Bernina 830 thread tension

[Renata L.]

Hello everyone,
I'm wondering if anyone can help me with my problem. When I quilt a design on using 2 colors of thread ( in this case I have a burnt orange on top and black in the bobbin). hopefully you can see from the image, the bobbin black thread shows through to the top but not all the time. It's strange because I can do it one time and it doesn't show at all and the next time I do it, it shows. It's very inconsistent. Does anyone know what I can do to stop this from happening? Its almost like a sequence of events has to occur just right to prevent it from happening which I'm apparently doing by accident because I can't always repeat it and then it stops working again. I tried changing the needle and I've lowered my tension down to 2.0 which helped the most but as you can see from the image it's still coming through to the top in various places. If I go any lower on the tension it gets too loose. My dealer told me not to thread the bobbin through the small wire hook (when you use the mirror to get it through the clip). They said not to put it through there because it was too much tension. When I tried that it made it a lot worse. Then I was told it was digitizing, which doesn't make sense to me because I can use the same digitized design 10 different times and the problem happens 5 out of the 10 times. So I don't think the digitizing has anything to do with the problem. So I'm at a loss. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this machine it's been a dream! But working with 2 colors of thread has been my greatest challenge. I've exhausted everything I can think of short of standing on my head, pointing one foot north and one south, holding my breath and count to 10...

Barb

[Teri L.]

There is another way to adjust the bobbin tension, it's a little tool that will turn a screw or (star shaped) something similar to the left or right. try that one click at a time to just tighten it a little bit. See how it stitches. If that works great.
If not, I think this may be a speed issue as this looks like its happening in the same spots on the motif.
It also might be start/stops and that's a matter of practice.
Teri

[Margo C.]

Barb, it may be that it's not just a problem with the 830. Any time you use a top and bobbin thread that are really different values or colors, you will probably have some issues with "pokies". Bob Purcell (Superior Threads) says that "perfect" tension will show tiny dots of bobbin thread on the top and tiny dots of top thread on the back. It's no wonder that sometimes there will be a little more showing at times. That is why most long-arm quilters recommend using the same color on the top and the bobbin.

[Margo C.]

Terri/Margo, I always appreciate the insight. Since my original post I have discovered that this only happens when I quilt with the embroidery unit. When I quilt free motion I don't have the problem. I do see the tiny dots that Margo mentioned but they are perfectly distributed and you have to really look for them to really notice. So I'm beginning to think that quilting with the embroidery unit, the material is pulled slightly tighter in the hoop whereas it's much looser when doing free motion. I don't know if that has an impact but Terri, I will try the bobbin tension, that makes sense.
I just picked up my new quilt frame for the 830. Can't wait to get it set up and begin a new learning experience... ))

Thanks again for your help
Barb

[Teri L.]

Enjoy your quilt frame.
I think that having the quilt tight in the hoop would make a difference. I like to stop in the APQS booth any time I'm at a quilt show, sometimes I can see a friend who works for them. One of the gals said when loading the frame you want the quilt loose enough to "pinch an inch" anything tighter messes with the tension. I found when I hand quilted if the quilt was too tight in the hoop I had a hard time getting a consistent stitch.
The embroidery unit needs the quilt taut for what it does. Let me check with the local district manager and see if she has any tips.

[Teri L.]

Good information, thanks Teri!
Ah ha.... I try not to get it too taught in the hoop but I know I don't have it loose enough to pinch an inch, good info, I'll try that as well.

I'm chomping at the bit to use my frame but we found that my room isn't big enough to set it up and get around it... :cry:
So I'm crying because I have to put it in storage for right now until we can find another solution.

I'm looking forward to the AQS show in September. Last year I think I hit just about every long arm booth and played with every machine..LOL I'd love to eventually get a stand alone long arm but like my husband said, "This gives you something to start with, learn and keep you challenged. Once you master this it should make moving to a bigger long arm that much easier." So I have to say he's right, as usual, because as much as I'd love to have one it's a little intimidating right now.
Thanks again for your help.
Have a great day!

[Teri L.]

Does anyone have a suggestion for fixing the bottom tension on my NEW Bernina 830 LE. I have replaced the needle checked the size, threaded same thread on top and bobbin. The bottom seems too loose.

[Teri L.]

The first adjustment I would try is tightening the top tension, make small adjustments and see how it stitches out. Remember to make sure the presser foot is up as this releases the tension.
Then make sure you're threading the bobbin area correctly, there is a fine wire that the thread needs to go through. While you can see this pretty clearly on the screen its a little different on the machine itself.
If adjusting the upper tension doesn't work then adjust the bobbin tension. Try one click to the right to tighten the tension. There is a tool to tighten and loosen the tension.
Happy Quilting!
Teri

[Renata L.]

Not much to add to what Teri said so aptly. However, don't forget that you thread the bobbin differently if you are using the machine for embroidery v. regular sewing.

[Renata L.]

Thanks so much for the advice. I am looking forward to using this machine. I did re-thread the machine this morning and made sure to do so according to the step by step directions. Now if only I had time to just play and discover all of the things this can do!

[Teri L.]

Take your time with it. The Bernina USA website has great information. Your shop should have some classes. As you have questions that come up make sure and write them down to ask your dealer.
Watch the Bernina sites for software updates for your tech to do.

[Betty J.]

It took me a while to get the tension right on mine, but I found it really was my threading. You really have to pull a bit of thread through the bobbin to get it seated. I also found if I am using a very light weight thread, like bottom line, it really needs a click to tighten it or send it through the embroidery thread method. The top thread needs adjusting on mine for some of my threads. It works perfectly for 40 wt rayon embroidery thread and for "regular" sewing thread. But I have to say, I LOVE the machine. Wishing you lots of time to play with your new toy.

[Betty J.]

love that quote

[Betty J.]

I can't imagine anyone loving the Bernina 830. I was thinking of starting a support group! But I've decided to bring it back after Christmas and get something made by a different company. I cannot tell you how much I hate this machine and how much $$ it's cost me in time, aggravation and ruined projects. I'd like to sue the company, it's THAT bad!
Please don't think it's me or it's a learning curve, it is neither. It has had major surgery twice but it has never been right. Neverending error messages, it doesn't thread, it won't stay threaded, the tension is never right, embroidery come out terrible, quilting with it is a nightmare, even with the dual feed foot, the stitches are noticably uneven, it "freezes up", needing to be rebooted and loosing everything I've done so far. It comes down on it's own foot! breaking needles. This machine is a nightmare!

[Betty J.]

I can't imagine anyone loving the Bernina 830. I was thinking of starting a support group! But I've decided to bring it back after Christmas and get something made by a different company. I cannot tell you how much I hate this machine and how much $$ it's cost me in time, aggravation and ruined projects. I'd like to sue the company, it's THAT bad!
Please don't think it's me or it's a learning curve, it is neither. It has had major surgery twice but it has never been right. Neverending error messages, it doesn't thread, it won't stay threaded, the tension is never right, embroidery come out terrible, quilting with it is a nightmare, even with the dual feed foot, the stitches are noticably uneven, it "freezes up", needing to be rebooted and loosing everything I've done so far. It comes down on it's own foot! breaking needles. This machine is a nightmare!

Oh my Janet. My experience has been so completely opposite I can't imagine what is wrong with yours. Sorry it's been so bad for you. I wonder if Bernina would replace your machine if you communicated directly with them.