aussie croydon

I was wondering if anybody can advise me on the threads you use for stippling. I was advised by my local quilt shop to use Mettler quilt thread on the top and bobbin fill in the bobbin. I am using white in both top and bottom. I am finding it is not stippling evenly and missing stitches. It is also knotting every now and again at the back. I just got my pfaff sewing machine last week after it has been serviced. I have always known that I should have the same weight top and bottom and I did question this at the time but they said it would be fine.
Would appreciate any advise
Cheers Jackie

Maride

Mettler is a great thread. I love it when I find it on sale, since it tends to be a little expensive. I find that it doesn't make any difference in my stippling if I use the same or different weight on the top and bobbin. I did when I had my older machine, but not now with my better one.

A lot have been said recently about free motion quilting. Some great recommendations out there, but I find that the bottom line is on your machine. Some machines, no matter how much you adjust, practice, and change, will never be able to be used for FMQ. I have a friend that come to my house to use my machine becauase hers will not FMQ (threads break and knots) if she FMQ with flannel on the back. It is OK with cotton. That little estra weight on the fabric makes a huge difference for her.

For years I struggled with an older Kenmore and was about to give up machine quilting, because no matter what I did, it didn't look good. A friend gave me an old Singer that worked great for FMQ. It made me feel better to see that the problem was not just me, but also the machine. I later got an older Bernina that was excellent and with the right machine I was able to practice with confidence and make my stitches look better each time. I am now using an upscale Bernina (given to me, long story), and no matter what I do, my stitches are always beautiful. I am not saying that is all on the machine, but a lot had to do with it.

The thread is very important too, I find that I like to use a higher number weight for the bobbin, because I can fill the bobbin more and when the stitches are looking good, you don't want to stop to change a bobbin. At that moment you want to go on as long as possible without stopping.

Your thread may be breaking due to the tension, the speed, or the threading or your machine. The skipped stitches may be due to the needle. Change the needle and make sure you use a new one. Somehow the needle can not get to the bottom of the quilt to catch the bottom thread.

I hope this helps.

Maria

allisonirons

I don't usually have any trouble regardless of thread type so I'm no help! sorry!

Ms Grace

I've been using the cotton thread from Connecting Threads in the bobbin & also on the top. Never had problems yet. :-)

amandasgramma

I think each machine must be touchy in its own way. My Pfaff uses ANY and all threads...Cheap Coats and Clark works fine. My Janome doesn't seem to like it though!

sewnsewer2

I use mettler (or Isacord, same thing) and bobbin thread too. Make sure you are using a quilting needle and your top thread is seated well. I never have any problems. I also stitch at full speed, it gives me a more even stitch.

joeyoz

You may need yo adjust your tension.

Prism99

Try reducing the upper tension. It may be that the Mettler is under too much stress. Also, it may require a larger needle eye. Is it being fed horizontally rather than vertically? Some machines want that horizontal feed for European-wound threads.

I have been able to use different threads top and bottom with my Bernina.

I prefer using a lighter weight thread for stippling, as the finer threads don't make the quilt sandwich as stiff. With Mettler, I prefer using the 60/2 weight (regular is 50/3).

You could try using Mettler both top and bottom, and also try using the bobbin fill both top and bottom.

littlehud

Same here. Connecting Threads threads have always worked great for me too.

rdem

Hi Jackie :D First fiddle with your tension, that maybe all it needs. I tried the bobbin fill in bottom and other in top BUT, I found that my old husky only likes the same thread in top and bobbin. I use gutterman or mettler thread as i haven't had a disaster that i could blame on the thread. PS: I got your PM. I tried to reply, was I successful, if not I need help learning to use it :!: :!: :!: Hope this info helps