Creative articles about quilting

Master Free-Motion Quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990

In my previous posts, I already took you through the creation process of my quilt, made with the new B 990.

Master Free-Motion Quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990

You can read the previously published articles here:

In today’s post, we’ll turn our attention to the BiSR of the BERNINA 990. I am going to show you how to master free-motion quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990.

Image of BERNINA 990.

BERNINA 990

14″ Sewing space to the right of the needle ✓10″Centrally Located Color Touch Screen with Multi Touch Gestures ✓BERNINA Placement Scanner & Camera ✓Giant Embroidery Hoop (410 x 305 mm, 16.1″x 12″) ✓BERNINA Integrated Stitch Regulator (BISR) ✓ Jumbo Stitch: Resize stitch patterns from 25% to 500% ✓Automatic Needle Threader ✓Automatic Stitch Plate Detection ✓ 

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What is the BiSR?

You might already be familiar with the BSR – the BERNINA Stitch Regulator. Starting with the 4 Series, all current BERNINA sewing computers feature this function. You can use it as long as you have the matching presser foot, the BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR).

Image of BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR).

BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR)

Perfect for free-motion quilting with a controlled stitch length ✓  The sewing speed adapts automatically to the speed of the moving fabric ✓  Automatic control of the stitch length ensures absolutely even stitch formation ✓  For 5.5 mm & 9 mm machines with BSR function ✓ 

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On its underside, there’s an “eye” that ensures every stitch is made in the selected length, regardless of how fast or slow you move the fabric through the machine. To use it, the feed dogs must be lowered.

Naturally, the new and magical BERNINA 990 also features this function, but in a much more luxurious version. The “i” in BiSR stands for “integrated.” In this model, the stitch regulator is built into the machine. The previously mentioned presser foot is no longer needed to use the BSR function.

In addition, the feed dogs of the B 990 no longer need to be manually lowered. The machine does this automatically as soon as BiSR is selected or the matching stitch plate is inserted. The machine detects the stitch plate automatically. With this much convenience, we can fully focus on our sewing!

You can learn more about the BiSR of the B 990 in this video:

Which feet can be used with the BiSR function?

You might be wondering what the advantage is of no longer being tied to a specific foot (with three different interchangeable soles) when using BiSR. The answer: many! Practically all presser feet designed for use with dropped feed dogs can now be used in combination with the BiSR function.

Here’s a general overview of the most common types:

Ruler Quilting

Master free-motion quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990. Ruler quilters will love this new feature—it finally allows the use of feet designed for ruler templates – the Adjustable Ruler Foot #72 and Adjustable Ruler Foot with Slit #72S – in combination with the BSR function. Many of you have waited a long time for this! From now on, every stitch in ruler quilting will be perfect and consistent in length!

Image of Adjustable Ruler Foot with Slit #72S.

Adjustable Ruler Foot with Slit #72S

Switch foot without cutting the thread ✓ For quilting with 1/4-inch-thick rulers ✓ For free-motion quilting ✓ Combine with Couching Inserts for couching ✓ For 5.5 mm and 9 mm machines ✓

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Image of Adjustable Ruler Foot #72.

Adjustable Ruler Foot #72

Decorative quilt designs such as lines, feathers, circles etc. ✓   are created using a ¼-inch-thick ruler ✓  Markings on the inside and outside for simple, precise sewing ✓  The dial lets you adjust the height of the foot individually to the fabric thickness ✓  For 5.5 mm and 9 mm machines ✓ 

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Master Free-Motion Quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990

Free-Motion Quilting

Free-motion quilters also have a wide selection of feet available for use with BiSR, such as the Adjustable Stippling Foot #73.

Image of Adjustable Stippling Foot #73.

Adjustable Stippling Foot #73

<div class="product-desc"> For free-motion quilting & embroidery ✓  Perfect for quilting small designs & detail work ✓  Height adjustable for fabrics up to 1/6″ thick ✓  Matte grey coating eliminates glare ✓  </div>

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Free-Motion Embroidery and Appliqué

Personally, I love using the BiSR for free-motion embroidery and appliqué. Since the machine calculates and sews the perfect stitch length for me, I can fully focus on my creative process. Every stitch looks exactly the same. Wonderful!

For example, the flower and matching ribbon on this crocodile were stitched using the BSR/BiSR – as well as the small eyes, eyebrows, and spikes along the back.

Master Free-Motion Quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990

Lettering pre-fused with Vliesofix can be beautifully outlined or appliquéd with the BiSR. Since multiple layers are stitched on top of each other, it’s a big advantage to reduce the speed while still achieving a perfectly consistent stitch pattern.

In this example, felt elements were needle-felted using the Needle-punch tool for rotary hook machines and overstitched using the BSR/BiSR.

Image of Needle-punch tool for rotary hook machines.

Needle-punch tool for rotary hook machines

Designed for sewing machines with a rotary hook, the PunchWork tool for rotary-, B9- and BERNINA-hook machines enables you to needle-felt on wool fabrics and loden.

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Master Free-Motion Quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990

For my B 990 quilt, I “colored in” the previously stitched decorative and jumbo stitches using the BiSR of the B 990, making them an even bigger eye-catcher!

Master Free-Motion Quilting with BiSR on the BERNINA 990

As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Let your creativity run wild!

Next time, we’ll be quilting with the embroidery module of the B 990!

Until then, best regards,

Yours truly, Claudia from Il Coccolino

Difficulty level: Advanced
Time to Complete: Weekend
Used Products:
BERNINA 990
BERNINA 990
Adjustable Ruler Foot #72
Adjustable Ruler Foot #72
Adjustable Ruler Foot with Slit #72S
Adjustable Ruler Foot with Slit #72S
Adjustable Stippling Foot #73
Adjustable Stippling Foot #73
BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR)
BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR)
Needle-punch tool for rotary hook machines
Needle-punch tool for rotary hook machines

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