Pro Tips for BERNINA Q 20
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I sew on a BERNINA Q 20 and I just love sewing on this machine!
Over the last year with the inevitable trouble-shooting that comes with pro-level sewing, I have learned a lot about how to keep my machine happy. I make art quilts with fusible applique, and I live in a dry climate, so I’ve had to experiment and make some adjustments to how I work on this machine. I compiled this list of tips for another pro quilter who works on a Q 20, and I got permission from BERNINA to share this list. Here we go!
1. Tune Your Machine! – Have an experienced BERNINA tech fine-tune the timing of your hook, and make sure you have them check the guts of your machine for globs of lint, thread, etc. The more you use your machine, the more often you will need a professional cleaning and tune-up. Machines tend to break down when you are on a deadline otherwise. Murphy’s Law!
2. Minimize layers of Fusibiles. – The more layers of fusibles you use, the more likely you will have skipped stitches, and sticky residue build up inside the machine.
3. Use Lightweight Fusibles. – I use 2 types of fusibles – with and without paper backing.
A. For non-paper-backed, I use the 54″ wide Mistyfuse by the yard.
B. For paper-backed, I used to use Soft Fuse, but this product is no longer available. Now I am using Gentle Fuse, which comes by the yard, 12″ wide and 20″ wide. The 12″ wide will fit in your digital cutting machine like Cricket and Silhouette Cameo. It is a great product. Other artists are using Hot Fix fusible, or Trans Web polyamide web.
I used to use Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite (which I LOVE) but my Q 20 doesn’t love it, especially if there is more than one layer. It is great for preventing frayed edges on raw-edge applique, but some machines think it is too thick and gummy. I also use batiks or hand-dyes for my raw-edge applique because the tighter weave helps to prevent frayed edges.
If you are a serious textile artist I strongly suggest you get a yard of each type of fusible and see which type works best for YOUR artwork and YOUR machine.
4. Clean your machine every time you sit down at the machine. I use a cordless rechargeable keyboard vacuum with a small nozzle that will fit in the bobbin case. I vacuum from the top of the hook under the needle plate, and down below in the bobbin case chamber. Sometimes I even have to clean lint out of the bobbin case itself!
5. Use a Silicon lubricant to condition the thread. The machines come with a little squirt bottle of this lubricant: apply to the small felt sponge along the thread path. Do this every time you sit down to sew.
6. If you use fusibles, you must use a non-stick needle. I use Schmetz Titanium Non-Stick needles in size 90. Available in a 5-pack, or a 100-pack box.
7. I use 50 wt Aurifil thead (top and bottom) because I like the large variety of colors. You should try several types of thread to see what your machine likes. Some people like to use Glide or some other tri-lobal poly thread. For invisible thread, the professional quilters I know like MonoPoly thread.
8. LUBRICATION: Every time you sit down to the machine, you should clean and lubricate. If you live in a dry climate, it is especially crucial that you use plenty of oil on the hook. Drip onto the notch as shown in this video. The drier the climate, the more oil you should use. I was shocked at how much oil I had to apply each time, to solve my skipped stitch problem.
Your machine came with a lubrication pen, but I have graduated to a larger oil bottle with a needle nose to get in there with precision application. You can get these from your local dealer.
I hope these Q-series tips are helpful to you. The last advice I will give you is to become good friends with your local BERNINA dealer and tech, because having a relationship with these local experts will help you to keep your Q 20 or other machines humming along, especially when you are on a deadline!
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