Bernina straight stitch needle plate? Chewed up stitches, yuck!
 

Hello lovely ladies. Does anyone out there know if bernina makes a straight stitch needle plate? My machine is the 350 patchwork edition. I've combed the web and it doesn't look too good. I might call bernina or my dealer. I'm asking bc whenever I piece the fabric bunches up every time I start a new stitch and its driving me crazy. I need some relief from the chewed up fabric! I've hear you can just put tape over the zig zag throat plate but wanted to know what your experiences are.

Just wondering, have you tried gently pulling on your threads, bobbin and top thread, as you start your first few stitiches? Pull gently on the threads behind the needle and it should quit "eating" your fabric. Sorry, don't know if Bernina has the stitch plate. I have a Pfaff and do use the straight stitch plate but sometimes still pull on my threads to get started.

I found after 20+ years of sewing that using small pieces of cloth to begin and end (and leave until the next seam) really helps with this issue. Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.com calls them leaders and enders and has precut pieces ready that are then used in another quilt. I am not that organized but the theory is good. I find the beginning and ending of the seams are much neater also.

I have a straight stitch throat plate for my Bernina 440QE. I don't remember whether I purchased it separately, or it came with the machine. However, if you're having constant problems, there are several things to consider. Be sure your needle is sharp and that it's the right kind of needle for your fabric. Follow the directions suern3 gave, and also sew with a leader.

I bought my straight stitch plate and I HAVE A 440QE

Just hold the tails of the threads as you start this will stop the threads from being pulled in by the feed dogs. It makes a world of difference. I also have used a scrap piece as a leader, but holding the threads works great too.

I def do try to hold the threads but sometimes it happens even then. I might try the leader piece. I even tried a piece of tape and it was just a wee bit...ok, majorly...futile.

When was the last time you changed your needle?

i routinely use these as well.

New needle or not, same thing. Sometimes I just don't start at the very edge of the fabric but it can be very frustrating.

If your 350PE is from the new 300 series line, then yes there is a straight stitch plate. If you have an older 350, I would have to do some research for you. Let me know.

I had a 180e and I purchased a single hole plate for it. I'm not familiar with your machine, but if it does wide stitches (I think 16mm) then the hole is larger and easy for the fabric to get sucked in.

I have a straight stitch plate for my Bernina Artista 200. I bought it recently. If you get one, be sure to remove it before you do decorative stitches. I forgot to change my stitch plate once. Of course it broke the needle; but it also did over $200 damage to the machine.

Hi Patti, I just bought it last year. If you know anything, please let me know! THank you!

Some machines are just hungry. Eating starts is one of the reasons I say my Elna can't quilt. HSTs were especially bad. Not are zigzag machines are that bad. I hope you can find a SS plate.

I had the same problem with a Janome this winter. I was already doing leaders and enders and holding onto the thread behind the needle to no avail. Straight stitch plate didn't help. Changing to a new needle didn't help. Almost drove me crazy...until someone asked me what size needle I was using. I'd thought the size I was using was the right one for piecing cotton, but apparently it wasn't. Changed to a different size and the machine stopped gobbling fabric. I do still use leaders/enders, though :). Good luck-I know just how you feel. Be sure to let us know what solves the problem for you.

I just bought a 350 and it didn't come with a straight stitch plate - will check with my dealer to see if I need to get one. Mem brings up an interesting point about the needle - never thought of that issue but I can see it could cause the problem.

Both plates came with my Bernina(630E Artista). I am sure you could find one if you have a dealer near. Also have one for my Mother's older Bernina that I inherited...still going strong after all the constant use she put it through!

I have a straight stitch plate for my Bernina. Check with your dealer. I have found that the straight stitch plate does help when piecing.

My Bernina came with a straight stitch plate and a wide stitch plate. I've dinked around on Google and found sites that sell all parts to all kinds of sewing machines. Just type in Google what you are looking for and i'm sure you'll find it. Be sure to say "for sale" in the Google search engine. Like Bernina straight stitch plate for sale. You'll find it!

My Bernina is ~20 yrs old. The owner's manual doesn't have anything about this issue. Is there anything in your owner's manual?

This is purely a guess: could this be a timing issue, or a setting for where the needle stops. The thread take-up should stop just past the uppermost position.

Try a pig, bunny, what ever,ie a small piece of throw away fabric same thickness as project to start on the slip onto the project. Stops that chewing of project. You can also give it a little unprofessional pull. Hope this works cheaper than a new plate. When get to end run onto another piece ready for next .

Looking at my bernina ' the new quilting book and found a picture of a straight stitch plate. It has a red warning decal which serves as a reminder not to use zigzag. So get in touch or google for a bernina straight stitch plate and see what happens. Good luck.

I have a Bernina straight stitch needle plate (just a hole) but I learned a long time ago how to avoid the fabric or threat from bunching up. For me the easiest is to just hold onto the thread for a second, until you start sewing. Then its fine, not gobbled up. Others prefer to use a small piece of fabric to start on every time you begin to sew. Good luck!

I love using the leaders/enders but YES Bernina does sell a straight stitch plate for all of their machines.

My Activa was doing this. Drove me crazy. I dialed down the pressure and it stopped!!! I don't know if your machine has a pressure adjustment or not but it would be worth a try if it does.

I agree, I use a starter fabric when piecing and don't have a problem with the fabric getting down in the feed dogs or bobbin case!!!!

Hmm, interesting suggestions, ladies. I knew I could count on you. I will certainly try these and keep you posted. I might still try to find a straight stitch plate. I heard they're good with knits and sometimes I like to sew with those, even though they're a nightmare. :)

I feel your pain, I hate when that happens. I don't even have a Bernina, I have a Janome and it happens to me too. I don't like using leaders and enders because I don't typically chain piece so it's definitely a pain. I sometimes just start right on the edge and go ever so slowly until it gets past the hole. I have an automatic thread cutter so pulling the threads back is great if you don't, but not so much if you do. I hope you find your single stitch plate.

I have a small hole plate for my Berninas. I don't know if I purchased it separately or not. It does help when piecing or sewing narrow things like bias binding straps on Princess Pillowcase dresses. Call or e-mail a dealer for the price and availability. It will come in handy in many cases.

I have a Bernina 163 and I have two throat plates, one is the straight stitch throat plate and I LOVE IT. Wouldn't piece a quilt without. I also have a Viking Sapphire and a Lily 550. I'm looking for straight stitch throat plates for both of them.

Today, while at the Bernina Dealer, I asked them this question. Response: it could be that the machine needs cleaning and oiling. If lint gets back into the area of the bottom of the machine, it can't be seen, but can cause a lot of problems. The other most common problem is, in fact, the timing and where the needle stops. So their recommendation is to have it professionally cleaned, oiled and timed.

Ps. If you google for the single hole you should find one it has a red part to show you it has a single hole. I'm not convinced this will help. Try setting everything to its normal and retry. If you have grandchildren have they fiddled .
Pleas try heig it does help.c

My straight stitch plate was $53 from the local Bernina dealer about a year ago, just to give you an idea on price.

I have a Bernina 1230 and it did the same thing - I started using the leaders and enders which solved the problem. I just figured it was the machine until I got my Babylock Quilters Pro midarm - which does not require a leader/ender and does not chew the fabric. Not sure why but I will take it.....

It has driven me batty! I am going to pick up the single stitch plate today, and see how that works. It's also newly oiled and newly needled. I haven't really played around with the tension on this machine but ill look into that too. It's always been set at the regular 3 setting. Do you guys find that tension can really vary that much if you're just using standard quilting fabric? Nothing fancy, nothing heavy or light? Normal unexciting Gutermann thread?