How can I fix the zig-zag on my Bernina 801?

Nobody has mentioned about the stitch width knob/dial shaft turning freely without changing the width. ie you turn the dial but nothing inside the machine changes

Tony
September 2023

FYI, for future questions like this one, you might try the following:
1. Turn the button hole knob to position five.
2. Turn the stitch width knob (zigzag knob) to the right and then let go. If the knob does not quickly snap back to zero, you have a problem.
3. Next turn the needle position knob to the right and again, let go. If the nob does not quickly snap back, again you have a problem.

The problem:
Typically the senario will be sticky or solified oil varnishes that are causing the problem. The second problem can be a jammed needle needle bar frame. This problem is easily repaired but would take some finese and training to solve. I would take the machine to a good Bernina Technician.

AlsaceTech
January 2008

The first logical suggestion as mentioned by others is if the needle bar swings left and right, the problem will be relatively easy as the problem will be the result of the following:
1. The needle was bent or was the wrong needle system.
2. The needle was installed backwards or has not been inserted up against the stop screw in the needle bar.
3. Change the needle with a new needle. (705B prior to 1982 otherwise the 705H size 80 or 90.
If this has been done and the problem still exists, the correction will be found in the next logical order:

1. Check that the hook point has not been blunted or broken off.
2. Do you have normal top tension? Has the thread been accidentally wound around the spool pin or caught somewhere causing extreme top tension? Extreme top tension will not allow the normal condition of loop lifting formation. This extreme condition will not allow the hook point to pick up the needle thread.
The next three timing conditions can occur but not by themselves. Normally, it would take a Bernina Technician to solve.
1. Make sure that the hook driver was not removed and installed in the wrong tooth engagement.
2. Make sure that the vertical shaft gear was not backed off and re-engaged in the wrong tooth. An easy check here is that the needle and hook driver should move at exactly the same time when the handwheel is rotated back and forth.
3. Needle distance deviance can be casued generally by either the needle bar frame being forced so that the needle will appear too close to the front of the needle plate hole or, the entire hook race was moved back away from the back of the needle.
4. Return motion was altered. This should normally be 2.8mm.
5. Loop lift timing was altered. The loop lift setting here will be 1.8mm.

There is one other rare problem that can exist but it is not likely. If anyone needs this information please refer to the email listed. A special tool can be used for this repair.

AlsaceTech
January 2008

Thanks very much for you time, my problem has now been solved thanks to all your advice.

A. Milburn
August 2007

First how experienced of a sewer are you? If a novice then this will not be too much information, if not then you might go - 'duh'. Check the obvious - ensure that your stitch length is correct (#20 knob in the manual, not short - say at 3) - check that your needle and needle holder can be moved from side to side (e.g. move the needle position knob #17 to left to see if the needle moves to the left and move to the right to see if the needle moves to the right). Ensuring that the needle is in the centre position then check the selector lever for plain and utility stitching lever #13 in the manual (top of machine) - it needs to be set to 1 for zig zag. Make certain that you don't have the button holer engaged. It is the one with the horizontal black lines - for normal sewing it should be in the zero position knob #19. Lastly make certain that you are using knob #18 for zig zag width (above the buttonholer and the bigger knob behind knob #17. (I have been sewing for over 40 years and amazingly I can sometimes forget the obvious. I also use different machines so look for knobs that don't exist or turn the wrong one.) Also I would also clean and oil the machine (re page 58) I just cleaned and oiled mine today and I was surprised at how much lint was under the cover plate. If all else fails then it may be time for the trip to the sewing repair shop.
PS I am referencing the manual for the machine assuming you have it if not just email if you have any other questions.
ddjx2001@yahoo.com
Canada

D. Jorgensen
August 2007

Good day to you,
If you are not getting a zig stitch or any zig zag pattern, when you select zig zag is the needle actually moving from side to side?, if it is then it may be as simple as a bent or blunt needle, this minor thing alone will cause the problem because the point of the needle is too far away from the hook, if the needle is not moving from side to side when you have selected zig zag, let me know.
ken

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk
July 2007