Where have you been all of my life? Ha! Never have I gotten such a thorough explanation of the threading for my 880. I love knowing why something works or what it does. Who knew why anyone would want to quilt with the Wonderfil 100-weight. THANK YOU!!! You are truly exceptional.
Thank you, thank you. Your presentations are the clearest, most well articulated videos ever. It is so nice to have techniques, feet and popular threads demonstrated on an 880. Your videos have changed my life with my 880.
Thank-you so much! Brand new machine and no in person classes due to Covid. I’m starting an appliqué quilt and needed help learning the clear thread. Your video was very helpful and appreciated!
Dunno if you guys gives a damn but if you're bored like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all the latest series on instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my brother during the lockdown :)
Ok, I called my dealer and got the scoop on where to get the Horizonatal Spool Holder. It is from Brewer, part number HTH and not from BERNINA. Sorry for any confusion. My dealer always has them in stock hanging near the other BERNINA supplies so I just assumed it was from BERNINA. You know where assuming gets me.
Thank you for another great video! Will you please make one on doing bobbin work on the 880. I am not sure about adjusting the bobbin tension to use all the different types of threads & fibers with this technique.
Linda, I will be happy to video bobbin work. Great suggestion! It will be a few weeks until it comes to the top of my to do list but keep watching and I will get it posted. Thanks.
Just a note to all. The door does not have to be off to thread. I just did not take the time to put it back after showing how to remove it while making the video.
Thank you so much for this extremely helpful video. I am taking the expensive Bernina Cosmos class which has a section on sewing invisible thread, but very little guidance is provided. I've been struggling to sew with it and am so happy I found you! I've subscribed and liked the video which should help you earn some payback for your service. Thanks again! Question, do you adjust your thread tension when using monofilament in the upper and a heavier weight like Isacord in the bobbin?
Kim, Always test your tension on a similar sample piece. Any tension that makes a nice stitch is the correct tension. By that I mean do not worry if you are changing the upper tension number to very low or very high. If the stitch looks great then that is the correct number for your fabric thread and needl combination. I do not change the bobbin tension for normal stitching.
Jules, On the 8 series machines the tensions open when the threading button is pushed and the light on the button is on. The presser foot is automatically lowered as part of the threading sequence but the process is also opening the tensions and lowering the take up lever for threading. After putting the thread in place you touch the lit button and hear the tensions close and the take up lever rasing into position. On all other machines you must raise the presser foot manually for threading which does open the tension.
I just found your videos! Thank you thank you! I will try your method today. One question or problem I have had I wonder if you might have a solution for and that is using metallic thread on the 8 series machines. I’ve just not found a solution and it’s very frustrating. I liked your Facebook page so I can filling your knowledge!
Becky, I love metallic thread for both decorative stitches and machine emboridery. That being said the only brand I have used is from Superior Threads. That just happens to be what I own. I know I have to use a 90/14 topstitch or metallic needle so that it has plenty of room to run through the eye. You might need to slow down the speed of the machine. Try threading like I show in the video so that you are assured it is seated in the tension correctly. I have no affiliation with Superior Threads. That is what my local quilt store carries and so I have a collection of several colors. Another thing to try is turning the spool you have over so that it is run from the opposite side of the spool. Thread has a twist and it runs better one way or the other. Good luck!
I do change the tension any time it needs it. I find monofilament and really thin threads often need a much lower upper neelde tension. Do not worry about the number on the tension if the stitch is beautiful I have used lower than 1 before. The mai thing is to test test test until you get the results you like.
Wonderful video, thank you. I spent most of yesterday fighting with Invisifil on my Bernina 770, specifically with thread breakage. Thanks to your video I realize that neither the Invisafil nor my machine were the problem. I had tried multiple solutions, but am still having problems with thread breakage, and I'm hoping you can help me. Should I be threading my 770 with Aurifil 50 and Invisifil together, as you did? Do I need to use a shorter stitch length, as one site recommended (I had started at 2.5 but this site recommended 1.5)? I used multiple needles, all recommended by the Wonderful site, but only the Topstitch 80 allowed me to do one row of ditching without breaking. My tension on felt (3 pieces together) looked fine; because of that I didn't adjust tension. I used the felt because I was working on a flannel quilt, 2 layers of flannel with the lightest Quilter's Dream batting. I tried multiple bobbin threads, starting with Aurifil 50, then DecoBob, and now Invisafil. I'm thinking now that the initial threading is the problem, and will try your double method. Lastly, do you use the automatic thread cutter and the thread knotters (beginning and ending) with Invisifil? Thanks so much for reading this long note. Yesterday was beyond frustrating but I'm going to try again with your techniques. By the way, I had completely cleaned and oiled the machine before starting the quilting.
Ellen, Sorry you had a fight on your hands. I hate it when that happens. Here is what I would try. Make sure your foot is up when threading which opens the upper tension. I hold the thread in my right hand and thread with my left and then "floss my thread" meaning after I have threaded the entire machine I give it a slight back and forth between my hands. Then I thread the eye of the needle. This makes me know the thread is in the tension and take-up lever. I thread this way with all threads on all machines other than the 8 series. I do use an 80 or 90 topstitch needle with the Invisifil. In fact many of the very small threads like topstitch needles. It doesn't seem right but it works. Lower your tension. You may have to lower it a lot, (2.5?). It does not matter how low the tension is if the stitch is formed correctly and the thread does not break. Go down as far as you need to get the best results. Write all of your settings and needle sizes down in a sewing notebook or on a slip of paper you keep with your Invisifil thread so next time you can start from that point. Once you get the tension correct any stitch length should be fine so choose the length you like and fine-tune the tension again from there. Hope this helps. Shelly
Shelly, great video, do you also lower your top tension? I also used a thread net for my small Invisifil spool, helped a lot. Thanks for the info on the needle size as well. Just curious about the tension.
Sometimes I lower the top tension. I use any tension number that makes the stitch perfect with the project materials. Changing tension on a BERNINA is easy and part of total stitch control.
Thanks for your tips. I'm having trouble with invisible thread catching on the small arm that sits below the bobbin case. This arm(don't know what it is called) has two very small screws at the end and the invisible thread catches right at the tip and gets imbedded there. After a few more stitches the thread breaks. Oops too late, I have no idea when it decides to do this, just a slight slow down and short stitches. Any advice on top tension setting or other adjustments for invisible thread? Also, I'm doing very tight stitches to begin and end seams, and when trying to turn corners. Would changing stitch lengths have an effect on the thread tensioning while its in the bobbin case?
Joan, So sorry you are having trouble. I would have your tech take a look. Maybe sit and stitch at your dealers with your machine to cause exactly what the problem is while you are there. It might help them help you. I run monofilament and 100 weight very often in both the bottom and top so your machine can accomplish this goal. Best to you, Shelly
Thanks @@SewShelly, I got it working! Top tension 1.75 and bottom tension one click to the right. I did change over to The Bottom Line by Superior in the bobbin and loaded the top thread with a net and fed it through the metal loop of the thread lubricator (but not the sponge)after the thread stand. Sort of overkill, eh? Maybe the new tension settings alone would have done it.
Shelly - I ;just found your video, and it is awesome. I have an 880AE, and cannot seem to use Invisifill in the bobbin. When I wind it on the bobbin, the bobbin actually seems to expand laterally - it gets wider, and then just jams in the bobbin case (I have had to go to the dealer to get it out; and they said to use an opened paper clip to pry it out in the future if it jams. This pretty much destroys the bobbin itself. Do you have any bobbin winding tips for monofilament thread? Thanks so much for your insights.
Jean, I am sorry to say that I have no idea of what is going on. I use invisifill on the bobbin much of the time and don't change anything when I wind. That being said try slowing your bobbin winder down to really really slow or try not putting the thread in the tensioner and hold it with your fingers instead while it is running slow. Not sure this will help but it what I would try in your situation.
Sew Shelly Quilts - Thanks so much for your reply. I will try your suggestions. I really hate these flimsy bobbins. I don’t see how Bernina can offer such fragile bobbins at $5+ per bobbin, and the silver rubs off after a few weeks (and I AM careful in using and storing them). Do you have any advice regarding how to re-silver or keep them from scratching? People say spray with fixative or use clear nail polish, but I’d be terrified to put a bobbin with that on it in my machine.
Where have you been all of my life? Ha! Never have I gotten such a thorough explanation of the threading for my 880. I love knowing why something works or what it does. Who knew why anyone would want to quilt with the Wonderfil 100-weight. THANK YOU!!! You are truly exceptional.
So glad to be of help. I LOVE 100 weight. Ditching with heavier threads drives me crazy.
Thank You for this tutorial. I couldn’t get my 830LE to work with invisible thread. Your videos are so helpful
Thank you, thank you. Your presentations are the clearest, most well articulated videos ever. It is so nice to have techniques, feet and popular threads demonstrated on an 880. Your videos have changed my life with my 880.
Barbara, Thank you for your encouraging words. I love the 880 and am so glad to help you love yours. They are really great machines.
Wonderful camera work Assistant. This is the very best help anyone could provide on this topic!
Learned a few new tips! Great video!
I always learn sewwww much from you!!! Thank you sewwww much!!!!
OMG!! Thanks so much for this great video. I learned so much about threading
Thanks for letting me know. Have fun!
The information tips were invaluable!
Thank you.
I learned something new today
Thank you Shelly!!!
You are so welcome!
Would like a video on using metallic thread.
After watching the correct method for invisible thread i was able to follow this to great success ❤️
Thank-you so much! Brand new machine and no in person classes due to Covid. I’m starting an appliqué quilt and needed help learning the clear thread. Your video was very helpful and appreciated!
I am very interested in this! Thanks for posting....
Thanks you, great information. My 880 didn’t like Sulky at all, but Gutterman did fine. Never knew what that bar was for, know I know.
Thank you so much for this video. I have always struggled monofilament until now.
I am so glad you found this helpful. Thanks for letting me know!
Denise, Hurray! I love the 8 series. You just have to know how to use it. Happy stitching.
Thank you so very much. Great video! I feel I finally understand the threading system of my 880 Plus.
Dunno if you guys gives a damn but if you're bored like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all the latest series on instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my brother during the lockdown :)
@Karter Marcus Yup, been using instaflixxer for years myself :)
thank you so much - very helpful - you are a great teacher -
Thank you!
Great video, again!
Thanks Judeen
Ok, I called my dealer and got the scoop on where to get the Horizonatal Spool Holder. It is from Brewer, part number HTH and not from BERNINA. Sorry for any confusion. My dealer always has them in stock hanging near the other BERNINA supplies so I just assumed it was from BERNINA. You know where assuming gets me.
Sew Shelly Quilts Thank you!
Omg thank you so much for this!
Topstitch needle 80 is very helpful and lowering tension to 2.5
Thank you for another great video! Will you please make one on doing bobbin work on the 880. I am not sure about adjusting the bobbin tension to use all the different types of threads & fibers with this technique.
Linda,
I will be happy to video bobbin work. Great suggestion! It will be a few weeks until it comes to the top of my to do list but keep watching and I will get it posted. Thanks.
This was the best video, I know how to properly thread the straight round thread 😃
So glad you found it helpful! Happy stitching.
Just a note to all. The door does not have to be off to thread. I just did not take the time to put it back after showing how to remove it while making the video.
Thank you, again! Great video!
You are welcome. Thank you for watching.
Thank you so much for this extremely helpful video. I am taking the expensive Bernina Cosmos class which has a section on sewing invisible thread, but very little guidance is provided. I've been struggling to sew with it and am so happy I found you! I've subscribed and liked the video which should help you earn some payback for your service. Thanks again!
Question, do you adjust your thread tension when using monofilament in the upper and a heavier weight like Isacord in the bobbin?
Kim,
Always test your tension on a similar sample piece. Any tension that makes a nice stitch is the correct tension. By that I mean do not worry if you are changing the upper tension number to very low or very high. If the stitch looks great then that is the correct number for your fabric thread and needl combination. I do not change the bobbin tension for normal stitching.
ok thank you so much Shelly
Glad to be of help!
I thought the foot has to be up for threading in order to open the tension when you press the needle threader the foot goes down?
Jules,
On the 8 series machines the tensions open when the threading button is pushed and the light on the button is on. The presser foot is automatically lowered as part of the threading sequence but the process is also opening the tensions and lowering the take up lever for threading. After putting the thread in place you touch the lit button and hear the tensions close and the take up lever rasing into position. On all other machines you must raise the presser foot manually for threading which does open the tension.
I just found your videos! Thank you thank you! I will try your method today. One question or problem I have had I wonder if you might have a solution for and that is using metallic thread on the 8 series machines. I’ve just not found a solution and it’s very frustrating. I liked your Facebook page so I can filling your knowledge!
Becky,
I love metallic thread for both decorative stitches and machine emboridery. That being said the only brand I have used is from Superior Threads. That just happens to be what I own. I know I have to use a 90/14 topstitch or metallic needle so that it has plenty of room to run through the eye. You might need to slow down the speed of the machine. Try threading like I show in the video so that you are assured it is seated in the tension correctly. I have no affiliation with Superior Threads. That is what my local quilt store carries and so I have a collection of several colors. Another thing to try is turning the spool you have over so that it is run from the opposite side of the spool. Thread has a twist and it runs better one way or the other. Good luck!
Do you change tension at all?
I do change the tension any time it needs it. I find monofilament and really thin threads often need a much lower upper neelde tension. Do not worry about the number on the tension if the stitch is beautiful I have used lower than 1 before. The mai thing is to test test test until you get the results you like.
What is the name of the spool holder that slides onto spool pin. I can’t find on list of Bernina accessories thank you
Chris,
It is called a Horizontal Spool holder and your dealer can order it from Brewer.
Wonderful video, thank you. I spent most of yesterday fighting with Invisifil on my Bernina 770, specifically with thread breakage. Thanks to your video I realize that neither the Invisafil nor my machine were the problem. I had tried multiple solutions, but am still having problems with thread breakage, and I'm hoping you can help me. Should I be threading my 770 with Aurifil 50 and Invisifil together, as you did? Do I need to use a shorter stitch length, as one site recommended (I had started at 2.5 but this site recommended 1.5)? I used multiple needles, all recommended by the Wonderful site, but only the Topstitch 80 allowed me to do one row of ditching without breaking. My tension on felt (3 pieces together) looked fine; because of that I didn't adjust tension. I used the felt because I was working on a flannel quilt, 2 layers of flannel with the lightest Quilter's Dream batting. I tried multiple bobbin threads, starting with Aurifil 50, then DecoBob, and now Invisafil. I'm thinking now that the initial threading is the problem, and will try your double method. Lastly, do you use the automatic thread cutter and the thread knotters (beginning and ending) with Invisifil?
Thanks so much for reading this long note. Yesterday was beyond frustrating but I'm going to try again with your techniques. By the way, I had completely cleaned and oiled the machine before starting the quilting.
Ellen, Sorry you had a fight on your hands. I hate it when that happens. Here is what I would try. Make sure your foot is up when threading which opens the upper tension. I hold the thread in my right hand and thread with my left and then "floss my thread" meaning after I have threaded the entire machine I give it a slight back and forth between my hands. Then I thread the eye of the needle. This makes me know the thread is in the tension and take-up lever. I thread this way with all threads on all machines other than the 8 series.
I do use an 80 or 90 topstitch needle with the Invisifil. In fact many of the very small threads like topstitch needles. It doesn't seem right but it works. Lower your tension. You may have to lower it a lot, (2.5?). It does not matter how low the tension is if the stitch is formed correctly and the thread does not break. Go down as far as you need to get the best results.
Write all of your settings and needle sizes down in a sewing notebook or on a slip of paper you keep with your Invisifil thread so next time you can start from that point. Once you get the tension correct any stitch length should be fine so choose the length you like and fine-tune the tension again from there.
Hope this helps.
Shelly
Sew Shelly Quilts Thanks so much- will try all of the above.
Shelly, great video, do you also lower your top tension? I also used a thread net for my small Invisifil spool, helped a lot. Thanks for the info on the needle size as well. Just curious about the tension.
Sometimes I lower the top tension. I use any tension number that makes the stitch perfect with the project materials. Changing tension on a BERNINA is easy and part of total stitch control.
Thanks for the quick reply
Thanks for your tips. I'm having trouble with invisible thread catching on the small arm that sits below the bobbin case. This arm(don't know what it is called) has two very small screws at the end and the invisible thread catches right at the tip and gets imbedded there. After a few more stitches the thread breaks. Oops too late, I have no idea when it decides to do this, just a slight slow down and short stitches. Any advice on top tension setting or other adjustments for invisible thread? Also, I'm doing very tight stitches to begin and end seams, and when trying to turn corners. Would changing stitch lengths have an effect on the thread tensioning while its in the bobbin case?
Joan,
So sorry you are having trouble. I would have your tech take a look. Maybe sit and stitch at your dealers with your machine to cause exactly what the problem is while you are there. It might help them help you. I run monofilament and 100 weight very often in both the bottom and top so your machine can accomplish this goal.
Best to you,
Shelly
Thanks @@SewShelly, I got it working! Top tension 1.75 and bottom tension one click to the right. I did change over to The Bottom Line by Superior in the bobbin and loaded the top thread with a net and fed it through the metal loop of the thread lubricator (but not the sponge)after the thread stand. Sort of overkill, eh? Maybe the new tension settings alone would have done it.
@@littlejoan7473 So glad you got it working.
Shelly - I ;just found your video, and it is awesome. I have an 880AE, and cannot seem to use Invisifill in the bobbin. When I wind it on the bobbin, the bobbin actually seems to expand laterally - it gets wider, and then just jams in the bobbin case (I have had to go to the dealer to get it out; and they said to use an opened paper clip to pry it out in the future if it jams. This pretty much destroys the bobbin itself. Do you have any bobbin winding tips for monofilament thread? Thanks so much for your insights.
Jean, I am sorry to say that I have no idea of what is going on. I use invisifill on the bobbin much of the time and don't change anything when I wind. That being said try slowing your bobbin winder down to really really slow or try not putting the thread in the tensioner and hold it with your fingers instead while it is running slow. Not sure this will help but it what I would try in your situation.
Sew Shelly Quilts - Thanks so much for your reply. I will try your suggestions. I really hate these flimsy bobbins. I don’t see how Bernina can offer such fragile bobbins at $5+ per bobbin, and the silver rubs off after a few weeks (and I AM careful in using and storing them). Do you have any advice regarding how to re-silver or keep them from scratching? People say spray with fixative or use clear nail polish, but I’d be terrified to put a bobbin with that on it in my machine.
Please help me find to buy this spool holder
It is called a Hirizonyal Thread Holder. Try the Sewing Palace in Helena, MT. Their website came up when I searched for one. They are a great store.
Horizontal Thread Holder.
I got my 880 today I am so happy!
Is their a way to shut down like a computer or do you just turn it off with the on off button?
Just turn it off and on. You also just pull the usb stick out when you use it.
Where did you find the thread guide for the invisible thread?
At your BERNINA dealer. That particular guide is usually used for sergers. It just happens to work well with the 8 series also.
Thanks. Next time I am in Sewing Machine Services in Renton I will look for it.
Sew Shelly Quilts I went to Bernina dealer and they didn’t know anything about the thread guide. Bummed.
@@Pml941 i will try to get a part number. Give me a few days.
I’ve asked at two dealers and no luck.