Creating beautiful stitch pattern rows isn't just about choosing the perfect decorative stitch and thread—it's also about how you begin and end each row. 

Whether you're creating a Stitch Recipe with several rows of stitches or adding a single row of decorative stitches to a project, following the same routine every time will give you cleaner starts, secure finishes, and beautifully consistent results.

Let's walk through the process.    

01. Customize Status Bar & Sewing Settings

Customize the Status Bar Settings as follows:

• Needle Stop: Down
• Upper Thread Tension: Default (adjust as needed)
• Select & attach your preferred Presser Foot
• Presser Foot Pressure: Default
• BERNINA Camera (optional): As needed
• Pinpoint Laser: (optional but helpful)

Customize the Sewing Settings as follows:

• Sewing Speed: 600
• Securing Stitches: On
• Presser Foot Hover Position: Medium
• External Buttons:
  • Pattern End Button: Raise the Presser Foot
  • Thread Cutter:
    • Tie-Off > On > Secure in Place
    • Cut Thread

02. Select a Decorative Stitch Pattern & Align the Needle

Choose your favorite Decorative Stitch Pattern from the many patterns available and get ready to sew.

Then, using the Pinpoint Laser (if available), position the needle exactly where you want the first stitch of the pattern to begin.

03. Press Pattern Begin Button

This ensures your BERNINA starts at the very first stitch of the selected decorative stitch pattern.

04. Bring the Bobbin Thread to the Top

For the cleanest possible start:

• Press Needle Up/Down once.
• Raise the presser foot.
• Gently pull the upper thread to bring the bobbin thread to the top of the fabric.

This helps prevent loose thread tails on the back of your project.

05. Press Pattern Begin Button (again)

Because the machine took a stitch while bringing up the bobbin thread, press Pattern Begin Button again.

This returns the machine to the very beginning of the decorative stitch so your pattern starts exactly where it should.

06. Re-Align Your Needle

Again, using the Pinpoint Laser (if available), position the needle exactly where the first stitch is to be stitched.

07. Begin Sewing

Press the foot control to begin sewing.

Your machine will first sew the securing stitches before automatically stitching the decorative pattern.

08. Finish the Stitch Pattern

As you approach the final stitch pattern in the row, sew a few stitches into the last Stitch Pattern and press the Pattern End Button.

Your BERNINA will finish the current Stitch Pattern completely before stopping automatically.

09. Check the Placement

Once the machine stops, make sure the stitch pattern ends exactly where you want it.

If you'd like the row a little longer, simply sew another complete Stitch Pattern before finishing.

09. Secure and Trim the Threads

Press Thread Cutter.

Your machine will automatically:

• Sew the securing stitches.
• Cut the threads.
• Raise the presser foot.

Your decorative stitch row is now complete.

10. Repeat for Every Stitch Pattern Row

Following the same routine every time creates cleaner starts, secure finishes, and beautifully consistent decorative stitching.

With just a few extra steps, you'll spend less time troubleshooting and more time enjoying beautiful, professional-looking results.

Quick Reference

Starting a Row

✔ Press Pattern Begin

✔ Align your fabric

✔ Bring the bobbin thread to the top

✔ Press Pattern Begin again

✔ Re-align your fabric

✔ Begin sewing

Ending a Row

✔ Sew into the final stitch pattern

✔ Press Pattern End

✔ Allow the machine to finish the stitch pattern

✔ Press Thread Cutter

✔ Repeat for the next row

Ready to Learn Even More about making Stitch Recipes?

Take the Stitch Recipes: From Creation to Completion class and learn how to create custom stitch recipes, make the most of your machine's built-in features, and unlock the creative potential of your decorative stitch patterns. Whether you're just getting started or ready to take your skills further, this class will give you the confidence to create beautiful, personalized results.