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Try rethreading completely from the beginning. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading. Be sure to thread each thread in the order specified in the instructions. Give each thread an extra little tug between the thread tree and the tension dials to make sure it is seated completely in the tension disk.
If you do all this and still can't get it to stitch, then you may need to take it for service.
Most often, the problem either has to do with mis-threading or the machine has been knocked out of time. (It took me an entire day to thread my serger correctly the first time.) Start out with no thread in the machine. Follow the instructions "exactly." ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading and be sure EACH thread is threaded in the correct order! Another helpful hint is to give each thread an extra little tug when going from the thread tree to the thread dial. This helps the thread seat completely in the tension disk.
A serger (overlocker) is not a sewing machine. If you look at the inside seams of a purchased t-shirt, you will usually find a serge stitch that was created using a serger (overlocker). A serger/overlocker usually uses 3 or 4 threads to create that stitch. It also trims the fabric at the same time it finishes the fabric edge. The serge stitch is a chain stitch that, if you pull a particular thread, the entire stitch will come undone.
Your sewing machine is not able to create that same stitch. Your sewing machine may have what is called an "overlock" stitch, but it will use only 2 threads (the top and bobbin) to create that stitch. You would have to consult your owner's manual to see if it can make an overlock stitch.
The best way is to thread with 4 separate colors of thread and then studying the stitch result. With the 4 colors, you can easily tell which thread tension is "off" and whether it should be tightened or loosened. However, a serger is not like a sewing machine where you can set the tension and use that setting for most projects. With a serger, a change in one or a couple of thread tensions will create a totally different stitch.
For most machines, there is a mark at the midway point on each tension control that is the "optimal" tension for a 4-thread overlock. HOWEVER, every machine differs, so these settings may need to be tweaked.
You may want to download the serger workbooks at this site (Bernina), and work through each of the stitches. Make notes in the workbook as to how you have set up your machine to get the best of each stitch. This will be a great reference manual for many years.
ALWAYS Raise the presser foot when threading the machine. Give each thread and extra little tug when threading the tension disks so it seats completely. The midway point on the tension disk is the standard factory setting when using the standard thread weight, however, with use, age, and thread weight that setting may change. So, the user can use the midway point as a starting point for the basic overlock stitch but will need to make adjustments to get the correct tension. When testing your tension, it works best to use the 4 thread colors so it is easier to identify which thread is misbehaving. When you become familiar with your machine and how the stitch looks, it is easier to identify which thread is which.
Remember that the tension settings will also determine the stitch you are trying to create. A basic overlock will generally have the tension set around the midway point, however, when changing to a rolled edge or some other stitch, certain tensions will be increased or decreased in order to create that particular stitch.
It may be difficult to solve a computer controlled machine with as many options as the 936 serger. Stepper motors control many of the functions. You can check out this video I made 4 years ago to get an idea of where to look.
I would suggest that you buy a new manual for this as your overlocker has 5 threads that need to be threaded up correctly to form a stitch and there are several different stitches that can be made with this model such as a rolled hem, chain stitch, three thread overlock, four thread overlock and safety stitch with three thread overlock, lots to learn.
Always well worth buying the manual and saving a lot of frustration trying to guess how things work and it adds value if you are going to sell the item.
I hope you have not left this machine for a year! (If you haven't used it, feel free to send it to me!) Since the tensions on this machine are automatically set with the automatic thread delivery system, check to see if you have stitch dial set for an overlock or a flatlock stitch (which is what you're getting now).
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