by annag 07 Nov 2011

Hi everyone....I'm new here and have a question. I have a Bernina 200/730. I've had it since June...long story short, yesterday attempted my second design from "My Designs"....during the short

process, it broke 4 needles, 2 were clean breaks...2 were curled...(a new event in my book)...I'm not sure what happened. The thread kept unwinding and
getting very tight which also made it very tight in the area in front where you thread down and up through the loop then down to the needle...typing this I can see that would cause needle breakage...question is, how do I keep the thread on the spool...what spool cap do I use and is it here that I would use the little nets? Do you run the thread through a hole in the net or out the top? (I am new to machine embroidery - JUST in case you couldn't tell.) My next step is to take it in for repair - I don't want to have to do that. Thanks for any help you can offer. Anna

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by mana 07 Nov 2011

Welcome to the group!

1 comment
annag by annag 08 Nov 2011

I want to thank everyone for their wonderful and adept responses.....I'm going to rethread, and try the suggestions....you guys are all just great!!!! I'll let everyone know how it goes. Hugs, Anna

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by almag 07 Nov 2011

Oh, and I forgot..... when you are threading your machine always have the presser foot up. That releases the tension discs and the thread can run through them and the uptake lever quite easily.

Then, if your machine has an automatic needle threader, once the thread is ready to be threaded through the needle, put the presser foot down and that will hold the thread steady while the needle threader does its job.
AlmaG.

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by almag 07 Nov 2011

About the nets..... I have nets on most of my spools, to keep the threads from unwinding when not in use, but when I'm using the spool I normally double the net back so it's only half way up the spool, or I take it off completely. The thread can get caught on the tiny pointy cut edges of the nets and shred the thread, but it can also retard the smooth running of the thread from the spool. Don't thread the thread (big grin) through any of the small holes in the net.
AlmaG.

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by darmoola 07 Nov 2011

Welcome to the group. There are many wonderful people with lots of experience and ideas! I have a Bernina 730. The first thing you need to do is make sure your using the GOLD bobbin case. Make sure you have the bobbin in properly and you wind some of the thread arond the swirley thing. Also, check the throat plate. The Bernina 200/730 has 3 different ones. I mainly use the standard one eventhough you can purchase one made special for embroidery. Good Luck!

1 comment
annag by annag 08 Nov 2011

I'm using thegold bobbin case...for sure. . .and have the thread through "the swirly thing" (LOL) (they called it a pigtail...pretty apt don'tcha think)....I just got one throat plate...but may look into the embroidery plate. Going to try some of the suggestions here and see what happens....hopefully it will all culminate in a beautiful embroidery piece. Thanks so much.

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by vickiannette 07 Nov 2011

Are you using the 'pre-wound' bobbin? Try one, sometimes helps. When I first started [had a pfaff 2140] I was hooping too tightly, caused a lot of breaks in thread and needle. When learning, I found it an advantage to use medium weight woven fabric and fairly cheap tear-away stabilizer. Also may help to reduce tension on your machine. (not on Bobbin -leave that to the expert)

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by mysugarfootswife 07 Nov 2011

Try a universal thread holder thing behind the machine. Not ON the machine. Works wonders.

1 comment
awesome1 by awesome1 07 Nov 2011

yes, or put the spool in a jar and let it feed up thru the machine.

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by theduchess 07 Nov 2011

Anna welcome to our group.you'll find a lot of very helpful members here.

1 comment
annag by annag 07 Nov 2011

Thank you sooo much. My Sister visits here regularly and said what a great group you guys are - and I would get good sound advice...so far...great....and many thanx again.

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by devon 07 Nov 2011

See you have some answers, just wanted to welcome you to cute. This is a great place and people really nice and helpful. DeVon

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by smburt 07 Nov 2011

Hello, sis, welcome to the site. Hope you got the answer you needed, because we had a horrible time yesterday.

1 comment
annag by annag 07 Nov 2011

Thank you my dear and thank you for suggesting this....lots of good feed back and things to try.

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by shirlener88 07 Nov 2011

Anna, WELCOME to the CUTE family and embroidery - I do believe that you should go to wherever you bought your machine and get a couple basic lessons on the use of your machine - everyone of us were new to this - at one time or the other and there is nothing wrong with asking for help and most dealers will assist you - espeailly if you bought the machine from them. I received 3 lessons on the use of my machine and equipment and they helped me more than you can ever imagine - I could have never done it on my own.

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by jrob Moderator 07 Nov 2011

hmmmm, try a spool cap just larger than the spool that you are using. Also make sure that there is NOT a slit cut in the top of the spool that is used to hold the thread from unraveling on the end where the thread is leaving the spool. In other words, if there is a slit, put it on your spool holder first. Using a cap larger than your spool can also take care of this problem, but still move the slit to away from the unwinding thread area.
It could be lots of other things, but from your description, this is my best guess.;)
P.S. I only use nets on metallic thread but in the event you want to use them, the thread comes out the top.

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by bikermomfl 07 Nov 2011

Not sure but it almost sounds as if your bobbin is in backwards. Have you checked it? I know on my husqvarna when it acts silly, I simply unthread the whole thing and rethread and for some reason it's all reset and ready to go. Also make sure that you top thread isn't catching on the little slit on the spool. If that happens it'll break the thread and your needle and scare the dickens out of you at the same time. Hang in there one of us cuties will save the day! Welcome and hang on help is comin' ;-)

2 comments
annag by annag 07 Nov 2011

You sound as though you were there with Susan and I when the events took place...it did, it scared us silly - well, sillier. I rechecked my threading on the top and of the bobbin but it's that little slit that has me wondering now since several of you have mentioned it.

darmoola by darmoola 07 Nov 2011

Make sure your using the GOLD bobbin case. Very important when doing embroidery.

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by asterixsew Moderator 07 Nov 2011

Welcome to Cute, sounds like you have been having a awful time with your machine. I dont have a Bernina but someone will be along who does and will offer you the advice you urgently need

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