Resolving Sewing Machine Problems

Bernina

activa 125 (PG. 6-7)

Clean, oil, and care for the machine

• 1 st step to any machine maintenance is to turn the power off.

• Use a brush to remove any lint • To clean the upper area of the machine it helps to remove the presser foot, needle, and stitch plate.

• Our machines are equipped with a low mass hook that does not require oil. If you do use oil to clean the machine, be sure to run the sewing machine on scrap fabric to avoid getting the oil on your projects.

• To clean the screen wipe with a damp cloth. Never use alcohol or any type of solvent to clean the sewing computer.

Resolving machine problems

• If you are having any problems always check the following: – Machine is threaded correctly – Needle is inserted correctly – Needle size is correct – Sewing computer is clean – Hook race is clean – Check for threads trapped between the tension discs or under the bobbin case

If your upper thread breaks…

• The upper tension may be too tight • The needle may be old or poor quality • The needle may be blunt or bent • You may have poor quality thread • Machine may not be properly threaded

If your lower thread breaks:

• Lower tension may be too tight • The bobbin is jamming in the bobbin case…it may not have been threaded and inserted correctly • The stitch plate may be damaged • The needle is blunt or bent • The thread might be caught in the bobbin cover door

Skipped stitches…

• Wrong needle • Needle is blunt, bent, or incorrectly inserted.

• The needle is not the right needle for the fabric.

– Knits: Ball Point – Heavy fabrics like denim: Sharp needle – Woven or natural fibers: Universal

Needle breaks

• Needle clamp screw may have been loose • Fabric taken out in front instead of behind the presser foot • Fabric was pushed or pulled while sewing • Poor quality thread

• • • • • •

Other problems:

If the needle comes unthreaded at the beginning of a row of stitching the take-up lever may not have been at the highest point If the thread knots up on the underside of the fabric when beginning to stitch try holding the threads under and back when you start If the stitches are not balanced check the bottom and top tension If the fabric doesn’t move be sure the presser foot is down and the feed dogs are up If the machine won’t work, be sure it is plugged in, the foot pedal is attached, and the bobbin winder is in the “off” position.

If your stitching puckers make sure the needle is not bent or blunt. Check the thread tension

Thread

• Standard thread is all purpose/cotton wrapped polyester • Specialty threads: quilting, heavy duty, embroidery, metallic, etc. • Serger thread is lighter weight than standard sewing machine threads • Quality thread prevents stitching problems

Sergers

• Identify – needle stitch plate – feed dogs/system – presser foot – spool pin – thread tensions – presser foot lever/lifter – foot pedal – handwheel – stitch length control – stitch width control – and upper/lower knives

Sergers

• Demonstrate how to replace a needle and how to turn the hand wheel with sewing, • Identify safety precautions and procedures when working with a serger • Clean, oil, and care for serger according to machine manual • Always remember to leave a “tail” when using a serger to prevent the needles from coming unthreaded.