“Threading the Bernina 830”

1. On June 17th, 2009 at 6:42 am Vicki Says:

   I love all you do for this list!

2. On June 17th, 2009 at 8:04 am CJ Says:

   I love having a fantastic sewing machine! LOL I just want everyone else to enjoy theirs as much as I am mine.

3. On June 17th, 2009 at 8:07 am Sharon Schroeder Says:

   Thanks for the info on the threading. Would you expand on the information to let me know the order of the threading? Does the thread go behind the “finger” (arrow) first and then is brought to the front to go into where you show the thread going? Or vice versa?

   Thank you.

   Sharon

4. On June 17th, 2009 at 8:10 am CJ Says:

   Sharon yes, the thread goes first behind the finger and then through the front… it’s actually done all in one motion, it’s just that it is very easy to miss the finger, especially if you weren’t aware of it. You should always hold onto your thread with your right hand at the beginning of threading all the way through until you’ve placed the thread in the cutter, that way enough tension is on the thread to guide it through all the areas properly.

5. On June 17th, 2009 at 11:04 am Mary Says:

   CJ – I was told that there are 2 paths above the needle .. one in front of the “finger” and one behind so that when you are threading double needles you would have them separated before they go through the eyes. I’ve always threaded a single needle with the thread going behind the “finger” but others I know put it in front with no tension issues.
   Mary

6. On June 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm Evelyn Says:

   Hi CJ I just picked up my 830 2 weeks ago and I still hav’nt opened the box too busy!!! I can hardly wait I hope I don’t have no issues with it. Especially the threading. So good to see your back I read all this on the 730 group but been really sick. I check your tinkletimes all the time too I love to see your beautiful yard and all your pics.

7. On June 17th, 2009 at 3:59 pm CJ Says:

   Mary, I know the manual references that, but it says to put one thread in the back on the tension disk and one in front… which doesn’t really make sense to me, it doesn’t mention the finger at all. I will ask my dealer to demo this next time I go up.

   Evelyn, I’m so sorry hear you’ve been ill, but congrats on your new 830, you are going to have so much fun with it!

8. On June 19th, 2009 at 4:31 pm Pam Says:

   CJ…thanks for the detailed close-up! What program do you have that allows you to draw an arrow like that right on the pic? TIA Pam

9. On June 19th, 2009 at 8:06 pm CJ Says:

   I use Photoshop Pam. But any paint or drawing program can do that.

10. On June 20th, 2009 at 7:37 am Polly Says:

    CJ,
    I don’t have an 830, but I can appreciate how awesome all these little tidbits of knowledge you share with everyone are!! You rock! Polly

11. On June 30th, 2009 at 7:57 pm Renee Valdes Says:

    CJ… I am sooo happy a friend pointed me to your blog. I brought home my 830 less than a month ago, but have had nothing but issues with the tension. I am traveling right now, but can’t wait until I get home to see if the threading tidbits you provide make a difference.

    Thanks!

12. On July 1st, 2009 at 4:25 am CJ Says:

    Renee, do you have an earlier machine? Some of them had to have the bobbin assembly replaced, my tips won’t help if you’ve got one of those.

13. On July 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm Renee Valdes Says:

    Hi CJ, just tried your tip and alas… no luck, I am still skipping stitches and having tension issues. I don’t know if I have one of the earlier 830s or not. All I know is that I picked it up from my LQS on May 30th. Is that a new one? I think I am going to have to bring it back in. My LQS did say that some had ‘burrs’ on the bobbin hook causing all type of issues.

    Separate question.. have you tried bobbin painting with your 830? I know on other Bernina models folks kept a separate bobbin case, where they loosened the screw for heavier threads to do bobbin painting with. But the 830 doesn’t have a bobbin case, so was wondering if you have found out the trick to allow thicker thread, like Ricky Tims Razzle Dazzle by Superior in the bobbin.

    Thanks!

14. On July 6th, 2009 at 7:56 pm CJ Says:

    Renee, post back with your serial number, or the first 4 numbers. If you’re 5010 or later, your machine should be fine.

    I’ve never done any bobbin painting period, but adjusting the bobbin tension on the 830 is so easy! Just use your multifunction tool, and rotate the bobbin left to loosen it. If you weren’t aware you could do this, perhaps your bobbin tension is the problem? You should have a dot marked on it and there should be a diagram on the inside of the door, showing where YOUR particular bobbin tension should be set at as a default setting.

15. On July 14th, 2009 at 9:33 pm Renee Valdes Says:

    CJ, you are correct, my machine’s sn starts with 5047. I have spent the last few days free motion quilting with an Aurifil cotton thread, with no issues as all, so I think it might just be the Superior poly Rainbow and the Isacord poly variegated. No other threads seem to have a problem. I will probably just have to play for a longer period of time with the poly threads to see if I can find just the right settings.

    Thanks for all your help!

    BTW… will be spending the 25th at my LQS getting some training on the 830… hopefully that will help.

16. On July 15th, 2009 at 5:08 am CJ Says:

    Renee, what size/type needle were you using with those threads?

17. On July 19th, 2009 at 10:17 pm Renee Valdes Says:

    HI CJ… Problem Solved! I had some quilting friends over on Saturday and one a long time sewer and Bernina owner suggested that I try one of two things: 1) switch to the single hole plate or 2) move my needle two positions to the left. Well, the 830 doesn’t come a single hole face plate, so I opted for option 2…. and WooHoo!!! It worked, no more skipped stitches, no more broken thread… nothing… just smooth sailing.

    Thanks for all your help… I really do appreciate bloggers like you, who take your time to try and help others out!

    P.S. but from all that I hear, based on my posting on my blog.. I quess I better add a single hole plate to my Bernina wish list .

18. On July 20th, 2009 at 9:47 am CJ Says:

    Doh! I never thought to mention the straight stitch plate Renee, I am so sorry! It is always on either of my machines unless I’m doing something that requires the 9mm or 5mm plates. For me, the straight stitch plate is the “default” plate.

    Now moving the needle over… I wouldn’t have thought of that. Interesting! Thank you for sharing your experience!

19. On August 22nd, 2009 at 11:52 am Linda Says:

    I have a new Bernina 830 with a serial # 5007. My dealer said it is not one that needs to be fixed. I saw that one said anything prior to 5010 needs to be fixed. How do I know?

20. On August 22nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm CJ Says:

    It’s new and has a serial number starting with 5007? Your dealer must have had it for some time… and YES that would be an old enough model the bobbin assembly needs to be checked if it is giving you trouble. Not everyone had a problem though, are you experiencing tension difficulties?

21. On September 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm Girl of my dreams Says:

    [...] to know each other, Bette and I.  But now that I have the threading/tension issues in check thanks to this helpful post, things are going very well.  It’s a fast machine, and I like that.  I’ve been doing [...]

22. On September 28th, 2009 at 8:00 pm Barb Says:

    My Bernina 830 has had tension issues while embroidering and it has frozen up when threads have gotten caught behind the bobbin case. I’ve had the machine to the dealer twice to be “unfrozen” by removing the threads behind the case but it has also been to the Bernina USA factory to be fixed and it still has issues. Anyone else or am I just dealing with a lemon?

23. On September 29th, 2009 at 2:51 am CJ Says:

    Barb, was your machine made before February of this year? If so, you may have one that needs a replacement bobbin assembly, has your machine had that done at the factory?

24. On December 24th, 2009 at 6:06 pm Caroline Says:

    I am getting a 830 for Christmas….. I have always an Apple computer and was wondering what kind of PC do most users use with thier 830 machine I have been reading this blog to the avail of the family. I even sent my husband to the store to get him out of my hair… Happy holiday all and may the new year bring you Good Health, Fun Friends and Lots of sewing time.
    Caroline

25. On February 7th, 2010 at 5:56 am Roni Gerhardt Says:

    HI CJ
    HELP
    My 830 is acting up. When I turn it on, I get the message that my bobbin door is not closed. I close it, the bobbin assembly comes out on it’s own, ( kind of freaky). I try closing the door, same thing. Tried turning it off and on, same thing….. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
    Thanks
    Roni

26. On February 7th, 2010 at 8:18 am KSC Says:

    I am not sure about the tension disc on top of the 830 when threading. The 830 website has a video that indicates going behind the top tension disc, the manual says go behind the disc when using two threads and threading the back thread, and the simulator shows threading in front of the tension disc with single thread. Does anyone know whether to thread in front or behind the top tension disc with regular one-thread sewing/embroidery.

27. On February 15th, 2010 at 5:06 pm SewNuts Says:

    Thanks so much for your blog. I’ve had my new 830 & embroidery for about a month.
    Everything has worked like a dream….. except threading it. *&^%$(* (brutal cursing) lol

    It’s simple to thread until I get to the automatic needle threader.. What a joke – It works about 1 out of every 5-8 times (or until I pop a
    gasket and thread it myself – the old fashioned way).

    I followed all of the videos, read everything I can find and still – nada!

    can’t wait until the 28th – I’m going back to the dealer for an all day class – if they can’t make it thread the needle – they’re fixing it.

    Again! thanks so much for you blog

28. On March 14th, 2010 at 8:11 am Linda Says:

    I bought an 830 when they came out.
    Every time I use it something else goes wrong. Its mostly skipping stitches, uneven tension (loops), and freezing up messages. I have had it at the dealer 3 or 4 times with no change. It is going back to Bernina. My question is that the dealer scratched and marred it up so bad and is not taking responsibilty so what happens now? They keep telling me it will get better the more I use it.
    The more I use it, the worse it gets.
    Can anyone advise me of my rights?

29. On March 14th, 2010 at 8:12 am Linda Says:

    Every time I use my 830 something else goes wrong. Its mostly skipping stitches, uneven tension (loops), and freezing up messages. I have had it at the dealer 3 or 4 times with no change. It is going back to Bernina. My question is that the dealer scratched and marred it up so bad and is not taking responsibilty so what happens now? They keep telling me it will get better the more I use it.
    The more I use it, the worse it gets.
    Can anyone advise me of my rights?

30. On April 16th, 2010 at 1:48 am Caroline Says:

    I’ve jsut got my 830 and within the space of 2 weeks the bobbin mechanism has locked solid. This means I have to send the machine back to HQ in Wales (I’m in the UK) at a cost of UK£50 each time to be unlocked. I am going on a taining coursein a couple of weeks, but I have followed the threadign instructions in the manual to the letter and I am now desperately worried that this machien is going to be useless – if it locks so easily and there is no way it can be unlocked without going to the Benrina HQ I can’t see how I can use it! Has anyone else had problems like this – and does anyone have any advice? (Short of throwing the damn thing in the bin!) I’d be so grateful for anyhelp! Bernina have been very helpful – but I am still very worried that this is a fundamental problem with the machine. Caroline

31. On April 29th, 2010 at 10:24 pm Elaine Says:

    I bought my machine in November 2009 and have had nothing but problems with it. The threader cutter falls off whenever I use it, the automatic threader works about half the time and the rayon thread bounces out when I start embroidering. It is now back at Bernina for the third time. My dealer said that they are going to recall all the 830s and check/fix each one as there are so many problems. I do know that I have to oil very frequently – about every 100,000 stitches. Not the 500,000 that is programed into the machine.

    I’m over the 830 and wish that I had not bought it.

32. On April 30th, 2010 at 4:38 am CJ Says:

    You absolutely MUST oil your 820/830 after every bobbin change. Please see my post on this topic:
    http://www.createdbycj.com/from-my-studio/2009/10/1/cleaning-and-oiling-the-bernina-8-series-machines.html

33. On April 30th, 2010 at 12:39 pm Caroline Says:

    Really sorry to hear about your experience Elaine. I suspect this machine is over engineered. I’m off next Friday on my course – but frankly I am not optimistic – I think it’s a design failure. Not sure what I will do. But I would NOT advise anyone to buy this machine. Hope you get yours sorted. Caroline

34. On May 6th, 2010 at 9:21 pm Beth Says:

    I just bought an 820 a few weeks ago. When it runs without problems, I absolutely love it. But it frequently has bobbin/thread problems. I think today I messed up by threading it with the pressure foot down—I did not know that you were supposed to have it up before threading it (it said somewhere online). I clean and oil often. I am learning a lot about running this machine right, but I feel that I have spent an awful lot of money for something that is so finicky and picky about how you run it. Please, someone tell me that it will get better!!! I wanted a Bernina because of its reputation and I sometimes feel like I have a lemon!

35. On May 7th, 2010 at 6:35 am CJ Says:

    Threading is a common problem for people on the 8 series machines. You should not need to worry about the presser foot position. When you start the threading process, the sensors pick up the thread in the first guide by the thread stand. Pause for a minute while the machine makes it’s “noises”, and sets itself up for threading.

    Once that has completed, continue to hold the thread tight in your right hand while you feed the thread through the thread path with your left hand. This process is automated in the 8 series machines.

    You are correct on lifting the presser foot for the older models though.

    Clean and oil your 820 after EVERY bobbin.

36. On May 7th, 2010 at 2:13 pm Beth Says:

    thanks for input—I re-threaded everything to start a new project, 20 minutes into sewing, I get the spool of thread picture with question mark and sewing stopped. I re-threaded three times, re-inserted the bobbin, and still have the machine not working. I noticed in a previous message on this blog that you say to put the thread behind the finger at the top of the machine–I just noticed this tiny metal thing sticking up for the first time today—it does not mention it in the manual. Could this be my problem? Also, what other things could cause everything to stop with the spool/question mark picture showing up? I am waiting to hear from my shop, but you seem very knowledgeable about it. Btw, I had been waiting for that “noise” it makes after the first step in threading, before bringing thread all the way across the machine to the left–my dealer told me about that.

37. On May 7th, 2010 at 2:26 pm CJ Says:

    Beth, the thread guide here on this page that I refer to putting the thread behind, is at the needle. The guide on the top of the machine is for using more than one thread, if you are threading for twin needle work, then you place one thread on the back, and one of the front, of that guide. If you’re simply using one thread, it actually doesn’t matter which side you thread it on.

    As for the broken thread icon, you may have one of the machines that needs some new parts. Let your dealer thread the machine and see if they can replicate it, to rule out user error. But it may be the machine and might need some new parts.

38. On May 7th, 2010 at 3:05 pm Beth Says:

    thanks—I tried putting in new needle, even though the old one was relatively new—the old needle seemed roughened at the ends compared with new needle. Oiled it and it is running again. Is there anything that could make a needle go bad quickly? Would you say quilting makes needles go bad quicker? Or is this machine not only oil-thirsty but needs new needle frequently.

39. On May 7th, 2010 at 3:36 pm CJ Says:

    No, the only way a machine can make a needle “go bad” would be if it is out time, and the needle is hitting the hook. Your tech can look at it and see. But, certain materials can definitely wear out a needle faster than others. Polyester battings for example, are much harder on a needle than cotton battings.

40. On May 7th, 2010 at 4:49 pm Beth Says:

    well, I’m not even using batting right now and it quit on me. It’s definitely broken and off to the shop it goes. I’ll let you know how it turns out!!

41. On May 29th, 2010 at 4:28 pm robyn Says:

    I purchased the 830 in January and traded it in on a Baby Lock Ellisimo in May. I was so frustrated with the threading that I was not even happy about the purchase…and for that price I wanted to be happy. I can thread my Baby Lock in seconds and it sews like a dream. I have a Bernina 1090 and am thrilled with it…just don’t believe the new 830 can hold a candle to it. Best of luck with your 830’s.

42. On May 29th, 2010 at 4:49 pm Beth Says:

    I should let you all know how it went—first, I discovered, to my stupidity, that I had the 0 mm plate and was using the creative consultant for a knit stitching project—this set me up with a narrow and long zigzag, but obviously you still cannot use the 0 mm stitch plate for that. Hence, the rough needle. Also, I had done a potholder project which uses heat resistant batting which has tiny specks of metal in it. Hmmm. Anyway, I did take it to the shop, but it worked fine there. The dealer was very nice, she played with it for a half hour while I shopped, trying to get it to do what I had happening at home, but it wouldn’t. She ran Isacord thread through the machine saying that that sometimes helps clean up the mechanisms a little and she burnished the bobbin hook a little. It has been running fine ever since and I absolutely love it. The thing that happens now is the spool symbol with question mark showing up—I just click the green checkmark and it proceeds sewing again. Strange—anyone know why it does this? I am using straight wound thread spool right now, and am wondering if that is why. Also, I have discovered that Singer needles do not auto-thread at all—only Schmetz and bernina brands.

43. On May 30th, 2010 at 1:12 am Elaine Says:

    My 830 is back at Bernina for the third time and it has been there for more than 7 weeks so far. Apparently my machine is in a queue to be fixed and there is only one person in Australia who knows how to fix them. After the first four weeks I rang my dealer and demanded that Bernina supply me with another machine whilst I’m waiting and my (world’s best) dealer lent me their shop demonstration model. This allowed me to finish what I needed for a quilt show but my heart isn’t in it at the moment.

    This is the main reason I’m so angry with Bernina – I was so passionate about embroidery and spent hours every day enjoying it. Now, most of the passion has gone as when I’m embroidering, I’m waiting for the next thing to go wrong. And I don’t have to wait long. Now it is an exercise in frustration.

    I still have not heard anything about this ‘recall’ of the 830s and it sounds as if Bernina is keeping it fairly tight. maybe this will stop the company from being so arrogant.

    Regards,

    Elaine

44. On June 23rd, 2010 at 9:53 pm Elizabeth Worden Says:

    OH DEAR!

    I’ve just read through the comments on this site and am very worried. I am gettin an 830E which should arrive at the dealer’s Monday. I hope I haven’t made a horrible expensive mistake! I am trading in my 630 E which I love. What is the number I should look for to see when the 830 machine was made?

    Thanks,
    Elizabeth

45. On June 24th, 2010 at 7:21 am Beth Says:

    I should mention that my machine is doing better now—or rather, I am doing better with it. It’s very thread sensitive. My dealer says not to use Rainbow. Do not use Singer or other cheap needles—they won’t cooperate with auto-threading. Remember to tell the machine what plate you are using—if you tell it that you are using the 0 mm plate, it will prevent you from using anything but a straight stitch, thus saving many needles from breaking. Use a mirror to view the bobbin threading job. Oil after every bobbin change. Do not pull the thread backwards out of the machine or you will fill it with lint. The problem I am currently having is that the screen will frequently show a spool with question mark on it when I start to sew—I push the “X” and start sewing again, with no problem. It’s so minor that I am not going to take it to the shop until I have its first maintenance check up. These are the helpful tips I am passing along—it seems to be a matter of getting used to the machine, more than actual problems with the machine. I am growing to love it. Oh, and one other neat tip I received from my dealer—when you open the bobbin compartment to change bobbin, there appears on the lower left screen a small machine icon that you can push—it will turn off the bright machine lights so you can thread your bobbin without this glaring light. The lights come back on when you close the compartment.

46. On July 7th, 2010 at 6:08 pm Elizabeth Says:

    I got my Bernina 830 E last week and am very pleased and know I will love it when B. and I become better acquainted. My main problem is threading rhe bobbin. I just cant get the hang of it – no problem threading the top. Does anyone have suggestions or tips for successfully
    threading lower bobbin – also no problem winding bobbin My dealer demonstrated bobbin threading when I got the machine and has shown me once since then. I get the thread through the first catch but just can’t get it under the spring.

    HELP!

    Thanks
    Elizabeth

    1 HELP!

47. On July 7th, 2010 at 6:21 pm Beth Says:

    I know what you mean—it takes lots of practice and “feel”, but pretty soon it will become easier. I usually feel a “click” in the thread and know that it was threaded properly, then slowly close the door. To thread, I hold the bobbin still with my right hand, wound the thread around my index finger on my left, like I’m about to floss my teeth, and pull straight to the left, parallel to the table. Once it “clicks” in place, I check it with a small mirror (provided by bernina in the wardrobe box). It helps to turn the light off using the icon on lower right hand corner of screen. Hope this helps.

48. On July 7th, 2010 at 6:24 pm Beth Says:

    new problem for me, everyone: it had been running really well for many weeks (occasionally having to push the “x” when the screen lit up with the spool/question mark—this happens less often with gutterman thread).

    Now it is showing the “loose stitch formation” signs on the screen, telling me to adjust the tension. It won’t sew until I click on the “x” or checkmark. It sews very slowly right before showing this symbol. The stitches were perfectly fine before and after playing with tension dial–no change whatsoever. I have cleaned, oiled, changed needle, re-threaded several times both spool and bobbin, turned machine off for awhile, tried different outlet, all to no avail. Any help on this? I can’t take it to dealer this week, so if someone has a tip, I’d appreciate it!

49. On July 22nd, 2010 at 5:39 pm Chris Smith Says:

    Am I glad to find this blog and all of you! Thank you for being so helpful.

    I’m trying to quilt my third quilt on my 830, which I’ve had since February. I seem to spend about 2 hours troubleshooting for every 1 hour stitching, mostly with top threads getting wrapped around the bobbin, if not simply breaking, even with tension set very low (like 1.25). I oil and change needles as often or more often than suggested, and I’m using Quilters’ Dream Cotton batting. My serial number starts with 5031. I’ve already had to have the stitch length knob and the tension assembly replaced, the threader adjusted, and many other things.

    But . . . I have learned a lot here and am eager to go try all I’ve read.

    My biggest question is about THREADS. I own two sets of the entire line of Superior trilobal polyester Living Colors, Nature Colors, and Highlights threads, plus the Rainbows and the polyester monofilament. They are what I quilt with! It’s simply not acceptable to buy a machine this expensive and then to be told it doesn’t like those threads. I change thread colors every few minutes on my art quilts, so I like monofilament in the bobbin and I need to have threading go smoothly! Even using Bottom Line in the bobbin, though, I am having thread issues. If any of you are using these threads successfully, please pass along any tips, usual settings, etc.

50. On July 22nd, 2010 at 9:09 pm Beth Says:

    Yup, one of the few threads that you should not use on the 8 series is Rainbow, so I was told. I use Gutermann and plan to get some Isacord which is actually good for the machine. Dual Coats is not. Rainbow is not.

    I wish they would make an identical 820/830 that had a mechanical threading process. Mechanical is best for all of that. I love the dual feed and could not live without it. Anyway, mine was in the shop, and lo, behold, the upper thread sensor had broken—-it’s replaced and now it works (except for the occasional spool/question mark symbol that stops machine, I push X and it starts again). I still hold my breath for the next thing to go wrong, but so far so good.

51. On July 23rd, 2010 at 5:55 am CJ Says:

    Ladies, this is my old blog and won’t be hosted much longer. Please move the discussion over to “Created by CJ”.

    You’ll find this thread here:
    http://www.createdbycj.com/tinkle-times/2009/6/17/threading-the-bernina-830.html