Bobbin Genie in an 8 Series machine

[Marianne G.]

I keep hearing about the wonderful results from using Bobbin Genies and I just finished watching a video where Sharon Schamber recommended them. I have a Bernina 820 and I'm wondering if I can use a Bobbin Genie in the unusual bobbin case of the 8 Series machines. If so, do I get the regular size or the size for the M bobbins in a long arm. The 8 Series bobbins are bigger than a standard bobbin but I don't know how they compare with an M size bobbin. Any advise would be appreciated!

[Renata L.]

I wrote to one of the well-known FMQ artists who do a lot of online video instruction and sells the bobbin genie about using it in the Bernina 830 and they said yes (she did not own an 830); HOWEVER, when I went back to a Bernina specialist and asked about it, they told me it was a no-no. I have an 830 and frankly, I found that I get the same results by putting a net over my thread when needed (like with ISACORD thread--polyester), AND thread the bobbin for embroidery. With Bottom Line in the bobbin, sometimes I have to tighten my bobbin one notch (one click to the right). I have not felt the need for the bobbin genie. I have experienced the bobbin genie when using my sister's 440 and it's nice there, but there are other ways of avoiding bird nests on the back of your quilt without the bobbin genie with your 820. Hope this helps.

[Renata L.]

Thank you, Renata, for your quick and helpful reply! It is very helpful indeed! I don't really have a specific problem that I am looking to solve, just wanting to do whatever might help me move toward the elusive " perfection". I am relatively new to FMQ but I'm fairly happy with my results so far. However, there always seems to be some aspect that could be improved upon. I usually use 100% cotton in top and bobbin, typically Masterpiece or Aurifil. I did try Bottom Line in the bobbin and I don't remember exactly what the problem was but it was disastrous. Perhaps I should try it again with lower tension. I just keep hearing from "experts" about the Bobbin Genies so I thought maybe I should give them a try. I think I'll pass on them, at least for now. Thanks again, Renata!

[Rita C.]

I was also curious about the bobbin genie some time ago and Ritzy kindly sent me a few spare ones because she didn't think they helped with her machine particularly, as I recall. However, I found that they didn't seem to make a lot of difference on my Janome Horizon either. As to Bottom Line in the bobbin versus Aurifil 50wt cotton - I think that Bottom Line works particularly well with the polyester threads like Superior Rainbows and monofilament thread. At least that is what I have found. Hope that helps Lynn, and it's nice to see you again.

[Renata L.]

Interesting thought, Rita, about the kinds of threads that do well with Bottom Line versus Aurifil 50 wt (my two go to bobbin threads). Recently, I kept getting a thread shredding problem with Sulky 40 weight... I had Bottom Line in the bobbin. Frankly, I thought the problem was upper thread tension or perhaps the needle (my mantra is always "TNT" (thread, needle, tension). I played with the tension, I changed the needle to three different types and still had shredding. WELL, after all THAT! :evil: , I I changed the bobbin thread from Bottom Line to Aurifil 50 wt and it made a world of difference--no more shredding. I had also played with slowing down the machine speed, but to no effect. So, I wonder whether the Bottom Line was too strong a thread for Sulky which is rayon and it responded better to a cotton in the bobbin? Any thoughts out there?

[E.M. T.]

I've use sulky rayon some and find that it will shred very easily prob'ly from all the reasons mentioned.
I'm not replacing it as I use it up as there are better choices these days ! It's been suggested that
I just throw it out but....well....hate to waste it. Good luck !

[Betty J.]

I think the 8 series has eliminated the need for the Bobbin Genie with it's advanced bobbin tension controls. If you pull the bobbin through to the top before you start stitching there is almost never a problem.

I use Bottom Line for almost everything in my 830 LE, even Sulky, and very often I thread it like I would for embroidery and click it one click tighter to the right. It works like a dream that way for so many things, even metallics. I do test a lot though as I work through a project.

In general, Sulky used to shred no matter what I did, but I haven't tried it with Aurefil. Recently it seems to me that Sulky is getting better and shreds less than it used to. Sulky has come out with a competition for Bottom Line recently, and I plan to use that when I make the Hoffman Challenge quilt I'm about to start, since I thought I'd enter the Sulky Thread competition part of the Hoffman Challenge this year. I'm going to do a lot of threadwork on my Hoffman Challenge this year, so that is why I decided to do that. You have to use all Sulky if you enter that part of the competition. Of course, if I find I just can't get it to work well and I'm having trouble with the quilt because of it, I'll abandon that idea.

I wish Superior made a 12 wt. I've had to use Sulky 12 wt when I want a really thick thread for threadwork and it does have a lot more fluff on the thread.

[Rita C.]

Betty Jo, I am pretty sure Aurifil do a 12 wt thread. I have never used this particular weight thread but their other threads are very lint free. Good luck with the Hoffman/Sulky challenge. I can't wait to see the pictures.

[Betty J.]

Rita, thanks. I'll look into that. :-)

[Betty J.]

Many thanks to everyone for your input! I think I'm going to forget about trying the Bobbin Genies but now you have brought up another thing I've been wondering about, what is the advantage to threading for embroidery? And is it only advantageous for FMQ or is it helpful for things like piecing as well?

[Betty J.]

It tightens the tension on the bobbin a little bit...and therefore it depends on the threads and fabrics and stitches you are using whether it is useful for other things or not. I think each machine, even each 830, is slightly different, though. I find if I use regular sewing thread (the Berninas are factory set for size #50 threads for regular sewing), in both bobbin and top, that default settings work perfectly. I seldom use that. The only way to tell if it is right is work a practice piece first and adjust as needed. That's both the great thing and the sometimes frustrating thing about an advanced machine like the series 8 machines...there are many settings that can make things perfect you never could get perfect before, but you have to work practice pieces and keep a notebook until you have it all worked out. You need to make fairly tight loopedy loops to test for FMQ and look at both sides.

[Betty J.]

When I first got my 830 LE, I kept getting thread nests and tangles and all sorts of frustrating things. So I took it back in to the dealers. She patiently went through it with me and discovered I wasn't waiting until the light went on before I pulled the thread across the top through the tension and down when I threaded it. It made ALL the difference. :shock: I have loved the machine ever since.

[Betty J.]

Thanks for your explanation, Betty Jo! My dealer's idea of a Mastery class is little more than how to turn the machine on. Over time I have been able to figure out some things through trial and error. I learned a lot more when I discovered Exnovadesigns' online videos of mastery classes. I found printed mastery classes on another website. I've read and re-read the manual. I found a couple of Yahoo Series 8 groups which were helpful but I soon tired of all the complaining and bickering. I learned some things from CJ before she discontinued her blog. I just keep trying to glean what I can from lots of sources. You have been quite helpful, thank you!

[Betty J.]

i had the same experience as renata,
my bernina dealer told me big no no to use genie,
but i used it with every bernina that i had, until now,
i have B580, it seems that in the bobbin they added a metal disk, very thin, like genie. so i assume it take the place of the genie.

[Norma H.]

Thanks for explaining about the Sulky + Aurifil. I will try that. My 830 doesn't like the Sulky and this may solve the problem. I don't have much Sulky in the house, but I have a lot of Madeira Rayon and that works well in the machine as long as 'I remember to lower the top tension. My preferred thread is Bottom Line so most often that is in the bobbin. I use it for piecing also.
I love all the possibilities with this machine, but BJ is right. You are doing test samples all the time