Jeff’s Tech Tips for Bernina Owners

This is the first of many support articles that I will be making on Bernina Lady’s blog. The idea of these is to assist you to enjoy your sewing rather than getting annoyed at your machine. If you have any particular questions, please feel free to email Jeanne. I will not be going into minute detail but will be giving you the assistance that you require.

Today I will talk about needles. There are many different types, sizes and configurations. In spite of the fact I have been repairing machines for many years, I still find there are new ones being produced each year. When will it stop?

So which one do I use?

This can be broken down into a few general areas.
1. The point.
2. Size.
3. Specialty.

The point:
This is directly related to the type of fabric that you are working with. Cotton for example you would use a “Universal” or sharp point needle.

The knitted fabrics require a “Ball” point. Has nothing to do with your trusty Biro. However it has a rounded (ball) point that allows the point to separate the fibers rather that snagging and “pulling” your fabric. Helps to avoid skipping on these fabrics as well.
Leathers need a chisel point. These actually cut the hole as they pass through the material. This allows the needle and thread to withdraw from the material without excess “tenting”

Size:
Generally the heavier the material and thread the larger the needle. If in doubt go to a larger size. The lighter fabrics however only need a very small size #11. This reduces the final hole left in the seam.

As a general guide, a loose needle threaded on to a vertical length of thread should slide easily to the bottom.

Specialty:
Normally you will be guided by the point style, however there are other choices. Twin needles, spring. for example. The Spring needle is designed to assist with quilting, monogramming etc.

There you are folks. My first attempt. Next time I won’t be so long winded. I promise. If you have any suggestions that you would like addressed please ask. There are a few more points that I will make later on needles. In the mean time Happy Sewing.

From the work bench of Jeff, technical support for The Bernina Lady

How to Service Your Bernina Machine

The Bernina Lady has a local, Bernina-trained technican to service your machines. Jeff, our service tech, has many years experience on all makes and models of sewing machines. The Bernina Lady and her technician work together to make sure that any problems you might have are addressed in a timely matter.

Arrangements can be made for The Bernina Lady to pick up your machine when she is in your area, bring it for servicing and return it to you on her return trip.

If you purchased a machine from The Bernina Lady and your machine is going to be gone from you for longer than two weeks then a loaner will be left with you. It may not be the same model that you have been working with but your feet and accessories will fit the loaner machine.

Please note that I advise all my girls to keep their boxes in case they have to be shipped. Bernina packages your machines in such a way that they can drop from a height of 10 feet and still be fine.

Should you wish your machine serviced in a hurry, arrangements can be made for that as well. Please call or e-mail to make special arrangements.

If you have another type of machine, other than Bernina, please contact Jeanne directly. Jeff can service your machine for you, arrangements are just different.

Top 5 Books on Machine Quilting

There are quite a few books on quilting, but some are especially helpful to anyone who is looking for tips, tricks and good reading.

Bernina Lady recommends the following:

1. All about Machine Arts, Decorative Techniques from A-Z (C&T Publishing)
2. Easy Machine Quilting (Jane Townswick, Editor – A Rodale Quilt Book)
3. Gaudynski’s Machine Quilting Guidebook (Diane Gaudynski – American Quilter’s Society)
4. Machine Quilting Made Easy (Maurine Noble – The Joy of Quilting)
5. Machine Quilting with Decorative Threads (Maurine Noble & Elizabeth Hendrick – Martingale Publications)

All books are available online and can be ordered through Bernina Lady Resources.