Bernina 121

(Disclaimer: I do not know your machine)

Are you sure that model number is correct? Bernina does not seem to list it:

If you have the user's manual (absolutely necessary, IMHO) re-thread the needle path FROM SCRATCH. Do not assume you have all the hooks and loops threaded, do it again. You wrote "I note the upper thread from lifting arm to needle goes slack when the lifting arm goes down." That sounds to me like a problem with the little take-up spring, usually the next thing after the tension disks. (But again, I don't know your machine, I'm a Singer sewist.)

Install a NEW needle, making sure it is installed right-way-around.

Thread the bobbin and the needle with different color threads, to be sure you know which one is causing the problem. Sew a test.

If it has not been cleaned/lubed in a long while, take it to your nearest shop for a thorough servicing.

HTH

Beverly

I 2nd Beverly in her suggestion of changing the needle.

Bottom thread going wrong normally means problems with top threading. Change the needle check the threading and if it's still odd go to a reputable service person.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch

John T.

Nein.

I hope that helps OP, s/he is posting from Great Britain.

:-)

Beverly

Helping to confirm the model - I wonder if the same machine has a different make/model number for North America ? This link seems to say that Bernina did make a machine for Husqvarna -

John T.

he tension settings, when it lifts the top thread up it just doesn't bring it up quite far enough, and snarlup soon results. I've checked & corrected the bobbin tension. I've got the upper tension to work, it was failing to g rip the thread. Still no joy. I note the upper thread from lifting arm to n eedle goes slack when the lifting arm goes down. What's going on, what can I do?

Sorry for not getting back sooner, life has, how shall I say... overtook me .

Yes it's a 121, the huge '121' printed on it gives it away ;) Bernina intro duced the 121 in 1944, and I gather have long been happy to never mention i ts existence. The 125 they seem happier about, which was a much improved de velopment of the 121.

I have never taken a sewing machine to a dealer and never intend to. If I c an't do what they can, something is very wrong. And an old basic 121 is not worth it anyway.

It works perfectly now, though a little mystery still remains. The problem was with the upper tension disc assembly. No matter what I did with it it w ould not behave unless I removed the tension relieving washer, so in the en d I did so and it works perfectly. My best guess is that at some time it ha s been reassembled wrongly. I have the manual but it's only a user manual a nd doesn't touch repairs.

The twist in the tail is that despite working fine it probably will go for parts for 125s. Its mains lead is needed for a 530-2, a far more valuable m achine, and the leads seem to be unobtanium. I got both machines for next t o nothing, and I reckon neither had been lubricated in a couple of decades at least.

Thank you for the suggestions. The 530-2 is proving harder to sort out, a c ouple of bits of the mechanism are still jammed solid despite paraffin, oil & baking it in an oven. When I get suitable time I'll try more determined solvents.

NT

Interesting attitude. Do you do your own brain surgery as well?

Spat tea onto keyboard laughing!!

I don't understand people that argue for their own inability. As expected I fixed the machine. Sewing machines are not normally a challenge to repair.

NT

I fixed the machine. Sewing machines are not normally a challenge to repai r.

You opened the door.......................