Decorative Stitches - help needed

[Jo B.]

I have a question on decorative stitches. I have a 440QE. After watching Pat Holly on show 608, I decided to make a reference library of the decorative stitches (the card that came with the machine, although helpful, doesn't show what the stitches really look like). I starched my 2.5 x 3.5 fabric well and also put a strip of stabilizer in back for further support. I used the applique foot. Many of the stitches looked like the machine skipped a stitch or two down the 3.5 strip affecting the whole look. Then there were a few that just did a straight stitch ignoring the pattern altogether. I must say that the ones that worked correctly look great. Does anyone have an idea on why this happens. I hesitate using these wonderful stitches in anything important. Thanks. Jan

[Barbara L.]

Jan,
I just took a 3 day class at Superior threads which was terrific by the way. Try to reduce your top tension to 1-2. Depending on your thread choice the tension will need to be reduced. All machines are set up for garment sewing. In addition, have you added a piece of light tear away stabilizer under the fabric. That should probably help also.

[Barbara L.]

Thanks Bunny, I will try adjusting the tension. I used the tear-away stabilizer without success. I just got done trying freezer paper ironed on and that does help. Only an occasional skip. The straight stitches on a decorative pattern still occurs on some of them. I will keep trying. Thanks again. Jan

[Paula D.]

Put in a fresh needle. That should help.

[Annis C.]

I don't know this machine, but some of the older machines have a + or - adjustment called balance that might help. I remember using this years ago for decorative stitches. It's a knob on the side on my Bernina 150QE and on buttons in the front on my Bernina 1080.

[Judy M.]

I have a 435 and played with each of my stitches using a stabilizer when I first purchased my machine. I never had any skipped stitches. I would try all the suggestions made here and if that doesn't help, take the machine in for service.

[Linda H.]

You said you used the applique foot. Is it the open toe applique foot? If so, I'm guessing that's the problem and it makes sense when you said the freezer paper worked better than the soft stabalizer. The open toe foot doesn't keep the fabric firm enough to form some of the stitches. The freezer paper helped do that so less problems. If you are using a foot with the bar in it than I'm guessing it has to do more with tension and the size of needle combination.