Can you have a red top thread and a whute bottom thread?
 

I would like to stitch in the ditch with a red thread on top and a white thread showing on the backing.
I have tried to do this on 3 different sewing machines. Either I can see the white thread peeking thru on top or the red thread peeking thru on the backing.

I know that theoretically this is possible since the lock stitch should be right in the center between the top and the backing. In my case it should be in the batting.

Has anyone tried this and actually made it happen?

Mary Lou

I can do it with straight stitching, but never get it right for FMQ.

I agree with the others. I always use the same color thread for top and bottom when FMQ with a busy fabric with the main color being the same color I'm using for quilting.

It's virtually impossible to do unless you have very thick batting. There is just not enough space for the threads to connect in a thinner batting and quilting whether LA or fmg means you are manipulating either the machine or the fabric a lot more than when just plain sewing. I can do it on my longarm if the threads are at least in the same color family and the backing is not plain, but I would not choose to try it with white and red unless the backing was very very busy and the red porkies wouldn't show on the back.

I did it recently with a red varigated on top and a yellow on the bottom. It was no problem FMQ on the 301, but when I switched to a newer machine for a decorative stitch, it was not as perfect. Way too much red on the bottom.

Last night I did bright orange on the top and pale blue on the bottom FMQ a border. Perfect again with the 301.

You just need to play with the top tension. I have good luck with the tension on 2 or right before the 2 with the presser foot down. I just finished quilting with a varigated yellow to dark brown on top and dark brown on the back. If any pokies I want them on the back. FMQ is about all I do. Good luck.

I've done it with my Janome. It is difficult to get the tension just right, but it can be done. Some machines are just hard to get along with.
Sue

It is possible, but takes some effort to get the sewing machine tension just right. If you get it just right (took me three hours one day) make sure that you remember what the setting is because you don't want to go through that again. I have several different tension settings taped to the side of my machine, as an easy reference when I start to quilt. My machine actually likes different settings with different batting, so I have included that information on my little reference card too.

Can't get away from it - us oldsters (including old machines) are fabulous! We nearly always do the job right!!!!