Wise FMQuilters help
 

I usually love FMQ and after I get a design down pact I can just quilt and quilt. Now I have been having probems. I am getting loops and nests of threads on the back of my quilting. It happened a few days ago and stopped when I put a different spool of thread in. Well I finished that spool of thread and it's happening again. This really has me baffled, because it will stitch nicely for a few minutes and then start looping. The machine seems like it's sort of pulling when it does this. Why did it happen when I changed the thread? It was a brand new spool of metler, it also seems to be causing problems when I switched to the larger spool of thread. Please help with suggestions. I tried rethreading, taking the bobbin out and brushing away all the lint. The quilt is not dragging because I tried on a smaller sample. This is really getting on my nerves. Grace

sound like it's time to re-thread both top and bottom, check and see if the spool is on correctly... these machines CARE which way the thread comes off and you will have to look at your book to see which is correct... then make absolutely sure you have the presser foot in the DOWN position.... another common problem for thread-nesting... and finally, the bobbin case must be threaded properly and balanced with the top thread... I simply sew with the same thread...it's so much easier to make sure the stitch is balanced... using the professionally threaded bobbins with the tiny thread for FMQ just doesn't like it when i try it...

I get thread nests when there is excess lint under the bobbin holder. You might need to take out the entire bobbin case and give it a good brushout.

maybe try a new bobbin? Just when i think I have it all together, i get a badly wound bobbin and it messes me up!

I try new bobbins, also try a new needle, sometimes that works.

Well thank you all for your help and suggestions. Unfortunately, I tried all of the above with no success. This happened 2 weeks ago and I thought it was just a bum spool of thread, but this is another spool of thread. Can it be something I am doing wrong with my FMqing? Keep the suggestions coming and when I figure it out I will let you all know. I usually really enjoy FMQ and never got nesting or loops before.

Try contacting Leah Day, she is on FB and also has a blog. Maybe she can help you figure out what wrong!

Good Luck.

Well all wise quilters, with the help of a very wise machine repair person, I learned the hook on my machine had a slight burr, but enough to make my stitches terrible. I don't know if I'm happy or sad. On the good note my FMQ has not gone haywire, but a new hook cost a considerable amount of money. My friend was able to file the burr out, but this part will need to be replaced sooner or later. I have an Bernina Activa 145 and one part of the bobbin hook used to made in plastic, they changed that part to metal now, but what I need is call a C hook for that machine. If anyone has one for a reasonable price in metal let me know. Grace