Hello all, I have this old Bernina 540-2 favorit(1960?)sewing machine. After the needle got stuck in jeans fabric it has problems. Reverse is forward and forward is reverse. What can I do?Thanks!

Force the handwheel in the direction of travel. You can't break it. Then remove the needle and bobbin and run the machine 15 seconds at full speed.

Try directing hot air from a handheld hairdryer into the internal mechanism. If it is seized from dried oil, the heat may loosen it. However, if it has seized from old oil, it needs to fully addressed before trying to run the machine as it could damage the motor.

Sandra,
If the needle jams when sewing over thick items, it may be you have a dull needle? Not all machines can hem blue jean material without a hand to help the flywheel around, through the doubled over seams.

Additionally, when sewing the basic two pieces into one piece, start with the presser foot ON the fabric about a half inch sewing in reverse first, backing up to the fabrics edge and then proceeding forward through your fabric.

Fabrics too heavy or too light, are the common issues with home and commercial sewing machines.Knowing your machine and how to operate it; will get you through these "issues" when sewing.

Cheers, Happy New Year!
Kelly
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

If it's a mechanical machine, it could be seizing due to old, dried out oil. How long since it has had a thorough clean and oil? If this is the cause, AVOID running the machine until the problem is addressed or the motor can be damaged.

Sounds a bit serious, jeans fabric is dense and thick. Many machines struggle especially sewing hem over side seam with 6+ layers. You need jeans needle size 90, 100 or 110. Maybe take in for a service as the needle assembly could be out if time too

Sounds like it needs to be serviced. Needle should NOT be hitting the bobbin case.

Since you don't want to have it serviced, you might check to make sure the bobbin case is inserted correctly and that the bobbin rotates clockwise as you are looking directly at it in the case. Also, is you needle compatible with the fabric?

Most machines can sew on jeans fabric, but you may need to go slowly or even hand-turn the needle when crossing thick seams to keep from bending or breaking your needle.

Bobbin: It won't matter if you use plastic or metal bobbins.

Needle: You should use a heavier needle - you can purchase 'jeans' needles, or use the heaviest sharp or universal needle you have.

Tension: For tension adjustment, you can follow the guidelines in your sewing machine manual but you'll also need to adjust the tension based on sewing on scraps of the fabric. If you are sewing light-weight denim, the settings are pretty much the default/normal settings. As you increase the weight/thickness of the fabric and seams to cross, you'll need to loosen your pressure foot tension. If you use decorative 'jeans' thread or topstitching thread, you'll need to loosen your needle tension.
*Always test on scrap fabric to make sure the stitches are forming properly. It is best to make small adjustments to your tension settings, then test, then adjust and test, until it is right. If you sew that weight of fabric often, make note of your tension settings inside your machine manual to save you some time the next time you sew.
I hope this helps.

You need to give it a helping hand over the thick seams. There is a gadget called a jean-a-ma-jig which could help.
Or sew up to the seam, leave the needle in the thread, lift the pressure foot, then insert a thick piece of card from behind to make the foot level with the seam, lower the pressure foot then sew.
The idea is to make a level surface instead of a bump to sew over. Improvise any way you can.

Be sure to have the right needle for the right material! that sounds maybe a bit like I am taking you for a ride! but not! I sew professionally and have a box full of needles! Most of the needles you buy in the shop have a designation (jeans, jersey etc! ) afterwards there is something like 70, 80, 90 up till 100!
70 - very fine fabrics, silks and sheers
80 - fine fabrics, thin cottons
90 - average and 'normal' fabrics
100 and more - thick fabrics, curtains etc!
If your problem persist, you may need to take your machine for servicing! how old is it? and what brand? yours,
rick

that is your problem, your needle bar is centered too far to the back. There are 2 little bolts (Below the presser foot lift on the back of the machine) that must be loosened while the needle bar is repositioned aligning the needle bar assembly.