Uneven quilting stitches - SITD
 

I never had this problem with my old Singer. I'm using the #50 Walking Foot with SITD guide plate that came with my Bernina 350PE.
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EDIT: The only thing that's different other than the machine is that I never quilted with 40wt thread on my Singer. I have used a red Aurifil 40wt before on this machine, but for FMQ. I've re-threaded the machine, tried changing the balance (which helped, but not enough) & have stitch length set for the recommended 2.2mm.

Is the quilt getting caught on the table or dragging a bit? That would be my first guess.

It's not getting caught on the table. Could be dragging a bit. I try to prop it up on my chest to keep it from dragging from the back, but I don't know. Maybe it's the small Bernina harp. Perhaps it's getting caught on the side of the harp space??? So frustrating. I almost never pull out quilting stitches, but have ripped out stitching lines 4x already. :(

set your stitch length a bit longer. You need the longer stitch to accommodate the extra layers caused by the batting. 2.2 (if that is your normal length) is set for two single layers of fabric.

I usually set mine to 2.5 when SITD. Make a small quilt sandwich and test your stitches.
If it's ok then you know the uneven stitches are caused by dragging. Give your quilt
some support all around.

Here's another thread about the same problem.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t102861-5.html

I agree with all the above comments. Make sure that the needle bar is hooked to the needle assemble. I usually use a 3.0 for my quilting stitches. When ever I set up my Bernina for machine quilting, I always run it thru a test sandwich first to make sure everything is set correctly.

Whenever that happened to me, it was because there was drag on the quilt. For quilting on a domestic machine, I think the "suspenders" idea is a great one for relieving all drag. Some people make their own out of PVC, but this is the commercial version: http://www.jennoop.com/suspenders.html . There are a couple of Youtube videos that demonstrate how it eliminates drag.

I notice in your photos that the stitch seems to go small as soon as you dip over the seam to what seems to me to be the "high" end of the seam, where the seam allowances are. It may be the change in layers that is triggering the problem. I agree with trying to lengthen your stitch a little.

I am also wondering if your machine has an adjustment for the distance of the presser foot from the feed dogs. Mine does not, but many machines do. There may be an issue with the presser foot being too close to the feed dogs for the number of layers you are feeding (or perhaps the opposite?).

I have had the same problem where the presser foot goes over a thicker than normal seam.

I have had this happen when there has been drag on the quilt. Sometimes "drag" doesn't feel obvious...it can just be a subtle shift in the weight of the quilt in an adjusted position. Once I started to pay more particular attention to where all my quilt was at each "re-positioning" I eliminated the problem. "Foofing" it up after repositioning and before re-commencing sewing helps to ensure light weight distribution.

I love Bernina machines, but you don't have good presser foot tension. That's how tight the fabric is squeezed between the feed dogs and presser foot. A few Bernina 350's are lacking in that area, and you can't adjust it. As a Bernina tech, I can't adjust it, either. It's sad.... You could ask your Bernina tech if they can call and talk to Hans and see if there's a solution.

Are you using the BSR? I would say something perhaps the thread is catching somewhere. I had a similiar problem with invisible thread not winding freely from the top thread and having the same problem.good luck

I know this is a serious problem for Bree123, but ruby2shoes "Foofing" made me laugh:)

Had the same problem. Changing the needle to a 90/14 solved the problem.

Is your machine in a sewing cabinet so the machine bed is flush with the table surface or are you using the extension base that comes with the Bernina? If the latter I would suspect the extension table is causing drag on the quilt. My machine is in a recessed cabinet but I have had this happen while piecing when I hit an area of bulk and the quilt did not feed through nice and evenly because the pressure foot got hung up on the bulk.

If you can't resolve the issue, it sounds like you will have to go back to quilting on your vintage machine.

When I put on binding, I put a chair next to my machine and table to hold up the bulk of the weight. Maybe that would also work for you - it is worth a try.

Thank you to all you wonderful people who've offered suggestions. I am trying them out as fast as I can. I built up more area around the extension table to help reduce any pulling, changed the stitch length to 2.5mm, pulled my quilt up the best I can (am hoping to get some elastic & hang from chandelier tomorrow) & all that has resulted in a slight improvement, but has not resolved the issue.

Feline, I suspect you may be right about the extension table being part of the problem. It's such a strange design -- not flat & not particularly smooth either. I bought an Ikea INGO table that I found an Ikea Hack for turning into a recessed sewing cabinet. I haven't started working on it yet, but maybe that needs to move up my list of priorities.

Annette, thank you especially for your feedback. Yes, I think that almost certainly is the problem. The photo I posted doesn't show it, but the irregular stitches show up regardless of where it falls on the seam. I think that the crooked seams are the result of the irregular stitches more than the other way around. I know it's a new machine for me, but I've been sewing for over 25 years. I haven't sewn such crooked seams in over a decade.

I also can't help but wonder whether that sole with the ditch guide on it is creating some of the problems. I'm going to try a regular sole on it & see if that helps. Unfortunately, I've been less than impressed with my Bernina dealer. Really wish I would've read the Yelp reviews before buying from them. On top of that, the 350 seems to be a dust bunny magnet. I have to stop every 90-125" of quilting, break thread & clean out my bobbin case. I'm using Aurifil thread & never ever had this issue with my old Singer machine. It's just ridiculous, but you can hear the machine sound change from the lint build up. I oiled my Singer machine once a week. Bernina says to oil their machines once a day & sometimes I end up having to double up on that because you hear that dreadful screeching sound. So far I am really unimpressed with this expensive new machine. Wondering if I would've been better off buying an old Featherweight. :mad:

I agree with 2.5 for stitch length.....when I use my w/f recommendation in directions say lessen the pressure foot from default of 4 to 3...... I presume because of additional thickness, the feet dogs at top and on w/f need that extra space o push that fabric sandwich thru....makes sense.......just another idea

I tried everything suggested & it helped some. Ended up switching to the open toe walking foot (no ditch guide) and it was night & day. I think that guide was creating drag & would drive me over the seam any time my pressing was not absolutely precise & perfect. With the open toe, the stitches are all perfectly even & my line is entirely in the ditch except for a couple tiny wobbles that really aren't noticeable until you're 6" from the quilt & looking for them.

Many thanks again to all of you!

Yes looks like something is holding fabric back or down not letting it glide through .