bystrauss wrote: I had it happen to me once. Even the best thread manufacturers have a bad spool once in a while. You can probably get a replacement for free. So happy it worked!

Tada!!!! It's working now....yahoo
Betty, you were correct. It was the thread!!
It never dawned on me that it could be the thread. I use Aurifil thread all the time. It was a new spool I used on this quilt in top and bobbin. When I ready Betty's suggestion, it reminded me it was a new spool. So I changed it and the bobbin and that worked.
So thank you Betty and everyone for you support. Back to work...

It really sounds like something is wrong with the way the thread is coming off the spool or cone. Have you tried using a completely different thread in the top just to see if it is the spool? Also, it might help to try a little sewing with the thread lubricator for a little while. Hope it decides it's been enough of a diva for a while and goes back to sewing right never to mess up again.

What temperature do you have in the room? I read in the Yahoo group, that temperatures shifting could affect the tension. The one who wrote said that she turned her fan off when it happened and that solved the problem

Could you bring your test piece and demonstrate the problem for him?

Nancy

Well that didn't work!! I took my machine into my Bernina dealer for service. He said he adjusted the bobbin tension and oiled the machine.
I told him it didn't solve the gathering (tension) problem. He said it tested just fine and asked what kind of fabric I was using.
It's a Kofman cotton fabric that I bought at one of my favorite quilt stores. I'm certain it's good quality fabric. So I'm still dealing with the problem...

Barb

Thank you so much for everyone's input. I tried it all and haven't been successful. My number came up in the repair mans lottery So I've taken it in for service and to see if he can correct the problem. Fortunately my client is not in a big hurry and prefers the problem be fixed than have it potentially create a problem on her quilt. I'll let you know what he finds.

When I did a class with Libby Lehman and few years ago, she teaches you to clean between your tension discs with something that is like a large old fashioned pipe cleaner. I think you can get them at craft shops.

clhdabb wrote:
Then you would be sure to make no damage.Thanks Charae. Maybe just a thicker thread will do the job.

Some where I heard that a guy used a folded dollar bill and ran it up and down between the disc.

I'd use unwaxed (non-waxed) dental floss, IMHO as a former dental hygienist!

WOW...thank you everyone. Lot's of great ideas and experiences. I'll give these a try.
So the dental floss won't gum up the tension disk? That sounds kind of scary...lol You're probably going to tell me that's what the service guys do anyway...ha.
I shut it down last night so I'll see what happens when I fire it up tonight. I'll keep my figures cross that it just needed a rest and it fixed itself...LOL
Have a great week of quilting!
Barb

Couple of thoughts from me. I had tight top tension when there was a sticky residue from a thread in the top mechanism so cleaning with floss would sort that out. The other was using a needle too small for the thread but you've tried different options.

There is one more thing you can try. There might be a tiny little thread somewhere in the thread path. Try to "thread" it with a dental floss (advice from the Yahoo Group). This will clear the tension disks. If the problem persists I would try to use the hook, that's explained by Renata. There might have fallen a tiny little thread down where you can't see it.