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Threading the Bernina 830

June17

I belong to a couple of Yahoo groups for the Bernina 830, and a common thread on the groups is people having trouble with their thread tension. I think by now everyone knows that when threading the machine, to wait until the thread needle light comes on after the machine recognizes it’s being threaded, or to wait until it’s done making it’s clicking noises as it sets up.

What I’m not sure everyone is aware of, is the last two thread guides above the needle. The very last one is obvious, you can see my thread passing through it. But there is another one just before it, indicated by the orange arrow. If you skip this one, not only can it throw your tension off, but when you thread the needle the thread sometimes gets sucked back up into the machine.

I hope that helps someone. My dealer was terrific about making absolutely sure I was comfortable threading the machine before I walked out of the store, since she’s 190 miles away!

posted under Bernina, Sewing

26 Comments to

“Threading the Bernina 830”

On June 17th, 2009 at 6:42 am Vicki Says:
I love all you do for this list!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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
On June 19th, 2009 at 8:06 pm CJ Says:
I use Photoshop Pam. But any paint or drawing program can do that.
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
On July 15th, 2009 at 5:08 am CJ Says:
Renee, what size/type needle were you using with those threads?
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 .
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!
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?
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?
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 [...]
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?
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?
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
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
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.