I am taking a class and am bringing my Bernina QE153 to use. I started with a new spool of thread and freshly wound bobbin. I admit I didn't try them at home before I left, but I have traveled this machine before and no problems.

This time I got all loopy bobbin threads. So iI turned the machine off and on and tried again. No. Then I used a different thread and bobbin and it worked fine. Went to do some blocks today and same thing, with the same thread spool and bobbin that had worked fine at the class.

This time I took the bobbin out, reseated it , moved the spool to a spool stand, wound a new bobbin(I had grabbed a prewound for quickness) and turned the machine off and on. Then it was fine.

Berninas aren't supposed to be this fussy are they? Should I travel it without the bobbin in place? Or does it sound like it needs a tune up. It's been a couple of years, but I haven't sewed all that much and I try to keep it de-linted, and I think it sounds ok? Any suggestions?

Maybe she doesn't like to leave her room.

I have to admit I don't travel with mine much as it is a heavy machine. I have a rolling tote for travel but still prefer to sew at home. I also have NEVER used a prewound bobbin in my Bernina, are you sure it is the right type bobbin for the machine? I have always been a bit leary of prewounds. When you had the trouble did you take out and clean behind the bobbin race? Sometimes a little piece of lint or thread can get trapped in there and cause problems. Good luck with this - hope you find a fix for it soon!

It should definitely travel better than that, but maybe something in the threading is sliding out of place while she's in transit. It seems likely to me that the thread issues might be caused by the upper thread being off-track, and simply re-threading the whole thing might do the trick.

I've traveled quite a bit (by car) with my Bernina and haven't had any issues. I usually do not have it threaded at all when transporting it.

The only time I use a prewound is when I am doing an embroidery on my machine. Most of them are 60 wt thread and that is to thin to piece with. Use at least a 50 when piecing or doing garment construction.

Hmmm. I think your problem is the prewound bobbins like someone said above. I thought I was told Berninas can't use prewounds.

My Bernina 1030 has been traveling for years, back and forth to craft fairs. Never had a problem, except for the time that the machine and I fell on the ice. She had her hand wheel jarred out of line, but was repairable. All that shows from that fall is a chip in one of the covers on the back.

I was also told not to use prewounds in my Bernina.

I was told by a teacher who had worked at Bernina UK to always put the needle down before travelling. It might be worth trying that if you have to take it anywhere again.

Thanks for your suggestions. She has traveled before and not been so fussy, but maybe she's aging like I am.

At home, she uses prewounds fine and I changed from a regular wind it myself bobbin to the prewound and she worked fine at the class.

I have thought about it and realized DH loaded her in her wheeled carrier on her back in the back seat. Horrors...maybe she got car sick?

Anyway, next time I'm going to unthread her and thread her fresh after we get to class, including a fresh bobbin. I am also going to try lowering the needle that sure can't hurt. I'll mention you are are concerned about her, maybe the attention will help.