Hi, I'm Jocelyn, one of the staff members at The Cotton Patch, and today I want to walk you through one of my favorite features on our Bernina Q20 sit-down longarm machine, the Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR), and explain the differences between its modes.
If you’ve ever tried free-motion quilting, you know how tricky it can be to keep your stitches even. That’s where the Bernina Stitch Regulator comes in. It’s a clever piece of technology that keeps your stitch length consistent, no matter how fast or slow you move your fabric.
Before quilting, I always start by pulling up the bobbin thread. One of my favorite features on Bernina machines is the foot pedal tap. Just tap the heel of the foot pedal (just like on your regular Bernina sewing machine), and the needle goes down automatically, hands-free! It’s such a small thing, but it makes setup smooth and efficient.
Today, you’ll find the BSR on many Bernina machines — including the 5 Series, 7 Series, 9 Series, and of course, the Q20.
BSR 2 – Stop-and-Go Control
In Mode 2, the machine only stitches when you move the fabric. As soon as you stop, it stops, which is perfect for beginners or anyone practicing control. You can pause to adjust your fabric or rethink your design without worrying about extra stitches.
BSR 3 – Basting Stitches
Mode 3 creates long basting stitches, great for holding layers together temporarily before hand quilting or final machine quilting. You can even adjust the length of your basting stitches for different projects.
Want to learn more? Watch my video below to see how smooth and enjoyable quilting can be with a little help from Bernina’s stitch-regulating magic.
If you’ve ever tried free-motion quilting, you know how tricky it can be to keep your stitches even. That’s where the Bernina Stitch Regulator comes in. It’s a clever piece of technology that keeps your stitch length consistent, no matter how fast or slow you move your fabric.
Meet the Bernina Q20
The Bernina Q20 gets its name from its generous 20-inch throat space. That’s the distance from the needle to the edge of the machine. It gives you plenty of room to move your quilt around comfortably, making it ideal for large projects.Before quilting, I always start by pulling up the bobbin thread. One of my favorite features on Bernina machines is the foot pedal tap. Just tap the heel of the foot pedal (just like on your regular Bernina sewing machine), and the needle goes down automatically, hands-free! It’s such a small thing, but it makes setup smooth and efficient.
What Is the Bernina Stitch Regulator?
The Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) was first introduced in 2004 on the Bernina 440, and it revolutionized free-motion quilting. It uses sensors to monitor the movement of your fabric under the needle, automatically adjusting the stitch speed to match your motion. That means your stitches stay the same length whether you’re gliding quickly across a quilt or working carefully in a detailed section.Today, you’ll find the BSR on many Bernina machines — including the 5 Series, 7 Series, 9 Series, and of course, the Q20.
The Four Bernina Stitch Regulator Modes
The BSR has three stitch-regulated modes and one manual mode. Each behaves a little differently, so you can choose the one that fits your quilting style.
BSR 1 – Continuous Motion
In Mode 1, the needle keeps moving even if you pause. This can help maintain rhythm and flow, especially when doing micro-quilting or very fine detail work. Your hands never have to stop and neither does your stitch line.
In Mode 1, the needle keeps moving even if you pause. This can help maintain rhythm and flow, especially when doing micro-quilting or very fine detail work. Your hands never have to stop and neither does your stitch line.
BSR 2 – Stop-and-Go Control
In Mode 2, the machine only stitches when you move the fabric. As soon as you stop, it stops, which is perfect for beginners or anyone practicing control. You can pause to adjust your fabric or rethink your design without worrying about extra stitches.
BSR 3 – Basting Stitches
Mode 3 creates long basting stitches, great for holding layers together temporarily before hand quilting or final machine quilting. You can even adjust the length of your basting stitches for different projects.
Manual Mode
Want to turn the regulator off entirely? Switch to manual mode, where your stitch length depends solely on how fast you move the fabric. This is how traditional free-motion quilting feels and it’s a great way to test your muscle memory and coordination.
Want to turn the regulator off entirely? Switch to manual mode, where your stitch length depends solely on how fast you move the fabric. This is how traditional free-motion quilting feels and it’s a great way to test your muscle memory and coordination.
Why We Love the Bernina Stitch Regulator
The BSR makes free-motion quilting so much more approachable, especially for beginners. It eliminates the guesswork of speed and consistency, letting you focus on design and movement instead. And on the Q20, with its spacious work area and flat surface, your hands can rest comfortably as you guide your quilt.Try It for Yourself!
If you’re curious about the Bernina Stitch Regulator or want to see the Q20 in action, stop by The Cotton Patch in Lafayette! We’re happy to let you take a test drive and experience the difference for yourself.Want to learn more? Watch my video below to see how smooth and enjoyable quilting can be with a little help from Bernina’s stitch-regulating magic.