish. One dab on the top and bottom of the screwdriver line. Hasn't worn off.

I do better with my fmq when I plug in the foot without activating the BSR. I drop my feed dogs and adjust the foot pressure and do a trial patch. You soon learn to pace for the best stitch. Regulate the speed till you are comfortable and don't go too fast. Good luck.

I have a Bernina 730E. While using the BSR when free motion quilting, I had eyelashes when I rounded a curve. I called my Bernina dealer, he said it was because I was going too fast around the curve. My machine is usually set on 3.0 stitch length and 4.50 tension and use Organ needles size 14 for quilting. I buy them online, Missouri Star Quilt Co. There is a horn symbol that can be selected on my machine and only shows up when the BSR is plugged in. It shows up as red on the screen, when selected it turns blue. It bleeps when you're going too fast when using the BSR. Also, if you have the bobbin with the pigtail, you may want to try that. It's for quilting and embroidery, but I don't find I need it for quilting.

I love my BSR on my Bernina. This is what I do for my tension issues. I thread the bobbin thread through the little hole at the edge of the hook on the bobbin case. works like a charm.

Use King Tut on top, with a 90/14 top stitch needle and use Bottom Line in the bobbin. Using King Tut top and bobbin is way too heavy for the machine to work with.

Best of luck with all the suggestions. I have two Berninas. One of the selling points for the new one was the BSR. Now, I don't like it. With practice, practice PRACTICE, I've gotten smoother. Not perfect by any means, or even professional looking, but still better than what I produced using the BSR. I think it's a personal choice, like so much in art and craft is.