My bernina virtuosa 160. The bobbin thread knots up and the needle thread breaks. I put in a new needle and I cleaned the bobbin shuttle and I cleaned under the stitch plate. What else can I do

SOURCE: Bobbin thread not being picked up

This unfortunately sounds dismally like a timing problem. When a sewing machine makes a sudden mechanical stop as when a needle is bent slightly and hits the needle plate, sometimes the other machine bits revolve along further causing the needle to be introduced into the hook either to early or to late to catch the thread.

To test this, remove the thread, the needle plate and and the bobbin case. Replace the needle with a brand new one. Yes, again. Revolve the machine by hand via the balance wheel and watch closely as the needle goes into the hook region allow it to it move down and then just start to move up. If the tip of the hook is not pretty close to right behind the needle than it is more than likely a timing problem.

If the tip of the hook is behind the needle in the scarf (the slight hollow on the back of the needle) than it is not timing. Thread the machine normally like it is and watch what happens as you manually turn the machine via the balance wheel. The thread should catch and be pulled around the hook and let go.

Try this and then either you figured it out the problem or contact me again. Either way please vote. Thanks

Rick

• 202 Answers
• Posted on Jul 27, 2008

SOURCE: Bernina Virtuosa 160

First the simple solution. Make sure your needle is inserted flat side to the back and all the way up.
The only other thing I can think of is that your hook is out of time and this will take a technician to re-time it. You may need to take it in for a servicing.