I find that it's really important to get the tensions right for your threads, use the right needles, and move at an even pace as much as possible when using the BSR. I think Alex has it right when she refers to it as "training wheels". I use mine a lot, but once in a while I just fmq and have found that using the BSR has given me a slow even pace that works for the plain fmq also. I had a difficult time with mine when I had the old 200E with the upgrade and could only use it with a very short stitch, but my 830 LE one works like a charm. So I am thinking maybe Bernina needs to do better quality control on their BSRs and some of it is learning how to use it also. There is no question that the 830 is a thoroughbred and needs tender care, but I love it, I love the BSR, and still I love to use my lovely little B350 and my old 1230. I have actually found the 350 and 1230 perform better with metallics and monopolies with less head banging. Though I can get my 830 to do ok with those too, I often just switch out machines for that. I don't have any problem with metallics when I'm using the in-the-hoop embroidery however, as long as I make sure the tension and needle is right and run it through that little lubricating thingy.

There's slowing down and then there's crawling along.
When I stitch non-stitch regulated, which is 90% of the time, I stitch at a medium speed. Running full tilt causes a lot of problems.
When I stitch with the BSR the same thing applies, a good medium speed so the sensor can read the movement.
I found when I'd crawl at the higher stitch lengths I'd get irregular or skipped stitches.

My original experience with the BSR was on a 440QE and it worked well. When I traded up :shock: to the 820
I did not have the same experience ! And tho I've had many updates and fixes and trips to the shop and modifications
of my stitching.....BSR still produces irregular stitches. Mind you..I was corrected when I called them "skipped" !!
So.. I use the BSR knowing and accept its lack of perfection a lot of the time. I rely on my own accuracy when I'm being
fussy...which isn't as much anymore....

beckyezra wrote:
I sure wish this was true. The updates and changeing o-rings can just mess up this tool, depending on our ability and willingness as customers to haul heavy machines in to dealers who sometimes get it right. I understand that many, including my DIL, are having great luck with this accessory. I've only had luck in spurts, in-between "fixes".

Understand, I'm a 30-year owner of Bernina machines, but this tool send me outside the company to get a sit-down quilting machine.
All of my machines are great for fmq without the BSR, on small projects.

I don't use chalk to mark and I sew very, very slowly so for me neither of these apply to my problems but I do use the BSR with the preset 2.0 setting which is the stitch length I aim for when I don't use the BSR.
The only way I can get consistent stitches with mine is on solid fabrics or what is referred to as blenders or by using certain papers between the fabric and the foot. I have reach this conslusion after a lot of experimenting with various solutions.
I hope Mellonquilts finds a way to make hers work.
Marianne

i dont remember where i heard that but i do remember bernina answered to this kind of problem
reduce the speed of quilting and it will be fine.
i dont have one so i cant taste this answer. but may be it will help
good luck guys

The preset stitch length is 2.0
I find that dropping the stitch length to 1.7 - 1.5 which is loser to my personal stitch length helps.
I also find that chalky markings obscure the ability of the sensor to read the movement of the fabric under the BSR.

Teri

I have given up on my BSR because of skipped stitches.

Adding on to the previous post, take the time, when you pick up your machine, to have your fabric sandwich that is giving you trouble, and do a sample before you leave the shop.

I am fully capable of getting skipped stitches in both mode 1 and 2. I have done a lot of experimenting lately with the BSR (you can read about some of them on my blog here at TQS and if you find a thread called BGR here:
[url]forum/this-and-that-quilting-related/6051-what-is-a-bgr[/url]
but in short I have found that it can depend on the fabric you use the BSR on. Yellow or yellowish beige fabrics makes mine go berserk ( very small stitches or huge ones sometimes both) It has been suggested that I should get mine updated which I will try next time I see a friend with an 830 machine.
This reply is of no help to you but I will suggest that if you are not miles and miles away from your Bernina dealer and if you are lucky enough to have a good one that you take quilt, machine and BSR along and ask for help from him/her.
Marianne

Anyone else have a problem with skipped stitches when using the stitch regulator? It only seems to occur in Mode 1.