Need to remove needle plate - Bernina Artista 180

Since the needle fell into the needle plate, first remove the needle plate. You need to loosen and remove two screws. Then lift off the needle plate. I think you should be able to see the needle between the feed dogs. In the future, leave the old needle threaded before loosening the screw. Temporarily thread the needle and make sure that the thread tail is long. Now, insert your new needle and secure it. If you ended up with the thread wrapped around the needle, remove the thread from the needle and then correctly thread the needle. If the needle falls, you can use the thread to carefully pull the needle back up by holding the thread on both sides of the needle.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

If the left needle is closer to you than the right, you probably need a new needle clamp. Remove the needle plate and set the tip of the lower looper behind each needle and check to see if one needle is closer to the looper than the other one. If it is, have an authorized dealer replace the needle clamp. If they say you have to have a new needle bar also, that may well be true since a newer version of the needle clamp requires an updated needle bar.

It adjusts the position of the needle plate front to back.

:)

It adjusts the needle plate position front to back.

For heaven's sake Michael D. Hannan, do your home work, understand specific features of the machine and get your facts right before you mislead somebody with an incorrect answer: the Bernina 1630 needle plate is not fastened by screws but by spring clips.

To Anonymous,
If the needle plate was properly held down before, then you have either not replaced it correctly or you have removed it clumsily and bent the spring clips that retain it. Read the manual or follow my directions to remove and replace below.

First, examine the needle plate:
Pick up the needle plate and turn it over. Look at the two spring clips: they should be firmly fastened to the needle plate by the two small screws - if not, use a very small screwdriver to tighten them. Now look at the other end of the spring clips: the gap between the spring clips and the needle plate should be very close to 3mm. If significantly over that, the needle plate will not be held firmly. You cannot bend them back into place without removing them first.
Fix spring clips if damaged:
For each clip, you need to hold the end with the hole in a vice, right up to the first bend. Gently bend the rest of the clip bit by bit back to the correct position, testing each time you bend it. Refit the clip and repeat for the other. Don't use heat or you will destroy the elastic properties of the clip. If the clip is bent too far, it will break and you'll have to order replacements from your Bernina dealer.

How to remove the needle plate:
Open the bobbin cover. From the front of the machine and using your thumb, push up under the curved front edge of the needle plate just enough so the locating dowel comes out of the hole at the front left. Simultaneously slide the needle plate back a bit. Lift up slightly against so the curved front of the needle plate comes over the edge of the free arm casting. Slide the plate back a bit more to free it completely and you can then lift it out.


How to refit the needle plate:
Place the needle plate in the gap with the curved edge about 20 mm behind where it will end up. Slide the needle plate forwards until the curved edge comes up against the locating dowel and lift it sightly over the dowel. By this time the spring clips will be partly engaged. Now push the needle plate forwards from the rear until it goes forwards and drops into place. I hope this helps. Foot and needle removed for clarity. Pictures taken on a Bernina 1030 which is the same in this area.

Make sure your needle is threaded correctly and that the needle is not old or blunt.
make sure that the thread and needle size are compatible with the material you are using.Or check with manufacturer.

If the needle gets stuck with no thread, The needle is hitting something. Could be needle not up all the way or something needs adjusting. If it gets stuck with thread. It is probably an upper thread tension or threading issue.

More likely, you need to replace the needles, which are now slightly bent.

very gently use a butter knife or a flat screw driver to try & lift up the needle plate, do not use a lot of force

Hello,
Here are some things to try.

* Your broken needles may have been too thin for your fabric. Make sure your replacement needle is appropriate for the weight and type of your fabric and thread. You may also need a thicker needle if you’re sewing through bulky layers of fabric.

* When you insert your new needle, make sure it’s positioned correctly (usually with the flat side
away from the bobbin, but consult your manual), that it goes all the way into the holder, and
that the screw is securely tightened.


If this doesn’t seem to be the problem

* Check your pressure foot
Make sure it’s attached securely.

* Change your pressure foot
Your pressure foot may be bent, causing your needle to hit it.

* Don’t sew over pins
A needle that hits a pin can break. Always remove the pins from your fabric before they reach your needle.

* Don’t pull your fabric as you sew
You could be bending your needle back, causing it to hit your needle plate instead of going into the hole. Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on its own.

* Check your needle plate
Make sure it's securely in position.

* Change your needle plate
If you’ve been using a straight stitch needle plate (a plate with a small hole, often used for
sewing fine, delicate fabrics), switch to a needle plate with a wider hole.

* Check the position of your needle
Sewing machines with zigzag capability allow you to adjust the position of your needle – right, left, or center. If your needle is not positioned correctly, it may be hitting your needle plate or pressure foot.

I hope this helps.