Light on top, dark on back
 

I am making a quilt for my granddaughter's graduation. I want to use whie thread to quilt on the machine, but the backing is navy with tiny bits of color throughout. I want to use navy thread on the bobbin, as I don't want so much wihte stitching on the navy backing. I've tried to adjust my tension, but I CANNOT get it so there is no white on back or navy on top. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking perhaps the white "dots" on the navy backing will be better than navy 'donts" on the top, which has a lot of white on it. I almost have to use white on the top. Thank you, as you have already helped me on this quilt by my reading posts from many of you.

I have had the same problem. I would suggest that you try verigated thread on the bottom or adjust tension so " white dots" are on backing and perhaps they will blend in with the other dots. My solution was to use a bottom thread that blended in with the top and contrasted with backing. In my case it was gold thread on black backing. Moral to this story is that maybe you should not use dark fabric for backing!! Good Luck!!!!!!!

Pokies can certainly be a problem when you have different colors of thread, but it's possible that you are actually seeing the thread from the other side through the needle holes. These holes will probably close up when the quilt is washed. I would try making a small quilt sandwich with the same fabrics, thread, and batting. Quilt it and then spray it with water, rub your fingers over the holes, and see if you can still see pokies. If not, you may have the tension adjusted sufficiently to quilt with white on top and navy on bottom.

Navy sharpie for white dots on back

LOL, bigsister! GREAT lesson. I like the varigated thread idea, too. Thanks, dunster. On the top, it really DOES look like needle holes. I even changed needles to try to change that, without success. I will try your suggestions. I am always amazed at the wide variety of experience and expertise there is on this board!

Thanks, dolphyngyrl, but that would be a lot of coloring, lol.

Thanks, Tartan, I'll lok at a med grey to see if it works better.

:) I thought I was the only one who used Sharpies for that !! I repaired a tear in a friend's quilt (a lonestar!!) that she had damaged by putting a suitcase onto the bed. The slice was about an inch long in a Forest Green diamond. After slipping the fusible web into the hole and fusing it in place, there were still white threads showing from where it tore. Sharpie to the rescue. And you'd be hardpressed to find it!

WOW! Good suggestion from both of you!

It really sounds as if your bobbin tension is too tight. Did you adjust that, or do you have one of those machines where you're "not supposed to". If so, it can and should be done, and I can tell you how to do it. Just PM me.

Quick suggestion - are u sure the threads ate the same weight? Maybe one is heavier than the other making the tension hard to adjust!

Try playing with the bobbin case. If you loosen the screw slightly, you might have success!! Good luck!

We use sharpies here too to cover up problrms with bobbin threads

Did you think of using invisible thread in the bobbin (make sure you use the right needle for invisible)? Don't know if that works for quilting or if it works in the bobbin but might be worth a try. I have never used invisible thread but I was told you have to have the right kind of needle for invisible (can't remember if it is a metallic needle or not). I'm sure someone here will know, for sure.

Can you use invisible thread in the bobbin? I was told not to but there are times when that would be a solution to this problem!

I'm a longarmer and this is just the nature of the beast.Maybe you could use "So Fine" or "Bottom Line"in the bobbin.These are bobbin threds that I have been useing for quite sometime.But dots on the back are virtually impossible to avoid.In a perfect world the threads would meet in the middle of the quilt sandwich and be perfactely[?] balanced.But no matter what the books tell you,that isn't possible.Are you using a domestic machine to quilt this,or do you have a mid arm or longarm machine?

we have a winner...it is the bobbin race tension...not the actual bobbin tension set by the dial!
but do make sure you are using the correct needle type as well!

I like my quilting to show up so I would use the white thread and let 'em see the beauty on the navy backing!

I have sharpies in a rainbow of colors for those minor "Oh no"s LOL

It is very important to have the same size thread on the top and bottom. Same brand if possible. But I avoid big contrasts in backing fabric. Learned my less with the first quilt I ever quilted.

Oh, you Sharpies people! I've used permanent marker on a favorite black blouse that had a couple of discolored spots. Fun for decorating fingernails, too.:D

Are you using the plate with the single hole and not the one for zigzag? It seems I read recently that that can help.

recently I have been using thermore batting, because I like its warmth and ease of handling. I have found that I can generally quilt with 2 entirely different colors without a problem, something I have never bet with other bats.