Thank you for this video, I bought this machine 3 years ago, I am still in love with it. I like to watch different videos just for fun, but I always learn new things, definitely learned a few things about my machine, watching your video!
Jan, thank you times a million!!! I have had my machine for almost two years and had no idea about the fabric sensor guide, or how to use the buttons...goodness gracious! You are a talented teacher. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jan, you are a very good teacher. I am on a quest to understand all the features and you are far better than the manual it comes with and others on youtube! thank you
Thanks so much. I just bought this machine after several decades of not sewing, and you have provided a jump start into my learning process. I really appreciate it!
Hey Jan thanks for all the help. You help answering my newbie questions without making me feel stupid. When I try to sew 1/4” seam, the top fabric shifts and overhangs by about 2-3 mm at the end of a precut 5” cotton fabric square is that normal? Do I just use walking foot to fix this? Also my machine will veer a fabric piece to the right, is that normal for this machine? I tried placing the fabric in the center of fabric piece and didn’t veer as much to the right. But when I do the right side on a piece of fabric such as a 5” square for piecing it still veers to the right a bit. The end of the seam is much more than the 1/4” I started with. Am I supposed to help the fabric with my hands while it feeds from the front ? And when I need to adjust presser foot tension, do I have to do it with the foot up or down? (I tried adjusting the pressure to fix my slanted straight stitch since the top thread seemed wavy and the bottom thread was taut straight). but even at the extreme tensions of 0 and 9, I couldn’t really tell a difference. Maybe on the 9, the fabric was more puckered and top thread more taut and bobbin was peaking through on the top just slightly but when I see RU-vid videos on it the user gets loops on tops or bottom. The brother bq1350 didn’t have loops on either side, is it because it’s a more expensive machine?
Are you trying to produce a 1/4" seam with a piecing foot or the piecing stitch on the machine? Also do you have the automatic fabric sensor system turned on in the settings? Your presser foot pressure should be on 3 in the settings. I rarely change it.
@@sewalongwithjan I tried with piecing stitch and piecing foot. I did try again using foot pedal vs the start button and I think it’s improved the situation. Fabric sensor is always on and foot pressure is set to 3
@@Fattiapples I like using the piecing stitch with the J foot best, as the foot completely covers the feed dogs and the machine stitches straighter that way. It also goes over the seams better.
@@sewalongwithjan you think you could do a video showing this? I’m curious to see it but also I am curious to see what your machines straight stitch #3 looks like on fabric with aurifil or mettler
@@Fattiapples If you watch any of my sewing videos, I am using either Pima Cotton/Aurifil or Mettler thread in my machine. That is all I use besides embroidery thread.
Hi Craig! You are getting that message on your machine? Usually it means you have a thread lock or bent needle in the machine. It can also mean the bobbin case is not in correctly. Quite a few things can cause that message to come up.
I have this machine. Does Brother recommend a particular brand of thread? I’ve been told I was using the wrong thread. I was using Gutterman. Thank you.
Hi Helen! I use Mettler thread for general sewing. This is polyester thread. I agree, I'm not fond of Gutterman, as I find it very stiff and my machine likes to skip stitches. I use Pima Cotton thread for quilting and piecing and my favorite comes from Hobby Lobby, although I don't buy any of their thread otherwise. Aurifil cotton is also good.
Yes, this machine is good for free motion quilting and comes with an extension table and darning feet. The throat space is about 9.25 inches. The Brother BQ2500 and BQ3100 are the next 2 machines up and have a 11.25 inch throat if you need more room for your projects.
does anyone know the difference between the stitches from the utility column (or the most left column) vs the decorative mode 3 or leaf 3 (or second to most right column)? they seem to be duplicate stitches.
@@sewalongwithjanI see. That does make sense except the whole decorative leaf 3 are duplicates. I do wish they had added news instead. Do you know if most of the decorative stitches are large like 1”? I was hoping some would be less than half an inch to hem borders on baby clothes
No real differences between the Brother BQ1350 and the Baby Lock Soprano. The accessories and manuals are slightly different and the Brother has a Custom Stitch maker program that the Baby does not. Virtually the same.
@@sewalongwithjan hey Jan, when I brought my brother home and tried straight stitches they were a bit slanted and the bobbin underside thread looked a bit slanty and wasn’t clear stitches but looked like long line of thread. When I tested the soprano in store it was beautiful stitches but not from my brother. Im using universal 12 and tried microtex 12 on non stretchy cotton fabruc using Gutermann poly thread. I think in shop they had used rayon thread so the stitches could be seen better on the cotton fabric. I’m thinking maybe it’s a tension problem? Or maybe the thread and fabric and needle used are causing this different result? I’m a bit disappointed in the brother . Also the piece that goes on the free arm doesn’t line up correctly when put on so it’s a smidge lower than the machine frame and it sure does bug me especially since I paid a lot of money for the machine What do you think? Are straight stitches never truly straight? Like a slight slant is an ok straight stitch ?
@@Fattiapples most of the time when you have stitch irregularities like you are describing, I first check to make sure the machine is threaded correctly top and bobbin. This can also be caused by thread you are using and can be fabric related also, but usually is more tied to thread. What are you using for thread and have you checked your threading to be sure it is correct? I sew on both Baby Lock and Brother machines and see no difference in the stitch quality. Most of my personal machines are Brother.
Just purchased this machine today -a Version 190 - not 200 - it is a floor model. Are there updates? If so how does one update? Also the three buttons on the screen right side (press or foot up or down, back up ?? And thread cut), how do those three work? I know how the first one works but other two when I stop sewing and the buttons are on nothing happens. Thanks - great video.
@@janjeffers3462 Ok. Update the machine you mean. No, I don't think there is a way to update the sewing machines that don't have a USB. I think the 3 buttons you are talking about are the pivot feature button and the automated backstitch/tie off with optional cut? I showed the pivot button in the video above, but rarely use the other feature.
OK. Do you have another brother or baby Lock machine to try another foot controller out? If you get the same error with another controller, it's probably the jack.
@sewalongwithjan I order a new one same issue, when u say the jack what does that mean, my problem is that this machine was bought online and shipped to me locally in the Caribbean, we do not have a local repairman reason I am reaching out
The jack is the part that the foot controller plugs into. It's very likely that and will require a part and technician. I'm sorry to hear that will be difficult for you. Have you tried the dealer locator on the Brother website to verify dealer availability?
Glad you enjoyed the video Lutisha! Which attachments do you need to know more about? To make a satin stitch, I just use the regular zig zag and shorten the stitch length down to make it denser.
