First try at FMQ
 

Hi there I just did a Jelly roll race in some pastels and thought I would give a go on some free motion this is my first time, I have practiced on some fat quarters and all seemed to go fine , so when I tried it on this quilt top I am getting a lot of bird nests on the back, where I have to stop and cut it out and re thread,bobbin, top all of it. I have tried to change the needle, I have the same thread in the top and bottom, I have cleaned the machine (I have a singer h74) fairly new, I manage to go about a foot or so and it will mess up AGAIN! I am getting frustrated, I switched from a plastic bobbin to metal, no change. I just ordered some bobbin washers, I hope that will do the trick? Does ANYONE have any other advice I could try.? It sews like a dream while piecing. It only does this while FMQ,

Do you bring the bobbin thread up to the top of the quilt? When exactly do the bird nest happen?

What size needle are you using? I don't have issues if I use a top stitch needle (as recommended by my dealer)

I sounds to me like the problem is not with the machine or yourself - as your practice pieces were good - do you have the weight of the quilt supported. I had the same problem - practice pieces goods and when I tried on the "real deal" it was a disaster.

Make sure that you have the whole quilt supported as the weight is dragging it down and causing the problem.

Good luck with it.

Yes the bobbin thread is on the top when I start, it seems to happen after the 3 or 4 stop, I have to stop a lot to re position the quilt top and when I try to start again.

I am using a quilting needle. I even put in a new one.

You may need a larger needle (and a topstitch needle is better) -- I would say at least a size 12/80 and 14/90 would be better.

Quilting needles are actually meant for piecing.

Thank you I will try that, I did not or do not know a lot about what needles to use for what. I also order the magic genie bobbin washers in hope it will help, waiting for them to arrive.

I found that not only do I need a topstitch, but with some threads I need to go up to a 16/100.

I am using coats and Clark machine quilting thread

Do you know what weight it is? I have never used that brand so I do know. I know that if I use a 30wt (which is my favorite) I go up to a 100. If my thread is a 40wt, I use a 90. I am no expert mind you. This is just what works for me.

Try a different brand of thread and see if that makes a difference. Sometimes the C & C doesn't work like it should for FMQ.

Two things...
First, are your practice pieces the same weight as your quilt? Are you practicing with the same batting and thread? If not, it could still be a tension issue.

Otherwise, try slowing down! If I move the quilt (my hands) too quickly through a curve I get nests on the back. So I chant it like a mantra: "Slow. Slow." Seems to help me a lot.

Good luck!

PS - C&C might indeed be the problem. However, my machine loves C&C and HATES Aurifil. Experiment!

Sounds like a tension problem IMO if you've done all the usual - changed your needle, thread, re-threaded top and bottom and are keeping an even speed (particularly on turns) and the weight not dragging anywhere.

I was taught that if the problem is on the bottom it's your top tension - similarly if it's on top, it's your bottom tension. Good luck!

Make sure the presser foot is down. Seems silly, but it's not always obvious and is easy to forget about. Also make sure the bobbin tension isn't too lose. Often it just pops out of the bobbin hole but still gets fed through anyway with no tension, sewing a mess in the process. As you keep practicing, you'll be able to hear when your machine has one of these hiccups and be better able to deal with it.

Don't give up!

My best results are with an embroidery needle. I also have good luck with polyester thread. Goes against my cotton roots, but oh, well! Whatever works!

I had the same problem... Finally figured out that I wasn't supporting the quilt enough and I needed to slow down just a bit to let the machine do its thing. Be patient, keep going... Once you master this - you will be glad you did.

Is it everywhere or just on the curves? If it's just on the curves, you are going too fast! Also I agree with the posters who suggested better support of the quilt.

Ok i tried a different needle, 90/14 and my thread is a 30 weight i managed to do almost a whole row before i got a snaging mess. i can hear when it happens so it seems like the bobbin is doing a spin. my quilt top is supported and i slowed down my machine, i can see on some of the curves i have little eyelashes. i am still waiting on the bobbin washers i hope that helps.

Are your bobbins the correct size for your machine. You would be amazed by a few millimeters difference. I made the mistake of thinking all Singer Bobbins were made alike with one of my machines. Wow, the birdsnests were incredible to behold -as was the mess inside the bobbin case.

I've also found that the difference in weight of a sample piece versus the entire quilt really changes the dynamic of moving the quilt around as well as highlights tension issues.

Cheers, K

Sometimes I have had trouble with bird nests on the bottom if my top tension is too loose, I can go for a while then just like you have a nest here and there and have to re-thread...so I tightened my top tension until I could just see a tiny peep of the bobbin thread come to my top. I use a 16/100 topstitch needle, I know it seems huge but I had trouble with thread fraying and snapping on me when I used a smaller needle eye. Best of luck!

My machine does not like C&C. I switched to Aurifil and works just fine.

I, too, am new at FMQ. On my practice pieces, I have been writing on the piece all of the information: Needle size and type, thread, machine settings etc. That way I have a better idea of what works and what doesn't as I am learning. Good luck.

I just ordered some Aurifil thread, also I ma noticng that as the Bobbin is unwinding un even when i pull it out to re-thread it, it is thicker on the bottom than the top. how do i get it to wind and or unwind evenly. any suggestions?

I GOT it to work! I am one happy camper yahoo!!!!! Well it seems that my machine does not like coats and Clark 30 weight cotton thread, I switched to a 50 weight from connecting threads, and put in a bobbin washer, and I have not had any hic-ups oh and my stitch length is at .05 I had it at zero but when this is working I do not dare change any thing more, lol thank you everyone for all the help.

I read all the way through this thread and am so happy that you found the solution! Yayyyy!!

I have just had a similar problem tried everything. But then realised it was my top thread jumpingoutof the first and second places as you thread and missing the first discs at top of machine. I was just putting these back not thinking they were causing the problem. Keep going and good luck.