How to Thread a Bernina Serger: A Step-by-Step Guide

For today's sewist, a serger is an indispensable asset. Once sewers grow accustomed to the advantages of this versatile machine, many find it hard to imagine sewing without one. Threading a Bernina serger, though, can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, Bernina has streamlined the process, incorporating color-coded thread paths that guide you through proper threading. The majority of the items required for this task are provided in the Bernina serger toolbox that accompanies your machine.

Step 1

Assign numbers to each thread path, beginning from the left side of your Bernina serger. The first thread goes to the left needle, and the second goes to the right needle. The third thread path leads to the upper looper, and the fourth corresponds to the lower looper. On compatible models, a fifth thread path is for the coverstitch function. The threading order for your Bernina serger is as follows: 3, 4, 2, 1.

Step 2

Extend the metal thread guide upward from the telescoping rod located immediately behind the thread holders on your serger.

Step 3

Set a cone of serger thread on each of the four thread holders and use your thread snips or sharp scissors to trim each end.

Step 4

Switch off the Bernina serger and open the front cover by pushing it slightly to the right and then pulling it toward you.

Step 5

Raise the presser foot.

Step 1

Take the No. 3 thread (upper looper) and draw it upward toward the clip in the thread guide rod situated directly above the spool. Thread it through the clip from back to front.

Step 2

Draw the thread downward from the guide rod. Pass it through the metal guide clip at the back of the serger, directly in front of the thread holder you are using. Grasp the thread just below this clip and pull it down into the thread tension knob.

Step 3

Follow the color-coded path and insert the thread into the series of thread guide clips that run down the machine and behind where you opened the front cover. Two clips are directly behind the cover, while one is on a metal arm screwed below these clips. The final clip is on the stitch finger that moves up and down when you turn the flywheel.

Step 4

Use the tweezers to grasp the thread end and pass it through the hole in the upper looper eye. This is located directly above and to the left of the last guide clip and points toward the left side of the machine.

Step 5

Pull several inches of thread away from the back of the upper looper eye and position it under the presser foot.

Step 1

Repeat steps 1 and 2 from section 2, but use the No. 4 thread (lower looper) located to the right of the previous thread.

Step 2

Draw the thread downward and into the two thread guide clips on the correct color-coded path, to the right of the previous thread path. Place the thread into the same clip that holds the upper looper thread, located on the arm screwed toward the bottom of the machine.

Step 3

Find the next thread guide, to the left and slightly below the previous clip. Hook the thread into that guide. Push down the lever at the bottom of this metal piece to expose the thread guide hook. Pull the thread into that hook from left to right.

Step 4

Locate the sideways V-shaped, grooved lower looper eye that points toward the right side of the machine. With the tweezers, grasp the thread end and insert it into the hole. Pull the thread over the already-threaded upper looper eye, under the presser foot, and toward the back of the Bernina serger.

Step 5

Raise the lever that was lowered in step 3 of this section.

Step 1

Repeat steps 1 and 2 of section 2, but use the second thread.

Step 2

Pull the thread to the left at the bottom of the thread path, cross the first thread channel, and then pull the thread straight upward into the needle thread channel.

Step 3

Pull the thread left at the thread path channel, bring it downward, and hook it into the clip directly below the inverted U-shaped thread channel path.

Step 4

Clip the right needle thread into the flat needle guide directly above the right serger needle. Grasp the end with tweezers and slip the thread into the eye of the right needle. Pull the thread toward the back of the machine.

Step 1

Repeat steps 1 to 3 of section 4 with the first thread on the Bernina serger.

Step 2

Place the thread into the left-hand side of the flat needle thread guide directly above the left needle.

Step 3

Grasp the end of the thread with the tweezers and feed it through the eye of the left needle. Pull the thread toward the back of the machine.