Bernina dcet 2500 Operation instructions

1999 BERNINA of America
Mastering the
BERNINA
BERNINABERNINA
BERNINA


2500 SERIES
OWNER’S GUIDECLASS
WORKBOOK
SECTION A
LETS START WITH THE BASICS

1999 BERNINA of America page 2
SECTION A – LETS START WITH THE BASICS
MACHINE SET UP
• Identifying the Serger Parts – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Attaching the Foot Control and Power Cord – Instruction Manual pg.____
• Assembling the Thread Stand – Instruction Manual pg.___
• The Waste Collector
• Power Switch – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Light Switch– Instruction Manual pg.___
• The Looper Cover – Instruction Manual pg.___
Loopers – what are they? – Instruction Manual pg.___
Tool Storage
Safety Feature – machine won’t sew when the Cover is open
• Swing Out Presser Foot – Instruction Manual pg.___
For easier threading
For easier removal and insertion of Needles
Safety feature – the machine won’t sew
Use the Needle Stop Button to raise the Needles
Raise the Presser Foot
Swing the Presser Foot to the left
• Free Arm Cover – Instruction Manual pg.___
For serging tubular projects
Slides off to engage free arm
THREADS – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Types to use
• The importance of quality threads
NEEDLES – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Always start with a new Needle
• Match the Needle to the fabric and thread – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Change the Needle often
• Using the Needle Inserter
• Loosening/re-tightening Needle screws
STITCH SELECTION DIAL – STITCH SELECTION PANEL
• Selecting stitches
• Understanding the code – Instruction Manual pg.___

1999 BERNINA of America page 3
NEEDLE STOP BUTTON – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Needle Up - Overlock sewing
• Needle Down – Cover/Chain Stitch sewing
CONVERSION TO OVERLOCK SEWING
• Conversion Chart – Instruction Manual pg.___
• The Converter Arm
Use the Needle Stop Button to lower the Needles
• Removing the Cover/Chain Stitch Extension Plate – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Installing the Knife Guard – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Raising/Lowering the Knife Arm– Instruction Manual pg.___
• Rotating the Upper Knife into Cutting Position– Instruction Manual pg.___
THREADING FOR OVERLOCK SERGING
• Cone Holders and Spool Caps – Instruction Manual pg.___
Cone Holders used for large cones of serger thread
Turn the Cone Holders upside down for the larger based cone threads.
Spool Caps used for “normal” sewing thread and decorative thread spools
• Raise the Presser Foot when threading
Releases the pressure on the tension disks
• The Threading Path – Instruction Manual pg.___
Use the road map inside the Looper Cover as a quick reference guide.
• Threading the First Thread Guide on All Threads – Instruction Manual pg.___
Wrap the thread from left to right to lock the thread into the guide.
• Threading Order
First – Upper Looper
This thread lies against the body of the serger.
Second – Lower Looper
Third – Center Needle
Fourth – Left Needle
• Thread the Upper Looper – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Thread the Lower Looper – Instruction Manual pg.___
The Lower Looper Auto Threader – Instruction Manual pg.___
Rotate the Handwheel to bring the Looper to the right before engaging
the Looper Threader
• Thread the Center Needle -– Instruction Manual pg.___
• The Needle Clamp Guide – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Optional - Using the Quick Needle Threader from a BERNINA sewing machine.
• Thread the Left Needle – Instruction Manual pg.___

1999 BERNINA of America page 4
TEST SEWING – Instruction Manual pg.___
• Lift the Toe to place the fabric under the Presser Foot
• Lift the Presser Foot for thick fabric or when accurate fabric placement
is needed.
• Chain off the fabric.
• Use the built in Thread Cutter to cut the Thread Chain.

1999 BERNINA of America page 5
TENSION THEORY
A BALANCED 4-THREAD STITCH
Instruction Manual pg.___
Serger Library -
Tips and Tricks
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to select “A” on the Stitch Display panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch using thread colors to match
the Color-Coded Threading Path on the serger.
•Fold the fabric in half to 3” X 6”.
•To begin stitching, lift the front of the Presser Foot with your right thumb
and slide the fabric under the Presser Foot. Release the tip of the Presser
Foot and begin serging.
•Serge to the end of the fabric.
•Continue stitching off the fabric until you have a 3”- 4” Thread Chain.
•Locate the Thread Cutter on the left side of the serger and cut the thread
chain (from right to left).
•Examine the serger stitch formation and compare it to the balanced stitch
graphic on page__ of the Instruction Manual.
•Read the information under Fine Tuning on page__ of the Instruction Manual
for information about the stitch formation and correcting any stitch
irregularities.
•Make any necessary tension adjustments and serge another row of stitching.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: Firm fabric 6” X 6”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
(yellow,green,blue,red)
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 6
ADJUSTING TENSIONS
Instruction Manual pg.____
Serger Library – Tips and Tricks
LOWER LOOPER
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to select “A” on the Stitch
Display panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch using thread
colors to match the Color-Coded Threading Path on the serger.
•Fold each piece of the firm fabric to 1½” X 4” and set aside.
•Locate the Fine Tuning levers on the front of the serger. From
left to right these levers adjust tension for the Left Needle,
the Center Needle, the Upper Looper or Right Needle, and
the Lower Looper.
•Adjust the Lower Looper Fine Tuning Lever to increase (up)
the tension on the Looper thread.
•Place the first piece of folded fabric under the Presser Foot
with the fold to the right and serge to the end of the fabric,
cutting off the fold.
•Examine the sample. The Looper threads do not lock on the
edge of the fabric. The Upper Looper thread is pulled tightly
to the back of the stitch. The Left Needle thread may be
pulled to the back of the stitch.
• Trim, label, and mount the sample.
• Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to return
tensions to normal.
• Adjust the Lower Looper Fine Tuning Lever to decrease (down)
the tension on the Looper thread.
• Serge the second piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold.
• Examine the sample. The Looper threads do not lock on the
edge of the fabric. The Lower Looper thread is visible on the
face of the fabric. The Looper threads are very loose.
• Label, trim, and mount the sample.
FABRIC: 6 pieces of firm woven fabric 3” X 4”
1 piece of light weight woven cotton 3” X 4”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
(yellow,green,blue,red)
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 7
UPPER LOOPER
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to return tensions to normal.
•Adjust the Upper Looper Fine Tuning Lever to increase (up) the tension on the
Looper thread.
•Serge the third piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold.
•Examine the sample. The Looper threads do not lock on the edge of the fabric. The
Lower Looper thread is pulled tightly to the front of the stitch.
•Label, trim, and mount the sample.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to return tensions to normal.
•Adjust the Upper Looper Fine Tuning Lever to decrease (down) the tension on the
Looper thread.
•Serge the fourth piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold.
•Examine the sample. The Looper threads do not lock on the edge of the fabric. The
Upper Looper thread is visible on the back of the fabric. The Looper threads are
very loose.
•Label, trim, and mount the sample.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to return tensions to normal.

1999 BERNINA of America page 8
CENTER NEEDLE
•Adjust the Center Needle Fine Tuning Lever to decrease
(down) the tension on the Needle thread.
•Serge the fifth piece of folded fabric cutting off the fold.
•Examine the sample. The Needle thread forms a large loop on
the back of the fabric.
•Label, trim, and mount the sample.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to
return tensions to normal.
LEFT NEEDLE
•Adjust the Left Needle Fine Tuning Lever to decrease (down)
the tension on the Needle thread.
•Serge the sixth piece of fabric cutting off the fold.
•Examine the sample. The Needle thread forms a large loop on
the back of the fabric.
•Label, trim, and mount the sample.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to
return tensions to normal.
Both Needles
•Adjust both the Left and Center Needle Fine Tuning
Levers to increase (up) the tension on the Needle threads.
•Fold the piece of lightweight woven cotton fabric to 1½” X 4”.
•Serge the folded fabric, cutting off the fold.
•Examine the sample. The stitch is puckering the fabric.
•Label, trim, and mount the sample.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to
return tensions to normal.

1999 BERNINA of America page 9
STITCH LENGTH ADJUSTMENT
Instruction Manual pg.___
•Fold the fabric in half to 3” X 6”.
•Using a Fabric Marker, divide the fabric into four equal sections along the
folded edge.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to select “A” on the Stitch Display panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
•Locate the Stitch Length Dial on the right end of the machine.
•Turn the Stitch Length Dial to 4.
•Serge to the first mark along the folded edge of the fabric, trimming the
folded edge as you serge.
•Turn the Stitch Length Dial, adjusting the Stitch Length to 3 and serge to
the second mark.
•Adjust Stitch Length to 2 and serge to the third mark.
•Adjust Stitch Length to 1 and serge to the end of the fabric.
•Mark the Stitch Length settings on the sample.
•Compare the Stitch Length sample to the Balanced 4-thread sample to see how
Stitch Length affects the balance of the Overlock stitch.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: Firm fabric 6” X 6”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 10
CUTTING WIDTH ADJUSTMENTS
Instruction Manual pg,___
•Fold the fabric in half to 3” X 6”.
•Divide and mark the fabric into 3 equal sections along the folded edge.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to select “A” on the Stitch Selection Panel.
•Turn the Stitch Length Dial to 2.5 (normal).
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
•Locate the Cutting Width adjustment Dial.
•Rotate the Upper Knife up.
•Adjust Cutting Width to 3.
•Rotate the Upper Knife down into Cutting Position.
•Serge to the first mark on the fabric, stopping when the Knife edge is on the
mark.
•Adjust Cutting Width to 2 and serge to the second mark.
•Adjust the Cutting Width to 1 and serge to the end of the fabric.
•Mark the Cutting Width settings on the sample.
•Rotate the Upper Knife up.
•Adjust Cutting Width to 2 (normal).
•Rotate the Upper Knife down into Cutting Position.
•Compare the Cutting Width sample to the Balanced 4-thread sample to see how
Cutting Width affects the balance of the Overlock stitch.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: Firm fabric 6” X 6”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 11
DIFFERENTIAL FEED
FABRICS THAT STRETCH
Instruction Manual pg.___
BernetteAdvanced Guide Workbook pg.___
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “A” on the Stitch Selection Panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
•Adjust Stitch Length to 2.5 (normal).
•Locate the Differential Feed Dial on the right end of the machine and adjust to
“N”(normal).
•Serge two of the ribbing pieces together along the 5” side.
•Turn the Differential Feed Dial to 2.
•Stitching along the 5” side, serge the remaining ribbing to the other side of the piece.
•Return the Differential Feed Dial to “N” (normal).
•Compare the seams to see how Differential Feed settings reduce stretching.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: 3 pieces ribbing each cut
2”cut the length of the fabric
5” cut the width of the fabric
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 12
DIFFERENTIAL FEED
FABRICS THAT PUCKER
Instruction Manual pg.____
BernetteAdvanced Guide Workbook pg.____
Serger Library – Construction Basics
•Using a Fabric Marker, divide the fabric in half along the 6” edge.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “A” on the Stitch Selection Panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
•Adjust the Stitch Length to 2.5 (normal).
•Serge to the mark.
•Adjust the Differential Feed Dial to 0.7.
•Serge to the end of the fabric.
•Return the Differential Feed Dial to “N” (normal).
•Compare the two stitchings to see how the Differential Feed settings can
reduce fabric puckering.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: Batiste 3” X 6”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 13
DIFFERENTIAL FEED
Gathering and Easing
Instruction Manual pg.___
BernetteAdvanced Guide Workbook pg.___
•Using a Fabric Marker divide the fabric into 3 equal sections along the 12” side.
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “A” on the Stitch Selection Panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
•Turn the Differential Feed Dial to 2.
•Serge to the first mark.
•Adjust Stitch Length to 4 and serge to the second mark.
•Locate the Fine Tuning Levers for the left and Center Needles.
•Move the Fine Tuning Levers up to increase the Needle tensions.
•Serge to the end of the fabric.
•Return the Differential Feed to “N” (normal).
•Return the Stitch Length to 2.5 (normal).
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “B” and then to “A” to return tensions to normal.
•Mark the sample: Differential Feed 2; Differential Feed 2 & Stitch Length 4;
Differential Feed 2 & Stitch Length 4 & Increased Needle tension.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: Medium weight woven cotton 3” X 12”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 14
SECURING THE SEAM
Instruction Manual pg.___
Bernette Advanced Guide
Workbook pg.___
Serger Library
Tips and Tricks
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “A” on the Stitch Selection Panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
Note – If you are using a Wavy Rotary Cutter or pinking shears to trim the samples, do all
trimming before beginning to sew this sample.
•Fold the fabric in half to 2” X “6” and place the fabric under the Presser Foot.
•Take 2-3 stitches on the fabric.
•Locate the Needle Stop Button on the front of the serger (left side).
•Press the Needle Stop Button to lower the Needles into the fabric.
•Raise the Presser Foot and with your left hand gently pull the Thread Chain around the Needles
to the Knife.
•Lower the Presser Foot and continue serging (cutting off the excess Thread Chain) until you are
one (1) stitch off the end of the fabric.
•Locate the Rolled Hem Selection Lever on the right side of the cloth plate.
•Pull the Rolled Hem Selection Lever towards you, releasing the Thread Chain from the stitch
finger.
•Raise the Presser Foot and carefully flip the fabric over so that the Lower Looper side of the
previously serged seam will be overstitched.
•Place the fabric under the Presser Foot so that the first stitch will enter the fabric when you
begin stitching.
•Slide the Rolled Hem Selection Lever towards the body of the serger.
•Serge for about 1”, overstitching the previous stitching. Guide the fabric so as not to cut
the previous stitching. Option - Rotate the Upper Knife up.
•Raise the Toe of the Presser Foot and rotate the fabric 90°clockwise.
•Serge off the edge of the fabric.
•If the Knife is up, rotate the Upper Knife down into the Cutting Position.
•Mount the sample.
FABRIC: M e d i u m w e i g h t c o t t o n 4 ” X 6 ”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard

1999 BERNINA of America page 15
SERGING A TUBULAR PROJECT
Instruction Manual pg.___
Bernette Advanced Guide Workbook pg.___
•Turn the Stitch Selection Dial to “A” on the Stitch Selection Panel.
•Thread the serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch.
•With right sides together, seam the fabric into a tube along the 3” side.
•Press the seam to one side. (The Upper Looper thread is the right side of
the seam.)
•On one 12” side of the tube, cut away a 2” X ¼” section of fabric.
•Locate and remove the Free-Arm/Cloth Plate Cover (left side of the serger).
•Raise the Presser Foot.
•Position the tube of fabric around the free-arm and under the Presser Foot
with the Knife in the center of the cutout.
•Lower the Presser Foot and serge around the tube, cutting off ¼”. Stop
serging when the Knife enters the cutout.
•Rotate the Knife up.
•Continue serging to complete the circle, overlapping the previous stitching by 1”.
•Raise the Presser Foot and rotate the fabric clockwise.
•Lower the Presser Foot and serge off the edge of the fabric.
•Return the Knife to the normal Cutting Position.
•Return the Free-Arm/Cloth Plate Cover to the machine.
•Trim and mount the sample.
FABRIC: Firm fabric 3” X 12”
NEEDLES: 80/12 Universal
THREAD: 4 cones of serger thread
PRESSER FOOT: Standard
Cut out

1999 BERNINA of America page 16
The Care and Feeding of Your BERNINASerger
Cleaning and Oiling
Instruction Manual pg.___
•Clip all threads at the Thread Guide Support.
•Lift the Presser Foot to release (open) the Thread Tension Disks.
•Gently pull the threads from the serger. Always remove the threads in the
direction of sewing. If you encounter any resistance, stop and rotate the
Handwheel slightly to release the threads from around the Loopers.
•Open the Looper Cover.
•Rotate the Upper Knife up.
•Using a Vacuum Cleaner Adapter or a 1” Cosmetic Brush, remove all lint and
fluff from the Looper, Knife and Feed Dog areas of the machine.
•Following the Oiling Guide inside the Looper Cover, place a drop of oil on each
of the two Oiling Points.
•Remove old Needles and replace them with new Needles.
•Rotate the Upper Knife down into the Cutting Position.
Replacing the Knifes
Instruction Manual pg.___
! Serger Knives cut fabric as it is stitched. Just as shears can become dull
through repeated use, serger Knives are also dulled as they cut fabric.
! If the Knives begin to “chew” instead of cut, consider replacing the Lower
Knife.
! If you sew over pins and cut them or run into them with the serger Knives,
both Knives should be replaced.
! Your Authorized BERNINATechnician will need to replace the Upper Knife
for you.

1999 BERNINA of America page 17
TO REPLACE THE LOWER KNIFE:
DO THIS ONLY WHEN NECESSARY, NOT DURING YOUR
NEW OWNER’S CLASSES.
•Turn the serger off and unplug the Power Cord from the machine.
•Rotate the Handwheel until the Needles are in their highest position.
•Raise the Presser Foot.
•Swing the Presser Foot to the left.
•Open the Looper Cover.
•Rotate the Upper Knife up.
•With the tip of your finger, assess the level of the Lower Knife in relation to the
Throat Plate.
•Locate the Set Screw and Clamp holding the Lower Knife in place.
• Loosen the Set Screw and Clamp.
•Rotate the Clamp out of the way.
•Remove the damaged/dulled Lower Knife Blade.
•Insert a new Lower Knife Blade into the Groove.
•Rotate the Clamp into position.
•Snug the screw to hold the Knife in place.
•With the tip of your finger, access the level of the Lower Knife in relation to
the Throat Plate. Slide the Lower Knife up/down until the upper edge of the
Knife is correctly positioned in relation to the Throat Plate.
•Tighten the Set Screw.
•Check the upper edge of the Knife to see that it hasn’t shifted.
•Return the Presser Foot to the sewing position.
•Rotate the Upper Knife down into Cutting Position.

1999 BERNINA of America page 18
WISH LIST
Lets Start with the Basics
•Carrying Case
•BernetteAdvanced Guide Workbook and Supplement I
•Serger Cone Thread color________
color________
color________
color________
•Needlessize____ and type____
size____ and type____
size____ and type____
size____ and type____
•Quick Needle Threader
•Seam sealant
•Fabric Marking Pen
•Rotary Cutter
•Wavy Cutting blade
•BERNINA14” ruler
•BERNINACutting Mat
•Fabric Glue Stick
•Large Eye Tapestry/Darning Needles
•Point Well Taken by Garbers and O'Brien
•Vacuum Cleaner Attachment
•1” Wide Cosmetic Brush

1999 BERNINA Of America Section B - page1
SECTION B – 4-THREAD TECHNIQUES
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SEAMING
• Use a 4-thread Overlock stitch for most fabrics
The Right Needle stitching helps to prevent fabric rolling within
the serger stitch.
• Accurate seaming
Attach the Right Hand Seam Guide when working with standard patterns
requiring a 5/8” seam allowance – Instruction Manual pg.____
Adjust the Guide from the Left Needle.
Use a 6” Ruler/Gauge to measure.
• Secure seam ends if you will not be stitching across them again.
• Adjust Presser Foot Pressure for very thick or thin fabrics –Instruction
Manual pg.____
SERGING KNITS
• Use Ballpoint or Stretch Needles to prevent damage to the fabric.
• Woolly Nylon in the Loopers adds to the stretch of the serger stitch.
• Stitch Selection Panel
Position “B” automatically adjusts tensions for Woolly Nylon.
• Adjust Stitch Length to 3 for most seam applications.
• To prevent fabric stretching during sewing
Differential Feed –Instruction Manual pg.____
Presser Foot Pressure –Instruction Manual pg.____
Built-In Tape Guide -–Instruction Manual pg.____
SERGING WOVENS
• Use Universal, Sharp or Microtex Needles.
• Match the serger cone thread to the fabric’s fiber content and color.
• Adjust Stitch Length to 2.5 for medium to heavy fabrics.
• Adjust Stitch Length to 2 for lightweight fabrics.
• Whenever possible work with opposing seams (one seam allowance pressed
to the left and one seam allowance pressed to the right) as you join
seamed pieces together.

1999 BERNINA Of America Section B - page2
OPTIONAL PRESSER FEET
The Elasticator Foot
– Instruction Manual for Elasticator
For attaching elastic from 5-12mm (¼” to ½”) wide.
Adjust Presser Foot Pressure to “H” –Instruction Manual pg.____
Adjust Stitch Length to 4.
Gathering Attachment – Instruction Sheet for Gathering Attachment
What affects gathering?
Type and weight of fabric
Differential Feed–Instruction Manual pg.____
Stitch Length
Needle Tension–Instruction Manual pg.____
Gathering to a piece of fabric
Use the Gathering Attachment with other Presser Feet.