I am trying to machine quilt on my home machine and I have 12 weight thread. I have a top stitch needle size 12 and the top thread keeps breaking. I thought about finding a size 14 top stitch needle with no luck. I need a bigger eye due to the thickness of the thread. I have also loosen the tension to the point of my stitches not looking correct.'

Got any suggestions?

Mary

I'm not sure what you mean by 12 weight thread. I use size 40 or 50, so I don't have a comparison. What kind of thread is it?

When I machine quilt, I use a size 12 needle.

Here's a link to Sulky, they recommend at least a 14/90. Scroll down through the article to see the topic about needle size. Hope this helps.
http://www.sulky.com/faqs/faq.cfm?cat=1&sub=48

Thanks, I will try a bigger needle and the article sounded like I need to tighten the tension. I'll give anything a try.

My new machine has a quilt setting and I have the foot that holds your material 1/4 inch form the needle. What a life saver it is. I use the machine quilting thread and a walking foot and away I go. :D
I hate messing with tension, it takes me forever to get it where it is ok. I wouldn't want little children around while I'm doing it. It tries my patience. :twisted: Good luck

Curious....what machine do you have?

I don't know who you were asking, but mine is a Pfaff Tiptronic 2030.

Mary

Mine is a Viking Saphire.

Mary, I like to use the 12wt thread also and it does take a bit to get everything adjusted correctly, one of the main things is that I have to sew much slower than I normally would and I use pretty long stitch, to me it just looks better with that heavy thread.

I'm with you! I hate messing with tension. It's probably one of the top things I dread doing. I've learned to make practice pieces before quilting and I always write down what the numbers were so I can reproduce it next time.

OH MY!!! That is simply an adorable puppy!!!! He looks so soft and snuggly.
~Tiffany