Brother vx790, my stitches are reversed ( top is on botom & bottom is on top )

So your set up to sew zig/zag and only get the zig or the zag : )


Could be top thread tension is too high. Switch to a straight stitch and reduce tension until top thread starts to appear on bottom. Then go back to zig/zag and see if it sews properly.


If still dropping stitches, check the needle is not bent and is fully inserted into the holder. Clean the bobbin, hook, and race per machine instructions. Try reducing the stitch width and see if that makes any difference. If still not right then timing may be off.

First, use only the needles recommended for your machine unless you want a big repair charge.

Second, your machine is an embroidery machine, not a sewing machine. About the only way you can use it for quilting is if you want to embroidery designs on quilt tops.

Brother BAS 416A Instruction Manual Page 8

If you want to piece quilts, you might look for an older mechanical sewing machine (ie Kenmore, Singer, Viking, Bernina, etc) that you probably pick up for $100 or less. Basically, you can make quilts with a straight-stitch sewing machine, so zig-zag or multiple decorative stitches are not needed for quilting.

could you explain more about what the machine zig zag stitch is doing or not doing?

In most cases Laurie, with decorative stitches selected some machines can't sew in reverse. Your stitch length is too long or too short to make the decorative stitches sew correctly. So many things could be wrong. I'd need more info to get you going again.

Cheers,
Kelly
San Diego, CA
Embroidery Services

try changing the needle
adjust the top tension if nessary

You have the machine set for blind hem stitching. Change the stitch selector to stretch stitch, which is a single, in line stitching zig zag stitch.

Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

Take the machine in for servicing by an authorized dealer.

FIRST > Make sure your bobbin case is threaded correctly...

NEXT
For normal straight sewing the top tension should be around 5, for zigzag or satin stitch you need to lower your upper thread tension a bit. Try it at 4, if it still pulls your bottom thread to the top try it at 3 etc...

The three front dials are as follows....left to right-Stitch width, type of stitch, and stitch length. The dial on the top adjust the top tension.

For straight stitch you want 0 stitch width, straight stitch, 3 for stitch length.

For zig zag you want turn your stitch width to how wide you want the zig zag, choose zig zag stitch, and choose how close you want the stitches to be on the stitch length dial. Practice on a piece of fabric. Usually for zig zag you will want to loosen your top tension a little bit.

Because it is almost a straight stitch but the needle continues to move in a zig zag fashion is reason to believe it is in a long stitch. By changing the number of stitches per inch there will be a very noticeable looking zig zag stitch.