Skip stitches on pleated masks

[Maryellen M.]

My 820 has decided to skip stitches on the masks I'm making. Doing the pattern with the pleats. With 3 fabrics on the fold there's 9 layers of fabric. Was working okay--not perfect--but few problems. Now it just refuses. I've tried different thread, have gone to using the walking foot, tried a jeans needle--forget that--, HELP! Anyone have a suggestion?

[Kathryn S.]

My machine did the same thing, not wanting to stitch up over the many layers of the pleats. My presser foot has a little button near the back that you can press in, that locks the presser foot into the horizontal position. I used that when approaching the pleats. Once I was actually up on the pleats I could release the button and just stitch slowly. I don't know if Bernina feet have this feature. If they do, you could try that and see if that helps.

Kathy

[Helen W.]

mellonquilts, Someone had a similar problem a while back and Margo suggested a Hump Jumper notion. I have used them with hemming
jeans to get over the thick side seams. You have to stop and build up the back side of the presser foot so the machine thinks it is the
same level and the hump of fabric you are going over. Hopes this helps. I use a larger needle 90 or 100. HelenW

[Kathryn S.]

I have also used the hump jumper tool, and that works also. For me, pushing the button at the back of the presser foot worked well because it was less fiddly for me. Either one does the same thing, holding the presser foot level so it can go up over the very thick layers of fabric.

Kathy