Needle breaks when freemotion quilting
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 5
Needle breaks when freemotion quilting
When I do meandering/stippling style free motion I have no problem with breaking needles. When I try to do any circular pattern, little circles spirals, etc. my needle breaks. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong and how to correct this?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,752
Yes, it's typical when doing circles or spirals for folks to speed their hands up. Try making a conscious effort to slow your hands down but keep your machine speed up when you are doing circles or spirals and see if that helps. Alternatively, you could speed your machine up when you do circles and spirals.
You want to make sure you are not moving your hands faster than the needle is going up and down.
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You want to make sure you are not moving your hands faster than the needle is going up and down.
Rob<object type="cosymantecnisbfw" cotype="cs" id="SILOBFWOBJECTID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;"></object>
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,752
Tartan makes a good point, esp. if you are using a relatively thin needle. I generally use a size 14 Smets topstitch needle when FMQ and even with heavy thread buildup have never had a needle break.
Rob
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Rob
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#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Stronger needle, try a jeans or top stitch and Slow Down!
If you go too fast, you don't give the needle enough time to come completely out of the fabric. You move the fabric and because the needle's still in there, it bends just a tiny bit. Doesn't take much for the deflected needle to hit the throat plate and break. It's harder to bend a stiffer needle and by slowing down, you give the needle enough time to clear the fabric before you move it to the next stitch.
If you go too fast, you don't give the needle enough time to come completely out of the fabric. You move the fabric and because the needle's still in there, it bends just a tiny bit. Doesn't take much for the deflected needle to hit the throat plate and break. It's harder to bend a stiffer needle and by slowing down, you give the needle enough time to clear the fabric before you move it to the next stitch.
Last edited by PaperPrincess; 05-08-2016 at 03:41 PM.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,896
I attended a class once and the teacher made a great point. There is a rhythm to free motion. Your hands need to move with the sound of the machine. As long as they move at the same rate, your problem will be solved.
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