I got my new Bernina out and played and played. I embroidered and tried to stipple. Even with the BSR I'm not ready to do it on a good quilt. I thought I was ready to at least stitch in a ditch. I have done this with my Singer and just a walking foot and had no problems. I tried the walking foot and it isn't anything to brag about because it wouldn't move the fabric on the bottom. So I tried the #10 foot , which was recommended by Bernina and the stitches are irregular and the top is loopy in spots. I am using regular bobbin thread on the top and Mettler thread on the top. I am going to have to take it all out. I gave my Singer to my daughter so I couldn't fall back on it. What am I doing wrong? With the Singer you do not adjust the tension anywhere. Do you need to with the Bernina? :-( :-(

Sorry to hear you're having problems and have to unsew.

I don't have a Bernina so I don't have any answers...just sympathy. Sorry

I'm sure someone will be around soon with suggestions.

Thanks! :cry:

I usually don't have to adjust the tension with my Bernina. I say re-thread. Your thread may have moved out from some where along they way.

When you finished free motion quilting did you put the feed dogs back up? (I tend to for get that.) That could cause all the mentioned problems. Sometimes mine don't go completely up when I first depress the button, so push it in and out a couple times.

If your feed dogs were up as they need to be for regular stitching, did you have the little lever arm thingy over the needle screw on your walking foot (which causes the foot to work correctly).

Also, re-thread your machine and make absolutely sure your bobbin is in the bobbin case correctly.

Once more thing, turn your machine off and back on (like rebooting your computer) and see if that helps.
If your feed dogs are up and your walking foot is installed correctly, then a call to the dealer might be appropriate.

Okay-- I will do all the above mentioned and try again an a "scrap" piece of fabric and batting. IF it doesn't help I will call the dealer tomorrow. Thank for giving me hope! :-o

Well-- I am in trouble again!!!! I ordered a design pack that is a Bernina Artista design pack. I just got it and it is a "card" My machine doesn't have a place to put this card. How do I use it?

Call the dealer. You might need some kind of attachment that takes a card reader to your machine. Not sure what you mean by card. If it is a CD then it must go in thru your computer or perhaps a stick to go directly into the machine.
It sounds like an older card system that required the intermediate gadget. consult the dealer or perhaps send an email to Bernina.

I have had so much trouble with this I almost wish I hadn't spent all that money on this "dream machine". :-( :cry: :cry:

Keep plugging along, someday you will look back at these days and smile ... really you will :lol: It does get better, it is just learning all the ins and outs and getting use to the new machine

I am sorry I cannot give you help with your exact problem but I can relate to having to get used to a new machine entirely, where everything seems new, at first you think you cannot do it, everything is in the too hard basket, and you want the old machine back which you new inside out! I gave my old manual machine to my daughter and I miss it as I could go a lot faster on it than having to look up all the instructions with the new one, which is SO different to my old machine.
Make sure you read your manual well and understand it, and that any attachments are the correct ones for your model of machine, and that they are attached in the correct way. Sometimes it is such a small thing which is overlooked which can put everything out, eg even threading the wrong way or using the wrong threads etc. I would call on your dealer if you have exhausted all these avenues. There are so many models out there even in the one brand of machine with various upgrades, not all are interchangable so you do need to familarise yourself with your particular model of machine and all that it is capable of achieving.
Gal

I'd say the same thing. Don't give up, Berninas are great machines, it is just a lot different to your Singer and will take time to adjust. When I got mine, I didn't even try to use the emb. module for 18 months, because there was so much to learn on the machine itself. Then, when I was really happy with how to use the machine, I took a one day workshop on the emb module and was away! I don't suggest you take that long, but perhaps a class on it might be a help. I have rarely altered my tension so if that was the problem, perhaps the dealer should have serviced it for you before you brought it home.

Hugs! I just got a new machine, too, and right now its just waiting for me to use it...LOL, its intimadating me!

I am so sorry you are having trouble. Don't give up, a Bernina is an awesome machine, but can be sort of intimidating. I just upgraded from a 440 to a 730 and even just upgrading caused me some stress because I knew the 440 in and out. I got her in March and there is no class until May...can hardly wait.

But back to your problem. Definitely see if you can get a class, it will make you feel a LOT better about your machine.
I don't know what model you have, but if your machine doesn't have a slot for the card, then, yes, you do need a card reader to get the design to your machine or computer. If you have to use EC on PC to link to your machine, you still need the card reader (also known as a magic box). When you use your computer with your machine, designs can be transferred by CD, downloaded to your machine from the internet, or by a jump drive (also known as a thumb drive). Just maybe, if you can't exchange the card, perhaps your dealer could transfer the designs from card to CD.

Bottom line is, your dealer should be able to, and should be willing, to talk you through all of this. My dealer has been my lifeline as I work to learn my machine until I can take the class (which is free with purchase and can take as many times as I want.)

Hang in there, you will be glad you did. PM me if you think I can help.

I hope you will take the above advice, and take a class asap. Berninas are great machines. I hope you don't give up on it. One more suggestion - I always calibrate my machine regularly, especially after I move it.

How do you calibrate it? Is this only for Berninas or others as well? I don't have a Bernina, only a BabyLock that I've had for 21 years. I am hoping to have it for many more years because I LOVE it. I would probably get a Bernina if my BL died.

How do you calibrate a Bernina? I just got a used 180E and don't know a thing about Bernina's.

If you can calibrate your Bernina, it will tell you how in the index under S - go to:

Set-up Program
Screen Calibration

call the dealer and tell them about all of your troubles

when stitching in the ditch do you start at top or the bottom. Message was posted on this topic but can't find it now. I hope someone understands what I am talking about.

I had my new Bernina for a week and just set it up 2 nights ago. It is intemindating right now, but I am sure after I take the first lesson, which comes with the machine (free of charge) I will feel more comfortable. There should be 2 free classes with the purchase of your machine. It even says that on the website. I would check with your dealer about the classes.
I must admitt, I have a Singer also, but the Bernina was so much easier to use when I sewed the binding on. It took half the time.
Give it a chance, and take time to get to know the machine. I did not buy the embroidary part, and it has some wonderful stitches.

I had my new Bernina for a week and just set it up 2 nights ago. It is intemindating right now, but I am sure after I take the first lesson, which comes with the machine (free of charge) I will feel more comfortable. There should be 2 free classes with the purchase of your machine. It even says that on the website. I would check with your dealer about the classes.
I must admitt, I have a Singer also, but the Bernina was so much easier to use when I sewed the binding on. It took half the time.
Give it a chance, and take time to get to know the machine. I did not buy the embroidary part, and it has some wonderful stitches.