Some problems I have run into besides some already mentioned include having a different thread in the bobbin (although sometimes it doesn't matter) and missing a spot when threading or somehow getting a twist. Some threads the machine just doesn't like.

We use a machine on a frame (not long arm). We found out we have less problems overall by oiling after each quilt.

I personally believe in the Tension Fairy. LOL When she's there everything works and looks "right". If the Tension Fairy isn't around, I'm not a happy camper.

(I'm really going to read and process all of the ideas provided here being mechanically challenged!) :mrgreen:

well let me tell u what i did. I have the Janome 6600, and my stippling or free motion quilting looked bad on back so a lady at the quilt shop told me to buy an extra bobbin holder and do adjusting on that but not on the one that came with machine & set at the factory. so I took her advice, i loosened the bobbin tension and tightened the upper tension and wa la, now my stippling looks great. she also told me to put some red finger nail polish on the extra one to keep from getting them mixed up. now i can stipple all my own quilts as I just can't afford to pay a professional between $100 & $200 for each quilt. so i've been just pleased as punch to learn all this - now can't wait to do the next quilt. here's one i stippled that looks ok on top but bad on back.

Forgot about the problem my friend was having with her Bernina. She worked and worked on getting her tension correct. She took it to the Bernina shop without a bobbin. They used one of their and the machine stitched correctly. Carried the machine home, put in a bobbin and the problem reappeared. Back to the shop showing them the ugly mess on the back side of the sample. This time she took her loaded bobbin along.

Conclusion: It was her thread and it was a very good cotton thread but it just would not perform in her machine. I use this same thread and have no problems with my Janome.

Suz

I also had a similar problem. A quilting advisor told me to buy an extra bobbin when working on quilts using thread with heavier weights. The nail polish trick is great! Good luck!

curious how much your extra bobbin cases cost?

i tried that approach, but my local janome dealer discouraged it ($40?). he 'fixed' my machine and it works beautifully now.

Did you watch the rerun of Simply Quilts yesterday? Alex had on a lady who spoke about adjusting the bobbin screw. Her riddle to remember which way to turn the screw: "righty - tighty; lefty - loosely". She only turned the screw 5 minutes.

Her information is on HGTV for June 24 if you want to check it out. She was doing bobbin embroidery. I wasn't much interested until she started talking about bobbins.

Suzanne