Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
I need help! Can't get tension right for stipling >

I need help! Can't get tension right for stipling

I need help! Can't get tension right for stipling

Old 02-08-2008, 02:28 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Lisa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: East Texas
Posts: 594
Default

I am practicing my stipling and the top tension is just fine, but the bottom grrr! I have a Viking and I dropped the feed dogs, turned my control knob to zero for free motion. The only thing I can think of is to take a screw driver to the bobbin holder and I'm afraid of doing that, I'm afraid I'll never get it back to normal! Anyone have any ideas?
Lisa is offline  
Old 02-08-2008, 03:10 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Becky
Posts: 706
Default

Lisa
First check your book on tension control. I have mine set between 4-5, I meander and stipple all the time. Make sure there is no fuz from previous quilting projects in your bobbin casing, Don't fiddle with the screw, untill the last resort. Have you changed your needle? I use a needle for heavy fabric, such as denim. Sometimes it is the thread it's self, Also could be the thread in the bobbin not wound correctley. Some thread just dosen't do well. I have problems with rayon thread, In your manuel, there is usually a section for trouble shooting, read through that. If none of this works then ask Patrice......
Rebecca Chambley is offline  
Old 02-08-2008, 04:04 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Moonpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central FL
Posts: 4,829
Default

take a tiny bit of whiteout or nail polish to mark the screw location before you adjust the screw. When the screw and mark line back up, it is back in regular position.
Moonpi is offline  
Old 02-08-2008, 04:13 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
QuiltinLee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 535
Default

You could also get another bobbin holder so that you could just "play" with one. That way you wouldn't have to worry about messing it up.
QuiltinLee is offline  
Old 02-09-2008, 04:58 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 616
Default

Originally Posted by QuiltinLee
You could also get another bobbin holder so that you could just "play" with one. That way you wouldn't have to worry about messing it up.
this is what i thought on my Janome until i called and they have to be special ordered and are almost $40! then the guy told me to bring in my machine and he'd show me how to 'meander' and decide if my machine needed any 'fixin'. he said he 'caters to quilters' and very rarely does that bobbin tension need adjusting.
fabricluvr is offline  
Old 02-09-2008, 05:45 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Extreme Quilter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 383
Default

Sometimes, surprisingly, free motion quilting works better with the feed dogs UP. I can't explain why this happens on one occasion and not the other, but what have you got to lose? Good luck.
Extreme Quilter is offline  
Old 02-09-2008, 07:16 AM
  #7  
Moderator
 
kathy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: on the Texas Coast
Posts: 4,020
Default

if you don't have a balanced rythm of machine speed and fabric movement the bottom tension is going to be way off. I've done nearly 1/2 a quilt thinking I really had it going on because the top looked so good! NOT! You just can't move the fabric as fast as you think you should be able to, especially going sideways. Try slowing down but keep your machine going at a good pace, like when you're doing a nice straight seam.
kathy is offline  
Old 02-09-2008, 06:20 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
joannl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 314
Default

Lisa,
I have no advice but I think your avatar is soooo cute! Is that your little boy? A boy & his dog!
Jo
joannl is offline  
Old 02-09-2008, 09:52 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Lisa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: East Texas
Posts: 594
Default

Hey everyone, thanks for your input all of it is great advice. Rebecca your suggestion about the tension control was the that got me back on track. My machine does the tension automatically and I had messes with it thinking that it had to be all the way over also which wasn't the case, it worked just perfect between the 4 and 5 also. I appreciate all the advice about the actual movement while stippling, I have found that for me the machine needs to be going fairly fast while I move the fabric slow and steady, and Kathy your right about the sideways motion. I made a Turning Twenty quilt to practice on since they are so quick and easy just to practice on, I didn't want to try or experiment on something I had put alot of time and effort on. It is certainly jerky here and there but you "have to practice" to get better. I have practiced alot on small pieces but it was a whole new ball game when I put a full size quilt under the needle and tried to swisk it around, lol! Jo, thanks for the comment on my avatar! :P That is my grandson Owen and our last dog Pete!
Lisa is offline  
Old 02-10-2008, 02:42 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Becky
Posts: 706
Default

Lisa
I'm so happy, I could help in some small way. Sounds as tho your well on your way .
Rebecca Chambley is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DogHouseMom
Main
18
07-09-2012 04:52 PM
DawnFurlong
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
11
01-26-2012 03:25 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter