I've never had this problem before, and I don't know what to do.
#1
Super Member
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
I've never had this problem before, and I don't know what to do.
I'm FMQing my latest quilt. I have several fabric strips that are 3" wide and I'm doing a different pattern in each strip. Everything is going really well when I noticed that one of the fabrics had spots where the stitches looked like they didn't stitch. I took it all out and thought maybe I'd forgotten to put the presser foot down...... I forgot to mention, I'm changing colors of thread to match each fabric strip. The fabric that looked like stitches were not catching was prewashed, is black, but it does feel slightly stiffer than many of the others. It was a fat quarter that a friend had given me.
Okay, I have another strip of black and I figured I'd go back and restitch that pesty fabric when I put the black thread on and stitched the other black piece. ..... stitched one black piece (different black fabric).... stitches look fine. Went back to re-stitch the pesty fabric and paid closer attention. It was skipping large spaces again... What's that about???
So, now, I don't know what to try. I don't want to have to replace the fabric.... I'm way too far for that. Do you think I could put thin paper over that strip and try stitching over that? I had put a new needle in before I started this quilt. I'm really stumped. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any suggestions for things to try?? Help....
Okay, I have another strip of black and I figured I'd go back and restitch that pesty fabric when I put the black thread on and stitched the other black piece. ..... stitched one black piece (different black fabric).... stitches look fine. Went back to re-stitch the pesty fabric and paid closer attention. It was skipping large spaces again... What's that about???
So, now, I don't know what to try. I don't want to have to replace the fabric.... I'm way too far for that. Do you think I could put thin paper over that strip and try stitching over that? I had put a new needle in before I started this quilt. I'm really stumped. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any suggestions for things to try?? Help....
#3
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
Yes, I have more. I can try that but it's like the thread isn't getting caught underneath in the bobbin area. I'll try that. The quilt is close to being done..... ARgh!! Thanks for the suggestion.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 981
Could be several reasons. One would be a finish on the fabric that is resisting stitches and another reason could be that the fabric is off grain and the needle is not lining up with the bobbin thread to make good stitches. I have experienced both of these problems. You can try these things: try changing to an embroidery needle or micro-needle or titanium needle, sew over tearaway stabilizer and remove after stitching, and try another type of thread. Hope you are able to resolve the problem, good luck.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
I just had that issue with the border on the quilt I'm finishing now. I tightened up the top tension & it improved. I also cleaned the bobbin case & switched to a fresh needle & that took care of it completely.
#8
I have had this happen. I bought 4 pieces of batik fabric from the same shop. I didn't have any problems with 3 of them but the 4th had skipped stitches. I changed the needle, rethreaded the machine, etc thinking that was the problem. What finally convinced me it was the fabric was when I did some test runs on that fabric using scraps. I overcame the problem by readjusting my tension. I just fiddle with it until I got it to look good. Fabric can make a difference.
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
Try stitching through tissue paper to see if it helps. I recently had black fabric that for some reason my Bernina BSR would not read. I switched to my regular FMQ foot and managed to finish. I never found out what the trouble was and I tried new needle, different thread, tension etc. Good luck.
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