1. Resolving Sewing Machine Problems
Bernina activa 125
(PG. 6-7)

2. Clean, oil, and care for the machine
1st step to any machine maintenance is to turn the power off.
Use a brush to remove any lint
To clean the upper area of the machine it helps to remove the presser foot, needle, and stitch plate.
Our machines are equipped with a low mass hook that does not require oil. If you do use oil to clean the machine, be sure to run the sewing machine on scrap fabric to avoid getting the oil on your projects.
To clean the screen wipe with a damp cloth. Never use alcohol or any type of solvent to clean the sewing computer.

3. Resolving machine problems
If you are having any problems always check the following:
Machine is threaded correctly
Needle is inserted correctly
Needle size is correct
Sewing computer is clean
Hook race is clean
Check for threads trapped between the tension discs or under the bobbin case

4. If your upper thread breaks…
The upper tension may be too tight
The needle may be old or poor quality
The needle may be blunt or bent
You may have poor quality thread
Machine may not be properly threaded

5. If your lower thread breaks:
Lower tension may be too tight
The bobbin is jamming in the bobbin case…it may not have been threaded and inserted correctly
The stitch plate may be damaged
The needle is blunt or bent
The thread might be caught in the bobbin cover door

6. Skipped stitches… Wrong needle
Needle is blunt, bent, or incorrectly inserted.
The needle is not the right needle for the fabric.
Knits: Ball Point
Heavy fabrics like denim: Sharp needle
Woven or natural fibers: Universal

7. Needle breaks Needle clamp screw may have been loose
Fabric taken out in front instead of behind the presser foot
Fabric was pushed or pulled while sewing
Poor quality thread

8. Other problems:
If the needle comes unthreaded at the beginning of a row of stitching the take-up lever may not have been at the highest point
If the thread knots up on the underside of the fabric when beginning to stitch try holding the threads under and back when you start
If the stitches are not balanced check the bottom and top tension
If the fabric doesn’t move be sure the presser foot is down and the feed dogs are up
If the machine won’t work, be sure it is plugged in, the foot pedal is attached, and the bobbin winder is in the “off” position.
If your stitching puckers make sure the needle is not bent or blunt. Check the thread tension

9. Thread Standard thread is all purpose/cotton wrapped polyester
Specialty threads: quilting, heavy duty, embroidery, metallic, etc.
Serger thread is lighter weight than standard sewing machine threads
Quality thread prevents stitching problems

10. Sergers Identify foot pedal needle stitch plate handwheel
feed dogs/system
presser foot
spool pin
thread tensions
presser foot lever/lifter
foot pedal
handwheel
stitch length control
stitch width control
and upper/lower knives

11. Sergers
Demonstrate how to replace a needle and how to turn the hand wheel with sewing,
Identify safety precautions and procedures when working with a serger
Clean, oil, and care for serger according to machine manual
Always remember to leave a “tail” when using a serger to prevent the needles from coming unthreaded.