I use the foot pedal since I BSR'd my finger! I like the fact that you take your foot off the pedal and it STOPS!

Jean

well ladies, all this talking about bsr's has got me going. went and started quilting the borders on a quilt that was waiting for them to be done for nigh on a year! so one down and three to go! thanks for the inspiration. will post when its finished. and by the way, using bsr1 and foot pedal!!
lynn in chilly cheddar, uk

Thank you ladies- I am going to give that a try....BSR1 and using the foot pedal. In fact I am off to do that in about 5 minutes as soon as The Ellen Show is over! Karen

Kake--I use the BSR1 and set it at the speed just between the lowest and half and no foot pedal. I find I can control it pretty well. I know there are those that get the speed high but I just don't do as well there. Oh, I have the stitch length at 1.5.

KakeM wrote:
Kake, I use the BSR1 setting with my foot pedal. It makes it much more similiar to the mechanics of free motion quilting that I've always done, but with much more consistant stitch length!

Sewdreamy, I assume you are talking top thread tension down to 2.5ish. I haven't had a play with the tensions for thread yet but as it's just button pushing for the top, perhaps I will. I have lessened the foot pressure as recommended though.

KakeM I have the pedal to the metal in BSR1. Haven't made it over to 2 yet. Thought I'd better learn the first one first What does BSR 2 have in store for me??

When you are using the foot pedal are you in BSR1 or BSR2 mode? I thought you had to disconnect the foot pedal to use the BSR? I have a 440QE.

I used the foot pedal for a long time until I got really comfortable with the BSR. It's a wonderful way to go--gives you a greater sense of control, and you also have to lower the tension. I think they are all a little different..the default is 4.0, but I lower mine to 2.5 for most threads and even a little lower for metallics.

I don't know if this will help anyone, but when I use my BSR (on my Bernina 630) I quilt just like I did before I got it. I use my foot pedal to start and stop the stitching, just like I have always done with free motion quilting, but the pedal does not control the speed of the needle....the BSR does! I can push the pedal all the way down....but the BSR controls the stitch length. Doing it this way, I know when the stitching will start and stop because the pedal controls that function. I have also found (thanks to Libby Lehman!) that by shortening the stitch length to 1.3-1.5 the BSR is much more responsive to the movement of the fabric and I get a more uniform stitch. (The default stitch length on the BSR is 2.0)
If you are using the BSR without the foot pedal....try it....you may like it!

That happens to me sometimes, it might have something to do with the fabric pattern. Sometimes mine also has a time delay, foot down and nothing happens, then off it goes like a bullet. So firt few stitches tend to be uneven. Any ideas folks? also, I am on a 630, what are you folks on, I know that amo is 730, and the rest?
lynn

I have had my first proper play with the BSR today. Yay!! I was less nervous sitting behind the wheel of the Porsche for the first time, I can tell you!!

I set up some fabric with stabiliser and used the hoop. Foot pressure down as in the booklet, the clear foot and BSR 1 just about how it was in the shop when I test drove it. I must admit, it took a little getting used to but I was quite pleased.

I did notice one thing though that even at a slow and even speed it would beep and race now and then. Is this normal? I was really careful to watch my speed and even when I made a point of going slow it still did it for a second or two.

Amo
UK

I was reading some of the responses and I think there may be some confusion on what the thread tension is. Be careful not to confuse the lowering of the tension with the lowering of the pressure on the presser foot. There's a button on the touch screen to touch to lower the tension, usually set at 4.0, and I set it for 2.5 on mine. The wheel thingy on the left side of the machine that clicks when you turn it is the pressure on the presser foot, which one sometimes needs to change depending on the thickness or density of the fabric, but it is not the tension. I usually don't need to change that on ordinary quilts. Then also if you use a very short stitch -- I use between a 1.0 and 1.5 stitch length with my BSR--you will have more success. On my machine, you set the sound bell on or off on the lower right side of the touch screen.

If you don't lower the actual tension and shorten your stitch, you are more likely to have problems. Hope this helps.

dlacefield wrote: How do you set your 440 to beep if you go too fast with the BSR?

I also have had major probloems with skipped stitches with the bsr. And I too oiled etc etc and the problem was gone....for a brief time, then returned.
i'll try 0 tension, the only thing i haven't done of all the suggestions.