Hi to all my sewing chums back in the States, especially in Connecticut, where I lived down the road from Taunton press and loved to read the forums and peruse the goods at Banksville Fabrics.
Now I’m a trailing spouse in China, and because of 220 voltage, I had to purchase a Bernina Aurora 430, a “computer sewing machine,” as the literature describes it. Give me my 1230, 830 and my old mechanical machines any time, as I only do garment sewing and home dec, not embroidery and crafting.
With a one-hour lesson before the new machine was shipped, I just sat down to whip up a pair of jeans for a vacation, and in the midst of the project, the machine will not go forward. I’ve re-threaded it, talked lovingly to it, turned it off and on, unplugged and plugged, let it rest, looked at all the videos and re-read the manual four times, and still no luck. This is probably something very silly, and I will be embarrassed when I learn the answer, but right now I have 24 hours to finish, and time’s a’wastin’. Obviously, there are no local dealers to call.
If anyone with a Bernina 430 can help me, I’d be everlastingly grateful. Since we’re 12 hours ahead of the East Coast, I may stay up all night waiting for your answers.
Thanks, Merryll from Shanghai
Replies
Hi! I can't help you with the Bernina, I'm afraid, but I've trailed back and forth from 220V to 110V and have used a converter transformer with no difficulty whatsoever.
I do not have a Bernina but I can ask questions to help trouble shoot...
How do you make the machine stitch backwards, and is it possible for this button or switch or whatever to get stuck in the backing up position?
Is the electric plug or converter one way only or could you inadvertently plug it in wrong (I had a tape player that wouldn't go forward till I turned the AC/DC converter around the other way!)
Can you move the 'wheel' and get it to stitch one stitch at a time, will it go forward under 'hand power'? or not at all?
Do you have an adjustment for Feed Dogs up/down? could this be messed up?
Hope this helps,
Becky
Thanks for your suggestions, Becky and Katrina. I finally got desperate this morning and called the Bernina dealer in the US where I bought it. Miracle of miracles, the owner was there late at night repairing machines! As we talked through my problem, we realized it related to the feed dog. He says sometimes, they can get hung up on these machines. I dropped it and then restored it, and as soon as I did, I knew the probelm was solved. It suddenly just sounded right. He also said a portion of this part is a small plastic piece, and although he's never seen one go bad, it's not difficult to replace.
So there you are! I'm back in business and appreciate your help. Off to finish those jeans.
Merryll
Great news -I'm happy for you.
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