550QE or 580

[wendy w.]

First question - Threading. It has foam discs to go on the spool holder then the spool which means I can't put the spool discs on does it matter? Well I can get it on but then the thread doesn't rotate. Ha ha can't even thread a machine after all these years

[karen f.]

:lol: It's the first thing that's stopped me checking on here.

Ingrid is lovely B) B) but very confusing :silly: :blink: , I can't make head or tail of all the options. Good thing there's a guide and DVD. I'm scared of changing something and messing it up for ever. See you in about a month :lol: I'm still smiling and bouncing

Good for you! Enjoy your new machine!!

[Renata L.]

Hi Wendy! if you don't want to use the spool disks you don't have to. I use mine all the time. The spool is not supposed to rotate with the foam disks on--all that matters is that the thread flows throw your tension disks down to your needle. With the presser foot and needle both in the "up" position, and your machine threaded, tug on the thread that comes out of the needle--if it is coming through smoothly, that is all that matters! Have fun with your new machine! :P

[wendy w.]

Thanks Renata a bit of reassurance goes a long way. I'm off ....prrrrrrrrr (imagine sound of happy sewing)

[Nancy R.]

Will you be sharing pictures of her in her new home?

[wendy w.]

:lol: Well it was tidy this morning

[wendy w.]

Here (I hope) is my new friend just for you Nancy. Note the foam disc in use Renata




Ok so I wasn't tidy just a bit less untidy :blush:

[Pamela N.]

Wendy I know exactly how you feel - elated and terrified. When I got my Bernina I was a little bit scared to use it and play about with the settings probably because it was the most expensive sewing machine that I had ever bought. I still don't use the BSR foot that came with my machine, so you will have to let me know how you get on with yours. They are lovely machines.
Best Wishes Pam

[Pamela N.]

Your new 'Baby' looks gorgeous - I see that you have your instruction book in the exact same place as I keep mine! :cheer:
Best Wishes Pam

[wendy w.]

I had a go with the BSR at the show and it was fine except when pausing and starting again but I've just been reading and there are 2 modes so on one it keeps going with slow stitches so will try that when I feel brave. I'll let you know

[Pamela N.]

I just can't seem to get the hang of using the BSR - probably because I haven't practiced enough or it's easier for me to quilt with the FMQ foot. I shall wait and see if you can give me any tips.
Best Wishes Pam

[ANNE E.]

II heard a noise floating down from Derbyshire this morning I thought it was thunder....then I realised it was Wendy playing with her new toy :cheer:
Wendy I hope you and "INGRID" get to know each other real well as I'm sure you will.

Do you have to go to Bernina classes?
Enjoy
Anne

[Heather H.]

Wendy,
I am sitting here eating my breakfast in Australia and sending you a great big Bernina smile. Only Bernina ladies know 'that smile'! Your new 'baby' looks like it was made to fit on your table in your sewing space!
Don't be afraid of anything, give everything a try. Nothing will bite you and if you change any settings, they will just go back to factory settings. If you want to keep any setting changes, don't forget to save changes in your 'favorites'.
The BSR is fantastic..................please give it a try. I prefer mode 2, I use bobbin fill and I usually change my top tension down to about 2 for my 820QE. Play with the tension to suit your threads, it is not like old style machines, you can't ruin anything. Practice, practice, practice.

Wishing you many happy sewing hours for many years to come. (By the way, the new 97D foot is really worth getting for patchwork)

Ann, I just read your post and my eyes lit up when you said Derbyshire. I have lived in Australia since 1965, but I came from Derbyshire, UK. A little place called South Normanton, near Alfreton.

Happy sewing to all.
Heather

[Renata L.]

Heather, I could not agree more that practice is a great thing with Bernina sewing computers and they make playing easy because you can go back to the factory settings so easily! You mentioned the presser foot #97 and I have seen it in the store but have not spoken with anyone who has used it. I seem to be doing fine with presser foot #37D on my Bernina 830 so I was not inclined to purchase the #97. But since you do use it, could you share your experience with it and why you like it so much? I could use some food for thought. Thanks!

[Heather H.]

Hi Renata,
I actually work for Bernina now. (I know, I am in heaven!)
When the 97D foot came out I tried one in the shop and was very open minded as I too was quite happy with the 37D and particularly the 57D foot (in fact my nick name in the shop is '57D').
I do mainly sew patchwork and I do notice sometimes that my seams get thinner at the ends, probably because this is when I am tired and not taking so much care. Using a stiletto, if you use one helps here.
With the new foot I find that the seams are effortlessly perfect . The main advantage, apart from the foot now includes a sewing guide attachment, is the change of the foot construction. There is much greater contact with the feed dogs, making the starting of seams much easier, especially when using the straight stitch plate. No more sucking a point of fabric down through the plate hole, on a 9mm stitch plate at the start of seams. The left hand side of the foot is much wider, more like a standard sewing foot. I also know the man here who helped with the new design and he is brilliant, so I had a good feeling that the new product would be very nice.
I am teaching a beginners class at the moment and I have to insist on accurate seams from the very start, so that patchwork will be a breeze. One lady who was having great difficulty with this bought the 97 for her Bernina 350PE and is now brimming with confidence because her seams are absolutely perfect now.

I hope this information is of help to you and others,
Happy Sewing, Heather