IS it the machine or the user?
 

I feel decidedly stupid at the moment. This week I realized that I don't know how to sew backwards with my machine. Can you believe it? I've had the Baby Lock Espire for quite a few years and most of the time, I set the tie-off button which is activated by touching the reverse button. This week I tried to do some backwards tie-off and it didn't work. I even got the manual out (and you all know how bad things must be for that to happen) but I can't figure out how to sew backwards with my machine. Have I really never had to sew backwards in all those years?

If anyone has any suggestions.......

I have had a BL Espire for a little over a month and I don't believe it really does a backward stitch like most machines--but--use the multidirectional sewing function, and you can go backwards all day long. (Or side ways or diagonally...)

You push the button that looks like a U with an arrow at the tip. It will reverse sew while being held down. I had the babylock espire before I traded it in for my dreamy and it does sew backwards.

Maybe something here will help:

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/453...r.html?page=43
http://babylock.com/ftp/whitepapers/...7BLSP-BLSR.pdf
http://www.nashuasewandvac.com/nsav/...ckRefGuide.pdf

I know how to sew backwards with my machine. Now if I could only get it to unsew.

I need that function too! :)

I have a baby lock espire. If you look at the quilting symbols for the stitch you want, if it has a "." it will do the locking stitch(sewing in place) if it has two vertical lines before the stitching lines, it will sew backwards when you press the little curved arrow button - the same one you use for the locking function.

So, look for the two stitches together at the top for reverse - a dot for locking stitch.

Hold the reverse button down for however many stitches you want to take, then release to go forward.

Reverse button acts differently according to which stitch you have chosen. If you have chosen the one that has a "." at the top it will only sew in place when you hold down the reverse button. If it has two vertical lines at top it will allow you to sew in reverse when you hold down the reverse button.

I knew I came to the right place. Thank you so much. Just holding the reverse button does not work - apparently I must go in search of stitches that have a "." at the top. YEAH - a treasure hunt. You ladies are the best!

Glad to help. Just play around with pushing the reverse button alternating between Q-01 and 1-01 stitches. You will be able to remember after that. Then play around with several of the stitches and see which ones reverse and which ones don't. Most of the Q- stitches stitch in place instead of reverse.

Glad you got it figured out.

Actually, your post kind of made my day!

If even the ones I know are intelligent get stuck now and then - I feel ever so much better about when I have a problem figuring something out!

There you go! Lol! Wouldn't we all line up for a machine with THAT feature!! :p

Tee hee! You made my day!

I too have a BL and tried old fashion back stitch the other day and had the same problem....and read the manual too and realized that little " trick" and I do not like that.... If I want to back stitch I should be able too! I guess another reason I do NOT like this machine and will be shopping at our county fair coming up......think I will go back to Viking....

I have a Baby Lock Ellisimo and they are only two or three stitches that can sew backward. I think they are straight stitch 3 and maybe one of the zig zag stitches.

It worked!!!! YEAH! Thanks a lot. Stitches that have a III above them tie off and stitches that have a dot above them go backwards. I am so happy. Now I have to look for reasons to go backwards.

LOL - happy backwards stitching!

I have never bothered to learn how to sew sideways. I know this machine does that but the only time I think I would need it is quilting the sandwich and not piecing and my machine gets cantankerous when quilting. My Juki does not care how thick the sandwich is, it will keep even stitch lengths but not my Babylock and the Babylock cost a whole lot more than the Juki.

Geri B,
Cant go wrong with the Viking. I'm excited to see what all they are bringing out in Sept.