I have always threaded with the foot up.

Yes you must thread the machinde with the pressure foot up but you can lower it when it comes to threading the needle.

Have been threading Berninas for 15 yrs so had to think about how I do it. I thread the machine itself with presser foot up, then put presser foot down to thread needle only. No problems.

Every machine since the beginning has to have the presser foot up when threading. Stop and think about it. When the foot is down the discs are tight together for tension. The thread can't get in between them. Raise the foot and they open and the thread goes in between. Then when you lower the foot to sew you have tension on the thread and all is happy. This is every machine out there.

ditto here and I have a Bernina. I normally thread my needle with the foot up, but sometimes these old eyes have days they don't always seem to work and I drop the pressure foot to thread the needle if I can't get it done on a couple of tries. BUT I always have a long enough string of thread to do so, just a habit and never though about it. I don't think I was ever told anything about that.However I was once told by a dealer that when you are removing a bobbin with thread still on it to change to a different color, you should NOT pull the thread though backwards, but take the bobbin out first leaving a long string of thread coming out of the bobbin and clip the thread next to the bobbin, so as not to mess up the tension on the bobbin, which does make sense, and to not remove the spool of thread through the machine with the presser foot down, because this can mess up the tension on the top. Both make sense to me. Does anyone else do this?

It is if the Needle is in its highest position that makes the tension discs in the right place. However, I also ~~though it is awkward~~ thread my needle with the pressure foot raised. Quirky but it works.

But :-( making the timing off because you don't raise the pressure foot when threading... that does seem strange!!!

Maybe this is why I have loose thread on the arm that goes up and down? I'll have to try threading with the foot up and see if this helps me - thanks!

If you thread with the foot down, the tension disc is closed and the threads can't get between them, and there won't be any tension on the thread, causing a mess when you start to sew. When the presser foot is up, the thread GOES between the discs and when the foot is lowered, the correct tension is put on the thread to form a correct stitch. This goes for ANY machine - not just a Bernina.

Huh! Maybe that's why I've been having problems with my Bernina. I bought a gently used 440EE Aurora right after Christmas. Most of the time, the tension is fine, but not always. That may be when I threading it with the foot down. I'll give it a try.....
Thanks
Lindakaycat

Foot down, no problems.

I think I have read all of the responses to this. I may have the answer for you, which I didn't see addressed in any of the responses. I have a Bernina 440QE. Even though I thread the machine with the pressure foot in up position, I had the same thing happen as mentioned above. At first, I thought I really screwed something up. Took it in to the shop to make sure I didn't break something. Nothing found wrong. Brought it home. Worked fine. And, then it did it again (The "needle hitting bobbin case noise). Well,,,,,,,,,I figured out by accident what I was doing wrong. (At least, in my case, as I don't have this problem anymore). For some reason, I was not always lowering the pressure foot prior to lowering needle to pick up the bobbin thread (push of a button. Not by turning the wheel by hand). No excuse for me. I don't know why or how I started doing this from time to time. But,,,,,I never do it anymore. If that pressure foot is not in the down position when you lower the needle to pick up the bobbin thread,,,,,, the needle can and probably will hit the bobbin casing (not having pressure foot down must cause the "timing issue", which seems to auto correct itself when starting over and doing it correctly). Anyway, that is what worked for me and I have not had a single problem ever since. If I am found to be "off base" on this,,,let me know.

I have never heard of having the presser foot up while threading a bernina. I have the Bernina 730..and when I thread it and the presser foot is up..the screen flashes a message to put the foot down.

When threading the "upper part of machine", the instructions say to have the "pressure foot" in the up position (to release the tension). When threading the needle, the pressure foot can be up or down. What I found out, however, was that when you go to pick up the bobbin thread the first time "after" threading the needle,,,, the pressure foot needs to be in the "down position". Is that when your machine flashes the message on the screen?..Maybe, it is reminding you to put the "foot" down before trying to pick up the bobbin thread? So that your needle does not hit the bobbin casing. Apparently, at least on my model 440QE,,,putting that pressure foot in the down position somehow engages parts in the bobbin area, as well as the tension in the upper part of machine. If the foot is not in the down position when you lower needle into the bobbin area, it will not work in "sinc". And, that seems to be when the needle hits the bobbin case. Hello out there all of you techy, service type persons. What say you?????

Thank you for your messages. We all have our ways of threading a machine. I happen to leave pressure foot down as I thread machine just to have a little resistance. Once thread is through needle, I'll raise pressure foot and take both top thread and bobbin together pulling both threads together which allows thread to seat in tention discs, then lower pressure foot and cut both threads on thread cutter.

Being told that I am actually damaging the mechanisms in the sewing machine (or loosening screws internally) by having the pressure foot down while threading is hogwash. I'm not talking about loose threads or skipped stitches. I talking about my needle breaking because it is hitting metal inside the machine.(and this happens after using it for a couple of hrs. after servicing..3+ times in 3 weeks). I have called other dealers since this posting who confirm there is a problem with my machine not a pressure foot up/down threading issue. They didn't know where the problem was without seeing the machine, but to fix the timing over and over again isn't the answer. Thank you for supporting "common sense".

Well, I totally disagree. I can't thread my machine with the presser foot up. It will only work with the foot down. My suggestion: Pull the thread all the way thru the system with the foot up and then just before you get ready to put it thru the needle then put the foot down. Then you aren't doing any unnecessary pulling on the thread once it's in the discs. Just a suggestion. This is how it works on my machine.

I agree 100%. I have a Bernina and two Janomes. I was taught to thread them with the presser feet up and you can feel the how much easier it is to do it with the feet up.

I inherited a Bernina and it is only 7 yrs old. I couldn't use it so I took it to a Bernina shop to have it checked out, 3 months ago! I call once a week and one of the ladies who answers the phone can be very rude. I am trying to be patient. I was told it would take less than 5 days. then got a call that one board was on back order, then I called and was told yes it works but the light won't go on, did it when you had it, well how would I know, it didn't work. So I called a week later, oh I fixed it, I had inadvertantly cut a wire, I said good can I come get it? No I broke a cable and it's on back order. I asked couldn't you just take one from a machine in the store and replace it when the cable comes in. She said yes. I called 2 weeks later, is it ready yet? No she replaced the cable now it won't do anything so she needs to talk to the factory!!!!!

Now I asked, can I trade it in? Well no one knows because the lady that takes care of that isn't in right now! If my machine were in the store I would pick it up and take it elsewhere, but right now it isn't and I'm so bummed. I just want my maching back!!!!

Sorry I just needed to vent. It's snowing again.......I could be sewing!!!!

I have a Bernina 440QE and didn't know this! Will have to be sure I do it the right way from now on. If the teacher in the "get to know the machine class" mentioned this I must have been asleep and totally missed it! Thanks for the tip.

I disagree also. We are talking about tention, not brakes. We are using thread, not force.

The dealer where I bought my Berninina told us that in class. She also told us to never pull cut thread thru the needle to discard. [ We are doing embroidary] but to cut by the spool and under the foot and pull it back.

Now that is funny. At class I was told that on the new Bernina 830s, the really pricey one, you clip the thread and pull it through the needle, NEVER backwards. I thought 'that is ridiculous' :!: If machines are getting that touchy it's time to stick with the vintage machines. I want a machine I can enjoy; not fuss and worry over. I do own two Berninas and love them.

Janet, I don't know why but your comment made me laugh. Those flashing screens on my Bernina Artista are helpful many times but usually they make me laugh. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I thread with the pressure foot up. Also, when you exchange the top thread, our Bernina dealer taught us to cut it and pull it out the way it should go, rather than backward. Also, same suggestion for the bobbin thread. Cut it and then pull the tail out the way it usually runs through the bobbin. Saves the tension. I'm usually pretty lucky by followling their suggestions.

Surprise of surprises....I bought a Singer (the one that has an extra length table for quilting) $299 on sale to keep at my daughter's home in No. Carolina. I didn't want to travel with my Bernina unnecessarily. It sews almost like the Bernina. I'm very careful though. I clean all the dust out faithfully. No one else is allowed to use it (perhaps one of her friends) without proper instruction.
I tried to finish a quilt on it, and realized I needed my Bernina to do it. Somehow the Singer wouldn't cooperate. But I have really given it a good go and am pleased.

Exactly - the manual with my latest machine says you need to thread the machine with the pressure foot UP so that the discs are open to accept the thread - and on this one machine (Brother) it said not doing so could actually prevent it from sewing because of all of the sensors built into it - if it doesn't feel that thread the proper place in the discs, it isn't threaded according to the machine. I never thought about it before that but since then I make sure to have the pressure feet open on all of my machines and I also apply a little finger tension on each end of the thread to be sure they are in the discs and they have been stitching great!
Marysewfun

I don't know about Bernina, but I don't how you would get it properly threaded through the tension discs with the pressure foot down, unless you put it down AFTER you put the thread through the tension discs. Although I don't understand how threading it that way would screw up the timing.

Yeah, I was told never to pull it out backwards either - by the guy who repairs the machines. I'm listening to that!

My Bernina is older and I always thread needle with foot down. I would have hard time seeing the opening otherwise. It doen't have a lot of fancy stitches more basic don't know if that makes a difference

If you mean the openingin the needle - I thread my machine with the pressure foot up - but when I thread the needle, I drop the foot then (unless it has an automatic threader).

I have a BabyLock Surger and it did come with a warning to never tread with the pressure foot down. I have been looking at buying a Bernina 830 I have an Artista 200 and a 1080s right now. They also warned me about the pressure foot when I demoed the machine and also that you can never pull the thread out backward it will break the sensor. You have to cut it at the thread and pull it through with the pressure foot up. I have realized that these new machines do so much more but they have a lot more to go wrong with them. I still am planning to purchase a 830 in the next six months I have been saving all my pennies.

I turned mine off

Thanks for the question Blisterful....I have learned something new. I always threaded my machine with the pressure foot up, but I never knew that there was a preferred way to do it. Thanks ladies for the info?

Yes, I was talking about the needle, but I don't put the foot down until after I thread the machine I guess I forgot to mention that.

Exactly. When threading machine and therefore sliding the thread though the tension discs, need the presser foot up so the tension discs are not engaged. When threading the needle, especially with the auto threader on my Bernina, the presser foot needs to be down...in fact it beeps if I try it the other way. 8-)

I have a HusqueVarna, a Singer, a Brother, and a Juki. All the manuals say to thread the machine with the pressure foot UP to eliminate pressure on the tension discs. I was taught in Home Economics 55 years ago to thread this way, also.

An additional tidbit, when you take your spool off of your machine cut the thread ( by spool) and pull the thread throug the tension discs. I always would grab the spool and pull the thread out... I was told that this will harm the tension on my bedbugs

My viking is the same way...If you don't thread with foot up it can really throw it out of wack...especially the tension...

I have threaded with the foot down, but I always have quite a bit of thread length pulled out before I even think of threading. Will have to pay more attention to this though and see if it makes a difference. thanks for the hint.

I would find another repair person. My Bernina 430QE is 6 years old and runs great! I also thread the needle with the foot down because it is easier for me to see the hole. Sorry you are going through so much trouble

:(

It seems we are talking about different things as far as foot up and down. Threading as far as going FROM THE SPOOL and through the tension discs, foot up. Thread THROUGH THE NEEDLE'S EYE - once you have it that far, then you CAN put the foot down. I agree it's easier to see and keeps some tension on the thread so the needle threader works better.