Hello

[Sewing Joe]

I'm a brand new member. I have two Berninas (amongst many, many other machines). I have a vintage 830 that has a few issues. I also have a 1008 that I'm really enjoying. I love mechanical machines. Not so crazy about computerized machines. I sew a bit. I've been trying to learn to sew garments. I quilted a bit before starting to try garments. I should more accurately say that I pieced. The only quilt I actually finished was a gift for a new baby. I go crazy with sewing around Halloween when I get drafted to make costumes for a few people.

Joe in New Albany IN

[Doris W. in TN]

Hi Joe, I think I recognize your avatar from PR. Welcome to the forum.

[Senior Bag Lady]

Hi Joe,
Welcome to our forum.
It will be nice to get a man's point of view on some subjects.
What is it about the computerized machines that you don't like?

[BerNinja]

Welcome to the forum Joe! I'm not a garment sewer either, though my interest for doing such waxes and wanes. I'm a quilter. Thanks for joining, all of the members have created a great community.

[Sewing Joe]

What is it about the computerized machines that you don't like?

My biggest gripe is that they often take an extra stitch before they go into reverse, or even after you think it has stopped sewing.

Mostly I just love the way mechanical machines work.

[MochaB]

I get the best results from my sewing computer if my machine is set for needle down--I don't know why, but if it is in "needle up," it always stitches forward before it goes back. Another trick is to press the Pattern Begin function before you press reverse. I have also tried advancing the needle by half steps--by the button control if you have it or by the presser foot if you don't while pressing the reverse option. All of those things keep the needle from taking that extra, maddening stitch when you are sewing something very precisely.

Welcome to the forum, Joe!

[RoseSews]

Thanks for your tricks, MochaB. I always sew with the needle set in the needle down mode too and I don't have the problem of it taking an extra stitch when I push the reverse button after stitching forward, but sometimes do when I'm going backward and switch to forward it wants to make one more stitch backward before going forward. But sometimes it doesn't, so when I allow for the extra stitch it just goes forward without first taking that extra stitch backward. It is really maddening! BUT it is not so maddening that I would do without the sewing computer and go back to just a mechanical machine. I'm spoiled by now with all it's marvelous features, especially the spot where you can hold a button on the screen to adjust the length of a buttonhole. Of course, if I listed all of the features I like I would be typing here all night! (What is a Uber Geek?)

Oh! Welcome, Joe!

[mollyshark]

I don't mind the stitch unless I am doing something like top stitching and then aeeeiiiii. And yes, it is the time of the morning it shows. And no, I don't know why I am awake and here. It's become a habit lately and by 7 p.m. I'm a zombie.

[SewNuts]

Welcome Joe! (I love my vintage 830 - still a great machine!)

I've been sewing on leather and faux leather and the automatic reverse stitch (series 8 - 830) at the beginning of each row is driving me bananas! Guess I'd better figure out how to turn it off! It is really messy and shows terribly (especially with rows and rows of decorative top stitching on leather).