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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 10-25-2005, 11:33 AM (1 of 6)
This lady emailed me with this problem. Please post if you can help her out.

Hi Mary, my name is Elizabeth and Im a beginner quilter. I have a
Bernina 830 and right now I am having trouble sewing on it, its not
even sewing a stitch. Ive played with the stitch length knob and
rethreaded it and even redid the bobbin, I can't figure out why I cant
stitch at all. Do you or anyone else in your circle know anything
about Bernina's? thank you. Any help would be so great.

Elizabeth.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: paroper
Date: 10-25-2005, 12:04 PM (2 of 6)
Well, the needle/theads and hook are not meeting. I guess that I'd first start with the needle. Most Bernina machines that I have used have the flat portion of the needle facing the back of the machine and it goes all the way up inside the shaft. Some other brands of machine have the needle go to the side, if you have a manual, check to see about yours. If you open a door in front of you and the bobbin case is looking at you there is a strong case for the flat portion of your needle going to the back...although this is a very popular machine and was often used in classrooms, I have never had the priviledge to sew on this fine machine...so I can only guess. You can use a Schmetz needle and be in pretty good shape in terms of length, etc.

The bobbin has to be the right size. You really need to make sure that it is a Bernina bobbin that was made for your machine. Bobbins come in all kinds of sizes and depths. Both of my current machines take a different type of bobbin and I cannot purchase one exactly like them anywhere but from Bernina. The 830 is a popular machine and Bernina will have a good bobbin for you. If it is not the right one, the thread will either not meet in the right place or it will rattle or make other strange noises and not sew properly. Check your manual and make sure that the bobbin thread is seated in the correct place and going the right direction. If neither of these things help, I stongly suspect that your timing is off and it needs a professional adjustment.

Here is a link where you can go to check for parts and parts numbers for your machine (including manuals and bobbins)

http://www.berninausa.com/browse4b.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=253437430211857 3&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181831&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673231833&bmUID=1130256030982

Here is another link where you can go and post questions on the Bernina message board. There are many Bernina users (including 830 users) on this board. I would suggest the general (or quilting) section for your questions. You will need to choose an ID and password to post here, but it is not big deal and there is no charge to belong (you also won't receive any extra e-mail from it unless you ask).

http://www.berninausa.com/browse2_messageboards.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25 34374302025095&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181831&bmUID=1111840319781

HOpefully we'll have you sewing in no time!
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: plrlegal
Date: 10-25-2005, 06:15 PM (3 of 6)
Just a quick guess but it sounds like the feed dogs have been dropped and need to be brought back up again. I don't own a Bernina but I do own a couple of machines that have the drop feed dog feature and when the feed dogs are down, they won't sew at all.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: misstwoshoes
Date: 10-25-2005, 11:50 PM (4 of 6)
I do have an older Bernina and I just dropped the feed dogs and it won't sew.
Hopefully that is your problem.
Artie Ann
User: misstwoshoes
Member since: 10-02-2005
Total posts: 17
From: paroper
Date: 10-25-2005, 11:52 PM (5 of 6)
That's certainly worth a check and should be easy. The newer models (since at least 92) will allow you to drop your feed dogs and freehand quilt or whatever, but I don't know about the older ones...good idea, Patsy. Both of my Bernina machines have a feed dog button or lever on the right end of the machine near the bottom (just in case you don't have a manual.) Again, I don't know about the older models.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: Tom Land
Date: 11-12-2005, 07:55 PM (6 of 6)
If you mean that the fabric won't move it could be your feed dogs are down as others have suggested. If the machine has not be serviced for somtime it could be that the feed mechanism is binding, just needing cleaning and oiling ( while the machine is running look and see if the feed dogs are moving back and forth).
If you mean the upper thread is not catching the bobbin thread the first thing to check is the needle. Next the threading(make sure the thread is in the take-up lever). If none of these work you probably need to take the machine in.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
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