Hey all, Nora here!
Another long hiatus with a lot keeping me busy (follow me on Instagram to see what I have been up to) but I don’t wan’t to spend time on that today because I have something very exciting to show off and talk about:
That’s right! Like Faye, I recently splurged– on my first BERNINA sewing machine. The team at Linda Z’s Sewing Center helped me pick out the right machine so I know this particular model, the BERNINA 530 E, will let me do everything I want with room to grow, felt great when I tried it, and was a price I was comfortable paying. Plus it gets great reviews. More than anything, I truly saw and felt a difference when I tried the BERNINA machines. Overall, a good investment and isn’t she a beauty? And…the gold!
I was so excited I finally cleaned out my mess of a home “office” to clear a proper spot for her.(Ok, I’ll stop personifying my new sewing machine now.) I imagine my stack of fabric and related supplies will mount up as my sewing prowess also increases. Ha! I’ll surely outgrow this cozy spot, but for now this will do. (I am sure my husband is rolling his eyes at this point).
After getting all set up, I sat down to thread my machine and quickly consulted the BERNINA site to take advantage of their video tutorials which were very helpful, but I much prefer and benefit from hands-on help with nearly everything at this point. Highly supervised sewing sounds fun, right? Observe an expert, try with guidance, discuss, try again is my learning style.
Long story short, my mom came over and helped me change the foot, thread the machine, load a bobbin, and get started with free-motion quilting practice. I was off and running on my own and for a few days I was able to FMQ when I had a few minutes here or there, usually during nap time.
Then, the other day, I was trying a few of my own motifs, including a turkey for Thanksgiving, when I ran out of fabric and thats is when things went downhill.
I attempted to swap in a new quilt sandwich and start quilting again when the thread went MIA and the bobbin started spinning extra threads at me. Gulp. I texted my mom and sister but their advice, while supportive, wasn’t terribly specific. I at least knew not to yank on the threads but could not come up with an alternative so in my panic and at the advice of a YouTuber, a screw driver came out and before I knew it, I was staring at the guts of my sewing machine. Yikes!
Eventually I cleared all the lost and excess threads, screwed the shell back on, flipped off my machine, walked out of the room, closed the door, and thought about pouring myself a glass of wine (it wasn’t even close to 5 o’clock).
A couple days later my mom again came to my rescue and helped me troubleshoot. She even threw in a lesson on changing needles and oiling your machine. Why not? I took notes.
I am back up and running again and making an effort to sit down at my machine everyday, even for just a few minutes, to practice a FMQ motif. The reality is I am usually pulled away to another task like laundry or a toddler who needs attention, but I hope the consistent use will make me more comfortable with the machine and ready to move on to a bigger project, but more on that next time!
Any sewing machine tips or tricks for a new sewer? To avoid disaster?
Until next time…
Nora
52 comments
Pam Collins
Nora you ARE funny! I just watched you tube Saturday- think it was Bernina Boys- about that birds nest thing. A couple people above mentioned – problem often is raising the pressor foot BEFORE the needle. Who knew? Check that vid out!
Marta
About “bird’s nests ” under the plate…I found a website a year ago that gave instructions that have changed my sewing life. I wish I had written name of site down
Ok, 1. place fabric under the needle. 2. Use the wheel to turn the needle down into the spot where you want to begin sewing. Turn toward you always. 3. Lower the presser foot. 4. Hold on to the upper thread tail and the bobbin tail. 5. Hold thread tails while sewing the first 5-8 stitches and then turn loose of them. That’s it. The instructions said ” You should do this forever each time you begin to sew.” I will tell you that I was having regular birdnests and have only had one since using this method. That time I was trying to sew two incompatible types of fabric and the needle broke. I should also say I have a Viking. This method also works with an old Brother I use sometimes.
Best wishes !
Helen
Glad to see you have put on the extension table . Much easier to control your sewing, and essential for free motion work.
Nancy
Hi
I am a beginner quilter as well. I’m following you from Albertville Minnesota. My mother passed away suddenly a year and a half ago from cancer. She left behind 2 rooms full of quilting supplies and unfinished projects. My sister’s and I promised her we would finish her projects. She was so worried that we would throw everything once she passed.
So we are learning to quilt together. I am presently learning to machine quilt. It’s a struggle. I hold my breathe the whole time.😳 I’m trying to practice a little everyday. I like the idea someone suggested here to listen to music. I’m currently trying to learn the spiders and webs so that I can finish a Halloween quilt top she did.
Thank you for sharing your blog and experiences.
Nancy
GrandmaSue10GG2
OH, please BREATHE! Take mini breaks and maybe one big one, especially if you are at it all day. Sometimes just stop, put your shoulders down and back, breathe like they do in yoga class. ie; in for4 counts, out for 8 counts or something similar.
Arvilla Trag
Nancy, just keep practicing. When I started doing FMQ it looked like my prize kindergarten artworks. I kept at it and one day everything seemed to just work for me. Even now if I don’t do any FMQ for a while I am rusty and need to practice. For practice sandwiches I use batting scraps, old towels on their way to the rag bag, old blankets on their way to the garden – pretty much anything that won’t run from me.
Music is a great idea – especially if you find something with a rhythm that you can match your FMQ to. For me, some days that would be Tchaikovsky; other days it would be the Surfaris “Wipe Out”. (It all depends on how much coffee I’ve had.)
Note that gremlins love to torment newbies. Like any schoolyard bully they will torment you until you learn to ignore them. They are just jealous.
Cindy Janke
Lori, This isn’t about sewing a sewing mistake but I as wondering what type of fabric glue you use? I bought some after you mentioned it in a post but can’t lay my hands on it! Maybe the sewing gremlins got it! Cindy
quiltbabe (@quiltbabe)
I’ve had my Bernina Virtuosa Quilter’s Edition for over 21 years now, and it runs like it did at day one! Bought the big new sewing/embroidery machine, the Bernina 830, about six years ago. Love that one, too.
Best advice?
1. Change needles often. They are cheap, even at $1.50 each…I’ll easily use 3-5 of them on a lap size quilt. The instant you start hearing “ker-chunk” with every stitch…preferably before, lol…change the needle.
2. Clean the bobbin area out EVERY time you have to change/refill a bobbin. It is amazing how much lint accumulates there. Brush or use a small vacuum, do not blow! You just blow the lint further into the innards where you can’t reach.
3. Plan time to just play. I did a 20″ crazy-style quilt, and spent a happy couple of evenings trying out all the decorative stitches on the machine, along with a bunch of specialty thread. No deadline, the project was for me…so no stress.
4. Keep a notebook close by. I work on multiple projects, or play like in #3, and it helps to keep a page for each project or experiment, to record machine settings, thread type, needle size etc. Hands down, this has been one of the most helpful thing I’ve done.
Dee
Nora,most Bernina dealers gives lessons when you buy a machine from them. I purchased the Bernina 570 and was given 2 days of instructions with a Bernina rep. I had no idea of all the things it could do but I am still practicing with. Good luck.
Candie
Use the manual and learn where to find things in it. I write in mine all the time; if it makes more sense that an instruction is where it’s not I write on that page where it can actually be found. YouTube videos can be life savers. Every Bernina comes with a free lesson, make sure you take it. Use good thread. Clean, oil and change your needle between every project. Read to understand all directions for a project before you begin. Go slow and enjoy the process. Good luck with your new machine!
Teri
Laughed out loud today Nora. you are a good writer and very funny.
love you
Aunt Teri
Jocelyn
Congratulations on investing in one of the best sewing machines around. My sweet hubby bought me a Bernina for Christmas 15 years ago, and I have loved every minute of it. The only advice I would share is, when you are able, buy a sewing table where the machine sets down and your work space is all level. You will enjoy machine quilting so much more. It also helps your back and shoulders to not strain from tension.
Janette
Hi Nora,
Bought my 750 Bernina in 2015. Just love it! Still learning lots about my machine.
Think everyone has offered you all the advice . Just want to say practice, relax, practice, relax, Practice. Anything worth while take practice and time.
Thanks to your Mom l have finished lots of quilts.
Have fun and don’t give up!😊
Rondalyn
I’m new to the quilting world too. I started out taking a few classes but then I reverted to You Tube videos. I still need some live help once in awhile, but your mom is right get back in there and keep going. Be kind to yourself, it’s all new and now is the time to be chill with the mistakes. Best of luck. BTW, I absolutely love the table you have for your sewing machine❤❤❤
Arvilla Trag
Nora, it sounds like you may have a little-discussed sewing machine problem called gremlins. Gremlins are extremely small creatures that prey on thread, fabric, and time – the closer you are to your deadline for a quilt, the more gremlins come out of the woodwork (that’s where they live, in the woodwork). There is no known prevention for gremlins, but they can be frightened off by doing a few critical things.
1. Never buy cheap thread. Seriously, any thread that comes on a 2,000 yard cone for $4.99 is nothing but gremlin bait. They LOVE junk food.
2. Never quilt angry. Gremlins can sense anger, and they use it against you by pouring glitches on it like gasoline on a fire. Your quilt will suffer, but you will suffer more.
3. Never quilt drunk. This has nothing to do with gremlins, it’s just common sense. If you quilt don’t drink, if you drink don’t quilt.
4. Never buy cheap needles. Refer to #1.
5. Never skip reading the pattern all the way through BEFORE you start cutting. Gremlins give off a scent that causes a quilter to feel a euphoric sense of self-confidence. Succumbing to this feeling can make an otherwise responsible quilter skip reading the pattern, neglect to adjust tension, and forget to use a 1/4″ foot. When the euphoria wears off, there is invariably a pile of incorrectly cut fabric on the cutting table and a quilter moaning and shrieking in the corner under a pile of batting.
6. If you are going to eat chocolate while you quilt, make it M&Ms. A single gremlin can melt a Hershey bar faster than a microwave, and just try to get it out of your quilt fabric. In fact, some quilters hide small bags of M&Ms around the house to ward off gremlins.
7. Never try to finish a quilt in less time than you KNOW it should take. The amount of gremlins that will pop up is orders of magnitude more than from any other cause, and inversely proportional to the amount of time you have left to finish the quilt..
Bonnie Reed
I love this post! Let me add that gremlins do not like Christmas time . As soon as that calendar flips up to November and your pile of Christmas sewing is near the machine, The gremlins will do a sacrificial dance around your machine and cause all sorts of mischief. This year, I thought I got ahead of them by sending Machine for her check up in June. It did no good. As soon as the gremlins saw.November on the calendar, Queenie, my machine acted Like she had not seen the doctor in years.
The moral of the story? Do not have any calendars near your new machine and never say the word Christmas in her presence.
Arvilla Trag
The Christmas tree! The little blighters! Is there nothing sacred? That explains a lot. Due to space limitations, instead of one large tree we have 5 mini-trees around the living room and dining room. That is 5 times the dancing gremlins! I wonder if mouse traps set with silk thread as bait would work….
Glenda
HaHaHaHa. You offer excellent advice! and truth!!
Kat
This is hysterical…and SO true.
Betty Jo Tatum
You will love it if you just stick with it. YouTube is a great help. There is a YouTube bunch called “Bernina Boys” that tell you all about how to maintain your machine and why things like thread nests occur. I truly love Berninas. And yes, the new computerized versions have a learning curve, but well worth the effort. Just remember to breathe, and realize you probably are not going to break it just by getting the thread nest out of the bobbin area, or making a mistake in threading. One of the important things to remember when threading it is to raise the foot so the threads can properly go into the tension disks, which is quite often why you get a thread nest. Enjoy your machine and stand up and stretch every now and again. 😀
Barb Allen
Best advice I can offer is to MAKE something. (Yes, keep practicing too.) Find something simple to make, such as a dish towel. Seriously. Buy a piece of fabric intended for woven (not terry) dish towels, and hem it. This will help increase your comfort with the machine and at the same time teach you how to hem, start and stop stitching, change the stitch length to suit your project, etc. Plus you will have something to show for it. Granted, it is just going into the kitchen to dry dishes and mop up and other gritty stuff, but it will be a thing YOU made.
Then (and yes you are still practicing other stuff) make something else. How about one of those toddler skill mats with something to button, open, close, identify colors? You can iron on fun things that are bright and have names that even a toddler cannot peel off.
You are already off to a great start. I am sending positive vibes your way!
kathy nyquist
Do pour the wine!
Jill McCaughey
ALWAYS unplug your computerized machine when you are not using it! All you need is to fry the “guts” during a power outage or surge…happened to a gal I know, and cost her $$$$$ to repair! Otherwise, enjoy your Bernina, the best machines on the planet. Jill in Calgary/Phoenix
Whiskers
With your little helper, I think I would get in the habit of unplugging the machine at the outlet. One blood curdling scream because someone has pushed a button (mommy pushes that button) and run the needle through their finger would ruin everyone’s sewing experience.
Joy
Remember the old saying if all else fails read the instructions as in the manuel.
Suzanne
Patience! That’s the key; first with yourself, then with the machine. As soon as something happens – STOP! Take a deep breath and evaluate what you see. Is it just a thread jumble? Is the fabric being pulled down into the needle hole? Then go to your manual and look in the Troubleshooting section to see if it describes what you’re seeing and follow the directions. If not, try to lift the presser foot. If the needle is down, can you hand rotate the wheel to make the needle rise? (make sure you turn it toward you) If you can’t, don’t force it. Take a another deep breath. Now remove the bobbin cover – can you see a lot of bunched threads in there? Get some tiny scissors and try snipping them a little at a time to see if you can make the needle move – gently. This usually works. You can also try to remove the bobbin itself, carefully snipping any threads holding it in. Once out, you might find more threads behind or underneath it depending on your bobbin orientation. Hopefully now you can remove the fabric; you may have to cut threads from it as well. Use a flashlight if you need to and carefully inspect the area around the bobbin race. Pull out any stray threads with fine-tipped tweezers (I have several of these – they’re life-savers). Now you can replace the bobbin, and the bobbin cover. Replace your needle, it’s very likely bent or damaged. And if you aren’t already using it, switch the cover plate over your feed dogs to the one that has a single small hole for the needle. This is much better for FMQ and prevents fabric from pulling into the machine. Just remember to switch back to the wide-hole cover when you need to do any zig-zag or decorative stitching or you’ll break the needle. I’ve been sewing for over 60 years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this!!! Duh-h-h-h!
Just remember to be patient, especially with yourself and don’t get rattled. Take your time and all will work out just fine. Plus you can call your Mom or the dealer.
Oh yes, one last VERY important bit – keep your foot OFF the machine pedal while you do this (or turn off the machine). You don’t want pierced fingers!
You can do it!
Merry Christmas
Patti Godwin
I hate to say this but as a friend I feel I can. It’s your sewing space. It needs much more clutter. I am very happy to offer my expertise in this area. In fact, I can send you some clutter. Lol 😊😊😊
Lori Kennedy
HAHA! What do you suggest? more fabric?
Rosemarie
Nora, as someone else indicated, do ask the store where you bought your machine if they offer new user classes. They are well worth the time!
Also, as someone else mentioned, if you turn on your machine and it sounds like a little fan running, but the machine sews just fine, check to see if your bobbin winder got bumped to the on-position. Very common issue I understand!
Congratulations, by the way, on your new Bernina. You will learn to feel very comfortable with it the more you use it!
Lori Kennedy
Thanks for the tip, someone else said the same thing! the sound would have surely resulted in panic so I am glad to stay ahead of it! I will definitely be signing up for classes!
Eileen
Ok, i confess to just having bought a Janome. Bernina did not feel right to me. But the computerized learning curve is one i can relate too. My last machine ,an Elna, had cams and was manually adjusted. It did the bobbin thread eating thiing. Found i need to keep it clean from lint at all times, your machine may be fussy that way too.
Connie Boulay
I have a very soft 1″ paint brush that I use to clean the machine. It attracts lint, and is easy to get under the feed dogs. I want to stress the very soft part, a high end paint brush, but I have had it for years, and it is easy to hold and easy to find in my drawer. I do have a small one that fits into my carry case when I take my machine someplace. Machine quilting does generate a lot of lint!
Lori Kennedy
Janome…Bernina…Singer…Brother…all sewing machines! whatever you like! How do you keep it clean from lint? should I check the manual? Lol!
Helen
No, No, NO!! Do not used canned air. Any Bernina store will stress this. The force of canned air blows lint far into the inner workings of the machine, perhaps jamming something you can’t get to. Both of the stores where I bought my Berninas (in the past 10 yrs) teach you to use your lint brush frequently, in the bobbin area and under the throat plate. See your manual to learn how to remove the parts you can for normal cleaning. If you think you need more, both stores recommended use of a mini vacuum – like they use for computers and small electronics. Never blow on the lint-y areas. That sends some moisture from your breath into your machine and can eventually cause rusting.
worldpresscom986
Use canned air. Do not blow lint away. Your breath has moisture in it and eventually can cause problems. There is usually a little brush that comes with the machine, take care using this as a bristle can come off and get jammed in a crevice near the bobbin. It is murder to get it out!
Sue
Hi Nora, I have a funny memory to share with you. When I got my first sewing machine I had no experience. I wanted to make Christmas stockings for our new baby and us. Well I had major problems! My sweet husband saw me freaking out on a regular basis so he told me I should make a rule not to sew after 10pm. It’s so funny thinking of it now but back then I had the patience of a flea and it really helped to put things away when I got overwhelmed!
I think that’s about the only advice he ever gave me that I took 🙂
Lori Kennedy
haha! I love this and I totally relate! I want to make Christmas pillow cases for our beds and my husband thinks I am a total spaz the way I can’t seem to figure anything out. Like you said, I currently have the patience of a very tiny flea and get flustered easily. Glad to know it will improve!
dianneb.
I purchased my first Bernini an 830, some forty five years ago, and I was hooked! I now have a 550 and love it, (I’ve loved all the Berninas I have had over the years). Like one comment, I would try to get a couple of lessons from your Bernina dealer and soon there will be no looking back! They are great machines!
Lori Kennedy
so glad to hear another good review, especially of their longevity! My grandma didn’t splurge much on herself, but always had a BERNINA so I figured that was also a good testimonial. I will definitely be doing the classes with the dealer. Thanks for the tip!
Rosemaryflower
Yeah, first off, you are a sewist.Not a sewer❤️ I think you are doing a wonderful job so far. You are so lucky to have mom come to the rescue and teach you stuff. You are a very good daughter!
I love your workspace and your machine is pretty
Lori Kennedy
Thank you for the correction. I have to able to talk the talk, too! haha. I am lucky to have her nearby, for many reasons!
Lucinda
Some day, you will turn on your machine to a very weird noise. It’s the lever for the bobbin winder. I did this as soon as I brought my 530 home. Called the store, the owner said asked ‘did you buy a Bernina? It’s probably the lever for the winder’. Sheesh, that was easy!
Lori Kennedy
YIKES! you spared me from a total meltdown. haha. Thank you!
Jean
When the sound changes, STOP and check for a problem!
Lori Kennedy
Oh dear! Talk about bringing your sewing to a “screeching halt”
Joan Vandehey
Congratulations on your new Bernina! I’m sure you will love it. Check with the store where you purchased it. Hopefully they offer classes to introduce you to all the features you will soon use easily. I hope the store has helpful staff you can call on when you have a question.
Lori Kennedy
I am glad to hear the classes are worthwhile. I will be signing up ASAP! Thank you for the note!
Helen
Joan is right. You should take all of the introductory classes offered included with your purchase, usually group classses. I have purchased two Berninas from two different stores in the last 10 years and found it worthwhile to go through all of the classes both times. I even learned new tips and functions for the older machine while attending classes for the newer machine.
Michele K
I sewed with my old Bernina 830 for years. When I finally got an upgrade Bernina that was computerized it was a big learning curve. It took me a year to realize I had to think like a computer! Now I love my 750. I find it helpful to write notes in the manual, and even add “titles in the index when I can’t find something under the word I know it should be. Play some music, PLAY with your machine. (It knows when you are working too hard and will choose that moment to get you-kidding, but it feels like it.) It is an art learned best with practice!
Lori Kennedy
Love this encouraging advice! practice!
worldpresscom986
re: seeing several threads. I think it is from not quite finishing the last stitch. Try hand winding (forward only) the wheel and see if the errant thread is drawn up into your work. If not, just snip one thread, then another until the rat’s nest is cleared up.
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