Stitchnripper

well it was serviced when I got it by the fellow I trust. From a lot of internet research and talking to quilting friends and reading Leah Day's site I think some machines have their own issues within the brand and model. I have done everything you suggested more than once. Tension is fine. Beautiful stitch. Breakage happens mostly when I move the sandwich from right to left. I can't feel any burrs on anything. I clean and oil regularly. I take the needle plate off and can't see anything. The thread cutter isn't anywhere near the needle. I've tried a lot of combinations of two holes or three holes or going from front to back and back to front. I don't think I am pulling it and I have lots of tables around for support. Maybe I'm doing something I'm not aware of. One of my new quilting friends said big cones work better than spools and to try and put the thread up higher than the machine. I'm almost ready tonquilt my next top and will see how that goes. I did get a Juki open toe foot and I think that helps somewhat too

I do appreciate all the suggestions and I am hopeful I will figure out the magic combination!!

rryder

Try angling your piece slightly when you need to stitch sideways rather than going directly sideways.

The difficulty may have to do with the location of the vertical bobbin on the side of the machine. I have a PQ1500s and have noticed that my machine will sometimes break threads if I am stitching sideways (can't remember if it's right to left or left to right) on a shape that requires more than just a few stitches. I can usually solve the problem by simply angling my piece a bit so that when I need to move the piece sideways I do so on a slight angle rather than a direct right to left line. It doesn't need to be much of an angle and doesn't require turning the quilt, just a quick repositioning of the section I'm currently working on.

According to Amy Johnson (who uses a Janome 8900 with a horizontal drop in bobbin at the front of the needle plate) the machines she uses will sometimes break thread during Fmq if the sandwich is being moved directly backwards. She mentioned something about the location of the bobbin having to do with it, her solution in that case is to slightly angle the piece when she needs to stitch backwards.

Rob

Stitchnripper

Thanks Rob. That makes a lot of sense. Will give it a try

Peckish

There is an active and helpful group on Yahoo. Search for PQ1500. One of the best benefits is the downloadable service manual for that machine.

How funny, it seems you have tried every needle except for the topstitch needle. Try it. It has a larger eye and a longer scarf, both of which mean less stress and friction on the thread.

Stitchnripper

whoops. I have tried the top stitch one too. I have quite the selection of needles now. I signed up for the yahoo group and got accepted I think but can't get into it. Is there a hint to finish the process?

Peckish

Gosh, it's been so long since I signed up I'm not sure what to tell you. I do remember that it took a couple of days to be approved. Have you been approved yet? Maybe send the moderator a message?

Stitchnripper

Yes I've been approved and get emails now and then, but can't find out how to log in. I keep getting the you are accepted screen and then I am supposed to click on something I don't get.

Peckish

You are supposed to click on something you don't get, as in an email?

I usually log in to the main Yahoo page, then at the very top of the page I click on "groups". On the left hand side of the page you will see a list of all the Yahoo groups you're a member of. You should be able to click on the PQ1500 group.

Stitchnripper

thanks. Will give it a try tomorrow.

Stitchnripper

i contacted the moderator and she sent me an invitation and now I am in!! And yesterday and today the machine cooperated. Thanks for the help.