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Should I Try ELX Needles w/ a Bernina Cover Stitch Machine Skipped stitches & which needle will help
KD in ATL   Intermediate GA USA Member since 4/21/08 Posts: 28	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/17/10 9:04 AM I am getting skipped stitches with my Bernina cover stitch machine (the left needle). I was all set to take it in for servicing when I read that some of you recommend the ELX 705 needles for doing cover stitch. My machine says it uses regular 130/705H needles, but I'm wondering if I should try the ELX?
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6747	Login to reply to this post In reply to KD in ATL Like this post Date: 2/17/10 9:56 AM ELx needles are longer than regular needles, and both my Pfaffs and Babylocks require them for coverstitching. Definitely give them a try & see if that eliminates your skipped stitches. On the Pfaffs and Babylocks I get skipped stitches if I'm coverstitching without an ELx needle. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Doris W. in TN   Intermediate TN USA Member since 2/9/04 Posts: 6741	Login to reply to this post In reply to KD in ATL Like this post Date: 2/17/10 3:03 PM I sat thru a demo yesterday at my Bernina dealer. They use a JL type needle for the coverhem function. I'm not sure who makes it, but I just Googled and it looks like Organ does. The needle looked black, or dark blue, all the way up and down. She said it prevents skipped stitches in the coverhem and that's the only time they put it in the 1300 serger.
Karen31   Advanced USA Member since 1/25/09 Posts: 930	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/18/10 8:46 AM Hmmm. I am thinking that a different length needle is going to affect machine timing... I'd ask first if you have changed the needle lately? It's amazing how much difference a new needle can make, to the naked eye we cannot usually see how damaged one can become but we can certainly see the results of the damage, one being skipped stitches. I always go for the needle recommended by mfctr. first since, as noted, timing can be adversely affected with the wrong one. I see the same thing on Pfaffs, the ELx705 needle makes all the difference in coverstitching - but that's what the instructions say to use and your machine does not. So I'd try the recommended type first. Also what kind of thread are you using? Working for a dealer it was amazing how many times people would bring a machine in, sometimes sewing, often serger, and all we would do was change the thread. Not some high end expensive type, just switch to MaxiLock, no other adjustment, and it was a happy camper. Not all threads are created equal and like needles we cannot necessarily see the difference just looking with the naked eye! Good luck! ------ Karen
Nancy Rhodes   Intermediate OH USA Member since 4/8/02 Posts: 389	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/18/10 8:53 AM DONT use a different needle system than prescribed for your serger. Different styles of needles within that system are OK to experiment with... but your Bernina could be damaged by that too-long EL needle. Needle styles and sizes like stretch or eye-size for larger threads, or finer shaft for delicates are a good thing to experiment with for better stitching results. But stick to the 'system' your machine (any machine for that matter) was designed to use. I like Schmetz and Organ needles. Best advice I read here so far was try a new needle. That said, also make sure it is properly seated (ie all the way inserted up there). Let us know how this is resolved... ------ ... cleverly disguised as a responsible adult!
KD in ATL   Intermediate GA USA Member since 4/21/08 Posts: 28	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/18/10 8:53 AM Doris, thanks for the info about JL needles. And krothwolff, I did think about the timing question and was going to hand walk the machine through some stitches to make sure it would work. But I think the safest thing to do at this point is to talk to the dealer about both types of needles to see what they say. I did actually change both needles recently (using the kind specified in the manual), and I do use MaxiLock thread in the looper, although I sometimes use regular sewing thread in the needles (for color purposes).
Doris W. in TN   Intermediate TN USA Member since 2/9/04 Posts: 6741	Login to reply to this post In reply to Nancy Rhodes Like this post Date: 2/18/10 9:35 AM Quote: Nancy Rhodes .... also make sure it is properly seated (ie all the way inserted up there). Last summer, after owning & using my Bernina 2000DE serger for fifteen years, I was getting some skipped stitches. I called my dealer and he suggested the same thing. Voila! Problem fixed. In all those years of changing needles, that was the first time I failed to get the needle all the way up into it's slot.
Doris W. in TN   Intermediate TN USA Member since 2/9/04 Posts: 6741	Login to reply to this post In reply to Karen31 Like this post Date: 2/18/10 9:37 AM Quote: krothwolff Working for a dealer it was amazing how many times people would bring a machine in, sometimes sewing, often serger, and all we would do was change the thread. I'll bet you could write a book about your experiences. Were they using a really awful cheap thread? I have used everyday sewing thread, even Mettler 60/2 wt cotton thread, in my serger and never had a problem. The only thing it balked at is silk thread, but I finally coaxed my serger into cooperating.
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6747	Login to reply to this post In reply to KD in ATL Like this post Date: 2/18/10 9:52 AM The Bernina 009DCC uses ELx or JLx needles for coverstitching, to eliminate skipping stitches. -- Edited on 2/18/10 10:04 AM -- ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Karen31   Advanced USA Member since 1/25/09 Posts: 930	Login to reply to this post In reply to Doris W. in TN Like this post Date: 2/18/10 11:04 AM Quote: Doris W. in TN [quote]Working for a dealer it was amazing how many times people would bring a machine in, sometimes sewing, often serger, and all we would do was change the thread. I'll bet you could write a book about your experiences. Were they using a really awful cheap thread? I have used everyday sewing thread, even Mettler 60/2 wt cotton thread, in my serger and never had a problem. The only thing it balked at is silk thread, but I finally coaxed my serger into cooperating. [/quote] It is always entertaining to work with the public. You learn a lot about people. And yourself. And self restraint The threads you mention are all good. Sometimes it would look like decades (ok, very old) serger thread or cone thread rescued from a factory. Or the really cheap spools that can be found in a bin at chain stores. Or on a sm think anything from thread on wooden spools to, again, the really cheap stuff found 5/$1 or something like that at J's. And not every machine was as sensitve, I've had people say their machine didn't work well with this or that but mine same make/model was fine with virtually anything. I just recall having just learned about slubby thread, short fiber thread, how damaged old thread can become when a customer, rather disgruntled, came in with her mom's old old Kenmore which she'd gotten out of storage and just had serviced. It wasn't stitching right. We removed the thread which appeared to be about as old as the machine, popped on a new spool, and it was perfect. She became a very good customer and friend. Sometimes it's so easy to make people happy and you're a hero! I forgot to mention as others have to be sure the needle is inserted all the way too. I went to a friend's home who was growing very frustrated with her serger and after checking thread, threading, I placed a fingernail on the needle tip(s), loosened screw, pushed a bit to see if it would go in further (yes, just a tiny bit), perfect. ------ Karen

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