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I cannot get the monofilament thread to work in my new Bernina 820.
I am using the best thread and have tried setting the tension to looser settings. I am using the 75 or 80 Microtex needles and 50wt cotton thread in the bobbin. But it still will only make a few stitches before it begins to hang up and stretch to the breaking point.
The Bernina 820 does have a tall thread stand and I have used the net to help control the unwinding to no avail. I have discussed this with my Bernina dealer and they claim that they don't use the monofilament thread on the Bernina 820 because the arm is so long that it makes the thread tangle. I am really disappointed that I cannot use this machine with the monofilament thread to do the invisible applique.
I am able to use it on my old Bernina 1090 but not my new machine. I have searched the Bernina website and sent messages to them but have not responded or nor do they list any good advise that I haven't already tried.
Is anyone else having this problem with the Bernina 820? If so, has anyone found a solution to the problem?
Reply
Patty, I'm posting this question in hopes that a Bernina 820 user will respond with actual experience, but in the meantime, have you gotten...
A New Thread Lubricator Guide for Series 8 Machines
This new 'Thread Guide Accessory Kit' is free from Bernina (Reorder # 033595.70.00 Location: B8903010201. "8 Series Kit for FREE" is marked on the box itself).
Installed near the spool holder, it adds an additional guide to tame unruly threads, as well as providing a sponge for thread lubricant. Check with your dealer for availability.
Intuitively, each thread guide adds a bit of tension to the thread as it passes through your sewing machine. I would expect to have to reduce needle tension further or increase bobbin tension to offset this additional guide.
Additional Research Reveals...
In researching information I've found, threading your machine with monofilament thread is a bit trickier than, say, a cotton thread. Bernina asks that monofilament thread be held tight all the way through to the white lips, only then can threading your sewing machine begin. Bernina also suggest to reduce your stitching speed to 1/2 or 1/4. (For machine applique, this is a good idea anyway, the zig zag is pretty small. It's faster to sew slower than sew fast and have to rip things out.)
If you are quilting with the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) engaged, the manufacturer recommends these tension settings:
Sulky monofilament: 1.75 - 2.0
YLI monofilament: 1.75
Madeira monofilament: 2.5-3.0
While you want to use the thread for invisible machine applique, these are at least indications of where to start testing the tension.
One quilter recommends using Superior Threads' Bottom Line in the bobbin with Superior MonoPoly in the needle, a 5.5mm throat plate, with bobbin tension two clicks right of normal.
Have you tried making any adjustments to your bobbin tension?
Increasing it would help counteract the higher tension created by the needle monofilament. (Both of the Superior Threads this quilters recommends are polyester.) Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on how to do this.
Other recommendations from quilters who've had problems with this machine include:
Download any updates from Bernina as they are available. Many report the updates DO make a difference.
Make sure your machine is on a very sturdy table. Any bounce will effect tension.
Always clip your thread at the spool and pull the thread tail out through the needle. Just removing the spool and pulling the thread back through the machine can effect your tension.
Try a separate cone holder for threads. YLI and SewArt monofilament are cross-wound onto cones. The separate thread stand gives them a bit longer to 'un-kink' before they get to the machine.
Online Bernina Discussion Groups
You may want to join an on-line discussion group for your sewing machine. Yahoo has one for the Bernina Series 8. These groups can be quite helpful, especially when you have a problem. You have the option of selecting 'digest' which means you'll get a batch of posts at once or choose to have the posts emailed to you individually.
Bernina 820/830 users, if you've had these problems and overcome them, please use the 'Comment' link below to help a fellow quilter.
You may also wish to add your experiences with this machine to our Sewing Machine Reviews to assist other quilters who may be purchasing this machine.
Patty, I hope one of these suggestions helps. These machines cost a pretty penny (lots of pennies, really). You are not alone with problems you've been experiencing.
Thank you.
Piecefully,
Julie Baird Editor
Comments for
Monofilament thread problem on a Bernina 820
I was shown by the serviceman that using the thread tension at 1 worked better.
He did this for straight stitching and it was OK. When I tried free motion and the BSR I had a problem then had to reset the tension again to 1 with the BSR. I have tried free motion again and it did not work.
After fighting the machine and clearing out the bobbin case it was just easier and faster to use my Brother 1500 for monofilament free motion.
So much for having a mid-arm machine.
Still does not work by: Maggie
I have tried all the comments above, i.e., tighten lower tension, loosen upper tension, jeans needle (16) and my 820 sews about 6 stitches and then stops. The information screen comes on with the broken thread symbol. I have reverted back to my old Virtuosa 153 and using the above techiques it is working quite well. Why dont the Bernina people figure it out for 820 and post it on their site so that we can all just get on with it.
Monofilament Thread by: Jeri
I sew with a Bernina 830. I use Superior Monopoly and put Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin. Set the upper tension to 1.75 and tighten the bobbin tension one notch to the right. I use a jeans needle size 14. It is a very sharp point and the eye of the needle is large. I experience little to no breakage. I have used this set up for free motion on the quilt frame and it worked perfectly. I change my needle often and this one small adjustment may be all you need to try. A new needle. I have great success with YLI Invisible Thread also. I hope this helps.
~Thank you so much for your contribution, Jeri!...Julie
Monofilment thread by: Anonymous
I have the 830 and have sewn more than 5 quilts with the mono thread. The only problem I have had is to make sure the mono thread is threaded thru the bobbin tension. It is very easy to miss the guide. Sometimes I have adjusted the upper tension. It is so easy to do. It just has to be tested for a short time. I hope you get the issue solved to your satisfaction.
Needle issue? by: Lisa D.
Have you tried a 80/12 topstitch needle, Bottom Line thread in the bobbin and have the top thread unwind from the side. If your machine does not have a way to thread the spool so it unwinds from the side, there is a kit available from Bernina that will fix the problem. Good luck!
820 invisible thread problem by: Anonymous
Wondering which needle and foot she is using. Is she using the Bernina Stitch Regulator or the standard free motion foot?
Response to your suggestions by: Patty
Hi Julie, I really appreciate you posting my question and your response with suggestions. However, I have tried all of the suggestions that you and others have made but still have breaking issues after an inch or two of straight stitching with the monofilament thread. I am completely unable to free motion quilt with the thread. I am curious if there are any Bernina 820HQ machine owners who are successfully using monfilament thread. I have spoken to several Bernina Dealerships and none of them claim to use the thread and don't have any suggestions. As a side comment, I went to a Janome dealer and tried their new Horizon 7700 with the monofilament thread and was able to straight stitch, free motion and zigzag stitch without any problems on that machine. It didn't even require special tension setting, just Auto setting. They had King Tut thread in the bobbin. Now I am beginning to think I need to sell my Bernina 820HQ and buy a Janome.
reduce upper tension by: Anonymous
I just finished using monofilament on my 830 for the first time. I lowered the upper tension quite a bit and sewed slowly until it felt comfortable. No issues.
Remove the spool properly by: Anonymous
If you haven't already, take the mastery classes. I got a lot of great tips when I did.
Don't pull the thread out backwards. You know like when you grab the spool and pull it off the machine. Clip the thread at the spool and then pull the thread out through the needle. You can mess up the auto-threader if you don't.
