should I stop using this thread?
 

I recently purchased a Bernina sewing machine. When I went for lessons on how to use all the special stitches, the woman there told me not to use the thread I had in the machine. I use Essential Thread which I purchase from Connecting Threads. She said that the thread is not wound on the bobbin correctly and that the tension would not be correct. I have been using this thread for a few years on my Brother sewing machine and it seems to be okay. Has anyone had problems with this thread? Should I ignore what she said and continue to use it? I have a lot of spools of it because I don't have a store near me where I can buy thread. Thanks.

You got some replies to this question in your previous thread here:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t197236.html

I use Essential thread for almost all my piecing. I have a Bernina 153QE and a Janome Horizon and I've not had any tension issues on either machine while using this thread. I actually like it better than Gutterman's and some other more expensive threads.

I frequently use that thread on my Bernina.

My Bernina is not the least bit fussy about what thread I use...fat, thin, natural, synthetic, metallic, expensive, cheap, old, new, foreign or domestic. That said, I don't use CT thread because it's too linty for my liking. My guess is that the sheriff said not to use it because she doesn't sell it.

I have used the Essential thread on my Bernina with no problem...I think she would like you to buy thread from her. I would keep using it unless you do find a problem with it...and be sure to regularly clean your machine for lint.

I would think she is looking for a sale with you. I would listen to the experienced ladies on this board. They have tried and true advice.

I don't understand the statement "not wound on the bobbin correctly". If she means the cone = I would assume all thread is wound the same way. The only thing to listen to about the use of thread is your machine. If it doesn't like it it will certainly tell you so. Now having said that....some threads do lint more and require more attention to cleaning the bobbin and feed dog areas.......other than this........use whatever works.

This is somewhat like when i tell quilters about the "left handed needle" I have invented.

As long as the stitches look good, you aren't getting too much lint in the bobbin and feed dog area, and it isn't breaking often, you are probably okay. I don't particularly like the brand that Bernina recommends. I prefer Isacord. It's slick. What I particularly like about it is that if I have to take out something I sewed, it pulls out very nicely. I agree that the person may have been hoping to make a sale.

I have a Bernina, and use connecting threads thread all the time. I love it and so does my Bernina!!

She told you that because the shop doesn't sell that thread. Dealers will tell you not to use anything they don't sell. Use the thread that your machine likes no matter what brand it is. My Bernina sews great with all brands of thread.

I agree Prism. Exact same question and only 3 total posts from this person. What's up?

So a post is a duplicate, why would it be an eyebrow raiser for anyone? It's easy to get double postings when you are new to the board and trying to learn how it's done.

Same here...its the only thread i use, cant beat the price, and i have never had a problem in my Bernina

I recently went to a demo on the Bernette Deco 340. The Bernina rep said the same thing about using pre-wound bobbins! She said the machine winds them at the right tension. The pre-wound bobbins may or may not be wound correctly. In fact, she told me that if you take your machine to be serviced and they find out you're using pre-wound bobbins, they may void the warranty!

Interesting, especially since Bernette is not made BY Bernina...they're made FOR Bernina. To the best of my knowledge, Bernette sewing machines are actually manufactured by Janome while Bernette sergers are made by Juki.

I think that the only thread you should not use in the machine is hand quilting thread as it has a coating over it which interferes with the tension discs. Try out any thread and make your own mind up is my view. I use everything except the really cheap quality as it annoys me when it breaks often.

http://www.quiltuniversity.com/difficult_threads.htm

Perhaps the sales person was referring to the way the thread is wound at the factory and which way the machine holds the spool. Check out the link second paragraph about how spools are wound.

When I purchased my Bernina 18 years ago...they told me not to use anything but Sulky thread in it. I cannot use that thread it breaks and breaks and breaks. I use anything else without a problem. I guess one problem is supposed to be the lint of the thread will collect under the plate, but I clean regularly and have never had a problem.

I use ET on my Pfaff with no tension problems. It is very linty though and I have been gradually shifting to Aurifill. I use it only for piecing, it doesn't work well for FMQ.

If you like it and it doesn't cause tension problems, use it. I was told the same thing when I went to a class on my new Pfaff. I have ignored their advice and have used what I had at home.

I have 2 Berninas and neither one has ever complained about any thread I have ever used and I have used many different ones.

I use Coats and Clarks dual duty on all my machines even my Viking. It works just fine even on my Baby Lock Jane on my long arm table. It is the one you buy at Joanns. I use a coupon when everything else is on sale.
I tried other brands some expensive and Connecting Threads, (it is linty). But at the price of C&C its the best for me.
I have learned to use the same thread in the bobbin and on top. It makes a difference.

Well yeah 3 total posts, they have only been a member since June---does it make a difference how many posts they've had? Perhaps they forgot they asked the question

This may be the most correct answer, assuming she was talking about the bobbin. I even had a bobbin wind incorrectly on the machine I was using it on; I didn't pay attention when the thread slipped out of the guides so it wound really sloppy. This was in a class and the instructor caught it before I did. She made a similar comment. I also tried winding bobbin thread for my Brother embroidery machine on my regular Brother sewing machine and that didn't work well. Same bobbin, same winding method, different tensions for the different machines.

There is undoubtedly nothing wrong with the thread itself, but your bobbin may not be wound correctly for your machine.

I've never had any problems with the Essential Threads which I started using about 2-3 years ago. I use them in my new Viking sewing machine; I like them as well as many other brands I have used. I took advantage of a recent 30% off sale and picked up about 40 spools in various colors. It's great thread!

I have a Bernina 580 and a Viking Diamond and neith one is trouble by the thread. Perhaps the instructor is just trying to boost sales?

Being a "sewer" for nearly 60 years, I have bought a lot of thread. The only problem I have had with any of it was when I started to make a quilt for my gs. I decided this was a chance to use up some of my odd/ends thread. BIG MISTAKE. Some of the tread was really old, had been exposed to sun light, etc. After the quilt was all done, I gave it to my dgs, who was about 16 at the time. He loved it, and put it on his bed. THEN one by one the seams all began to come apart. I have spent many hours hand stitching that quilt. I now only use FRESH thread!!!

What I don't understand is why you would post the same thing, question; again, just worded a bit differently! How many answers to this question do you want? This is strange to me.
Judy

This sort of dealer talk is seemingly common. Who knows why. Use the thread you have - if you have problems, try something else. I use all sorts of threads on all my machines and I have some Essential thread as well. If something doesn't seem right, you can try another lighter thread int he bobbin, such as Masterpiece fro Superior threads, or something else and see if the machine likes that better, knowing you need to tweak tension from time to time as you change thread. Good luck, and happy sewing. :)

Maybe because she doesn't know how to get to the board directly and doesn't know how to find her original post?

Thanks. I didn't see that.

First off, I don't believe for a minute that Prism was being critical of the OP. It's just not her nature. I believe she was uniting the two threads so the OP could see the answers from both without getting lost.

Secondly, double posts happen around here all the time and I've never seen anyone attacked for it before. The OP is new and just learning her way around. Her question was a good one and probably wondered by many other new machine owners as well. Give her a break, huh?

Hey - go for it. If you try it and it works fine, then you have an acceptable thread for your machine. Beware of too many rules. Learn what rules apply to you and your machine. If it works fine, it is fine.

Did she mean that bobbin was not wound correctly? I'm guessing she wanted you to buy thread there.

Try it and see if you like it. She may just not like the thread or maybe wants you to buy hers. I got some after there was a thead posted on here from someone saying high lint and colors fading onto fabric. I emailed Connecting Threads and said they stand behind their thread and haven't heard of any fading. So it seems to me if I'd gotten thread and it was fading I'd contact the company and get replacement. I got the thread and while I haven't used that much of it since I've been doing a lot of embroidery I don't have any problems with what I have used. I had also bought the really big cone for my piecing and haven't had any problems with that either. If you don't see a problem with the tension then don't worry about it.

my Bernina does not really care what thread it gets, just as lone as it gets 'something'....I do like Superior Thread as I think I get less lint in my bobbin case....."some" of the real less expensive threads will sometimes give you more lint....just means you have to clean more often....

Along with double post, I've posted before and went back to see what was said and couldn't find the post until much later. I thought it had gotten deleted or that I forgot to save. There are times when I've seen the post but worded differently; just like there are 101 or more post on the Accuquilt cutter where someone could of did a search first and gotten all of the info they needed. Especially, when you are new it's hard to know how to do it all but I've seen the same things that I've just mentioned from some that have been around a while. It's not like we are wasting paper by writing it more than once and if you see a post and it basically says the same but in a different way and it's from the same person, then don't click on the link and you can cruise right by it if you want. There are more answers this time so maybe the last post didn't have a lot of readers before it got burried by the post that had alot.

I was so excited to find this board. I was excited to be a "quilter". I popped right in and shared my new discoveries. Frixxion Pen was one. There are probably so many threads about everything. Many of you may have seen and done everything, but remember when you were new!

I know now to look through the posts to find what I am looking for, but don't disparage the new posts about anything. I always click on anything that says "help".

Please don't discourage newbies coming here for help in any way.

A few words of guidance versus a few words of ennui?

My machine serviceman advised me to discontinue using it. Said this particular thread is bad for the bobbin winding mechanism in my machine. I have quite a few spools that I'm saving to use when I buy a new machine .... maybe.

For the first year my Bernina acted up horribly. Finally I bought Gutermann cone thread for top threading and now my machines purrs. I only wind my own thread. I'm too afraid to try pre-wound bobbins. My machine is very picky when in comes to thread. When I have the right thread in it, it makes all the difference in the world. And I can't use spools, I have to use cones for some reason. But I'm just happy I finally figured it out and it's working great!