Free Motion Question
 

I am quilting using free motion on my DSM. No matter what I do, the stitches on the top of the quilt are not well defined. They sort of run into one another and don't look like stitches. The back of the quilt stitches look great! I have changed to a better quality thread (same thread in bobbin and on top), increased the tension, lowered the tension, changed needles, worked faster, slower, etc, etc. Any more hints out there? Thanks.

I'm not sure what you mean by top stitches not well defined, and running into each other. Can you show us a picture?

I've had something similar happen. Have you oiled your machine? Change your needle. To me, it sounds like your upper tension. I will be quilting for a while and everything was working well, to have my stitches start getting funky. The top thread will look like it is lying on top and not penitrating into the fabric. It drives me crazy, but oiling the machine, changing the needle, rethread your machine and working on a scrap quilt sandwich to get the tension back to acceptable levels, usually get me there. When you adjust your tension is your presser foot down? I had never heard of such, but my sewing machine repair guy (this was a mechanical sewing machine vs. computer sewing machine)said that the tension 'takes' when the presser foot is down. Otherwise you are spinning the dial. Finally if all fails take your machine in to your dealer or sewing machine repair guy and have a tune up.

Try really good cleaning, including the thread tensioner. It sounds to me as though that might be the problem.

Sounds like your top thread tension is too tight. See if loosening it helps.