BSR help

[Liberata T.]

My instruction book that came with the BSR said to move the tension on the presser foot so I did and maybe that is why I had no trouble. It is an amazing little tool for sure! Elizabeth

[Liberata T.]

Well I checked both the manual that came with the BSR foot and the manual that came with the 630. Neither of them said a word about the tension. I went over the procedure for using the BSR at the dealer and I don't remember anything said there either.

This forum is worth the price of a membership.

Thanks all

[Liberata T.]

I recently did one of the best classes ever. It was all about using my BSR. A few things that we learned in this class were some other reasons your BSR might skip stitches.[list]
The BSR (supposedly) does not like the use of basting sprays.

It is very important to check the stability of table that you have your sewing machine on. If it is a bit unstable, you are probably getting some vibration. The BSR will actually read that vibration and skip stitches.

The red BSR light is what is reading your motion. It definately skips stitches when it has to read the edge of the fabric. To avoid this use your needle down feature and turn your fabric so the laser eye is never reading off or near an edge.

I have also heard that there are colors of fabric that the BSR does not read well such as white on white.[/list:u]

I am relatively new to this, but I love, love, love my BSR.

[Liberata T.]

It's all these little tips and tricks that individuals find out or learn through trial and error that prompted me to ask for a TQS segment or a classroom on BSR. Of the 30k members there must be many more than those of us who frequent the forums who have a love/hate relationship with their BSRs.

As for me, BSR and I were getting along nicely and then we began to have a disagreement. :evil: Maybe "he" didn't like my choice or colors or thread or design. We decided to have a time out. :wink:

I adjusted the table, cleaned everything, new needle. We begin again.

[Liberata T.]

Sometimes I feel frustrated because my machine is smarter than me.

[Liberata T.]

OK, I usually don't post in succession but Mr. BSR and I have had a parting of the ways this afternoon. I sent him to his box and told him to think over his future as part of this workshop :x . I've done everything I can think of and everything everybody told me to try and he doesn't seem to be able to make three stitches in a row. So I took out Miss 29 Clearfoot to see what she could do. At least I'd know if the stitches were uneven, it was pilot error. If the stitches skipped, it was another problem and not Mr. BSR's fault.

Well, well, we were going along just fine. Maybe C- to B- level when I heard a clunkity clunk clunk. That means big mess on the underside. Yep, I forgot to adjust the tension after setting it to near 0 for Mr. BSR. ops: Luckily this quilt gets a second backing because of all the hand beading and embellishment that gets layered on next.

I know it is sexist to designate the troublesome gismo as Mr. but it is a long story associated with DH, who LOVES his techie stuff whether it works or not. :wink:

[Judith T.]

My expensive toy just sits in the box, too. :roll: I have tried to use it and have practiced and have moved the tension down to 1.5 but my stitches aren't even. I guess I have to practice moving my fabric at an even pace. Some of my stitches are longer than others and when I go around a curve, whoooooooooooo. :? Judy in AZ

[Judith T.]

I have found that in order to get even stitches with the BSR I need to go much slower than I do when freemotion quilting without the BSR. I am certainly no expert on either method but when I have my 440 set to beep when I get to fast it is a much slower pace.

Debra

[Margo C.]

One more tip for better stitch quality. Whether you are using a BSR or not, it's always a good idea to use a single needle throat plate when doing free motion quilting. When you use the zig-zag throat plate the fact that you are moving the fabric in all directions means that the top thread is not always lined up correctly for the bobbin race to catch it and make a stitch.
Like Alex said, there is still a learning curve with the BSR, but it's definately shorter than without it.

[Patti P.]

Well Libbi I echo the desire for a TQS detailed segment on the BSR or maybe the Bernina videos could make one more detailed. I never got the hang of it either and now I can't get the red light to go on at all. I never had my new machine owner class but jjust recently got a voucher for one so hoping for the best.

[Patti P.]

When I first started FMQ, I was taught to put the motor speed at 3/4 and then full pressure on the foot pedal. I can't seem to get away from using my foot, so I use BSR 1. If I use the same concept and use my hands naturally, the stitches are much better - you may want to speed up a little to see what happens. Also, my dealer recommended stitch length 2.0 when first learning and it seems to be the best for me. Finally, I keep some scraps and "warm up" for about 5 minutes before working on the quilt - seems to help get into the ruthm of things. I'm a rookie quilter and am really pleased with the BSR - even have some quilts with written words all over them that are very consistent and know I could not have done it without the BSR! Keep practicing and good luck!

[Betty J.]

I am sort of new to my BSR also, but I have had wonderful luck setting up my machine this way: Tension is at 2, stitch length is only 1.1 to 1.5. I use a titanium embroidery needle--size depending on thread weight. I use the bobbin case with the sprig on it usually used for embroidery. I use the straight stitch hole plate and also put a super slider underneath, and here's something I discovered recently--I use BSR1 and the foot pedal to run it. I found the open metal foot was the easiest to see things with. It all made a wonderful result. It was NOT as happy when I first got "him", but we have made our "piece" and now we are partners. Hope this helps. :lol:

[Betty J.]

I went to a BSR class today and found that my big problem with my BSR is the seamstress. I had been moving my fabric way too fast and much too jerkily! She suggested the Supreme Slider and that I learn to "go with the flow". She didn't say much about tension, thread, any of that and just emphasized practice, practice, practice.
She stressed Mode 1 for doing angles and points. One big problem I had was not relaxing my shoulders--her advice use your whole body from the waist up.

[Charlene F.]

There are a couple other strings here with info on the BSR under Bernina that might be helpful to look over. Mode 1 QEE and Stitch Regulator are two specifically addressing the BSR.

When I first got my 440, I thought that one mode was for when you use the foot petal and the other for the start / stop button. Imagine my surprise when I learned from a newbie who took a class that you can use the foot petal with either!

Libby Lehman explains the two modes as Mode 1 = Run and Mode 2 = You. Mode 1 the machine runs continuously good for stipple or stitch curved lines. Mode 2 is good when you stop often or are stitching points.

Charlene

[Charlene F.]

There are a couple other strings here with info on the BSR under Bernina that might be helpful to look over. Mode 1 QEE and Stitch Regulator are two specifically addressing the BSR.
Charlene

Thanks Charlene,
There is some great info about the BSR on those threads. Elizabeth :lol: