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Member since 6/30/11
Posts: 105
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Posted on: 7/10/14 9:50 PM ET
I've had this machine about a year and have used it very little. I do my little boy's sleeves and hems and put it away again. It's done a nice job a few times but I find it very hard to use, in every respect. It starts up way too hard and feels quite awkward. When I 'm done with a stitch I always have a big thread snarl that takes forever to undo and calls for endless work with the little red screw driver and the wheel. Most of the seams I've done cannot be removed without a big fight with them - and I've used 4 colors and spent hours with UTube, to no avail. Just now it is constantly breaking thread and now it's consistently breaking needles too. I've tried to love it but I think I hate it. My husband thinks the needles are off center and the needle housing gizmo wiggles. The needles aren't centered in the feed dogs/foot. I have taken it to the dealer and he always says it's fine and it will be for a little while and then mess up again. I think I got a lemon! I really feel like the dealer's a lemon and if it isn't good this time, I've bonded with a dealer I trust more. I won't pass it off without getting everything corrected but I'm really wanting to pass it off!

Does anyone else with a BLCS recognize these problems? Especially the very snarled thread? And if you love your's, what makes you love using it?Please please share!
  
Member since 5/17/12
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Posted on: 7/11/14 1:33 AM ET
Wow, I am so sorry you are having such a problem with your coverstitch machine. I have the same machine and absolutely love it. I have never had any issues with mine and find it super easy to use.
I would be concerned about the needles wiggling - shouldn't be happening. Check to make sure they are inserted correctly and that they are the correct needles.
It also sounds like the tensions could be messed up.
Have you gone through the manual. It is an easy, short read and helps tremendously!
Does your dealer give lessons. Most offer free lessons when you purchase a machine. I would definitely talk with them again and ask if they could sit and go through everything with you, after the machine has been adjusted.
Sometimes a person just does not bond with a machine, for whatever reason. If after trying to solve the issues with the dealer, you still feel this way, trade it for something you can bond with. The frustrations are certainly not worth it.
Good luck



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Sewing is a passion, so calming and rewarding

Janome Horizon MC15000 Quilt Maker
Baby Lock Ovation
Viking Husqvarna Optima 190 Selectronic
Singer 401A
Singer 221 Featherweight
Bernina 830 Record
  
Member since 9/1/08
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Posted on: 7/11/14 3:53 AM ET
I have this machine and it has none of the problems you mention. I agree with Sharon, take it into your dealer and get them to show you how to use it and see if they encounter the problems you describe. If they do, then it's definitely not user error. Not that is sounds like user error, more like there's a tension/timing issue. Hopefully it can be easily fixed.
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
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Posted on: 7/11/14 7:21 AM ET
Just got one and I don't have any of the issues you mention. Are you sure you are using the correct needles? Also to remove I find if I set the stitch length to 4 at the end I can chain off. Love that.
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So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 8/18/02
Posts: 1578
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Posted on: 7/11/14 10:29 AM ET
Be sure you lower the presser foot before stitching.... easy to forget.

My older BLCS doesn't do this stuff either.

Are you using the correct needles? Mine only takes one type.

Also the pressure may be too high and can be adjusted with a screw if I remember correctly.
  
Member since 8/18/02
Posts: 1578
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Posted on: 7/11/14 10:31 AM ET
Bring a sample to the dealer of your problem.

Also -- when you start to stitch you must stitch on fabric but you can chain off at the end.
  
Member since 8/18/02
Posts: 1578
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Posted on: 7/11/14 10:32 AM ET
duplicate post sorry

-- Edited on Today at 10:32 AM --
  
Member since 4/16/14
Posts: 650
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Posted on: 7/11/14 1:04 PM ET
In reply to nestle
Along with all the other great suggestions above, make sure your machine needles are threaded properly. I had problems with this at first because I was doing it wrong. Make sure the thread goes BEHIND the rectangular plate with the circle in the middle just above the needles before you actually bring the thread down to go into the eye of the needle (this is the pretension disc or some such thing). Yes, do start sewing on fabric, and you can chain off at the end unless you are coverstitching in the round. If in the round, then when at a stopping point where you have overlapped the beginning stitches, lift the presser foot and take the pair of tweezers that comes with the machine (closed position) and catch them underneath the presser foot but over the fabric and give a steady tug out toward you pulling both threads about 4 or 5 inches. Cut the threads and then gently pull the fabric from the back out underneath the presser foot until you just have the 1 looper thread still attached. Cut it, and then you should be able to tie off the 3 threads on the wrong side of your fabric. I assume you have looked at Debbie Cook's coverstitching tutorials/tips on the Internet. If not, you should do so as it is a big help. Good Luck! Sorry for the overkill if you have already done all of this.
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Cheryl
"Busy Hands, Happy Heart"
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
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Posted on: 7/11/14 1:21 PM ET
All solid advice. When I first got mine I paid attention to all of this and the machine behaves beautifully. Just got a bundle of knits from Michaels Fabrics and can't wait to start working with it some more!
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So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 5/22/06
Posts: 3084
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Posted on: 7/11/14 1:43 PM ET
I agree with all of the above suggestions. My BLCS is about 7-8 years old, and it's been a real boon to my sewing - both knits and wovens. Don't give up on it! Try everything that's been suggested above. When you've gotten things worked out, you'll be happy you did.
  
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