Tension and Free Motion Quilting
08-31-2009, 05:57 PM
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central FL
Posts: 4,829
Some machines let you adjust both top and bottom tension. If you have the type with a separate bobbin case, there usually is a screw that lets you control the bottom tension. Be sure to mark the starting location before you change it, or you could be in for headaches trying to return it when you asre done.
08-31-2009, 06:28 PM
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,199
I found that with my free motion quilting I have to loosen my tension just a little. I have a practice piece of muslin sanwiched with batting that I can practice on until I get the tension just right and just to practice. It's always a little scary at first.
Joey
Joey
Originally Posted by cent
Hi, I'm new here....I've been into quilting for awhile, but have alway paid someone else to do the actual quilting part. I decided to dive in and try it on my own. I bought a quilting foot and have been practicing and it is SO fun and addicting! BUT, I'm so bugged 'cause I cannot get the tension right on my bobbin! I have a brother CE-5000PRW. I didn't have this problem with my normal sewing. Is there a secret to this with Free Motion quilting?
08-31-2009, 06:29 PM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,199
DITTO DITTO DITTO!
Originally Posted by justwannaquilt
Another thing to remember is if you are moving the fabric around to fast it will apear to be a tension problem. But in reality it could just be the movenment in the fabric being to fast. maybe slow down your movement, and speed up your needle and see if it "fixes" it. you could also try doing some straight lines. I know seems pointless when FMQ but this is how I learned the right speed becaue I know for myself I tend to go faster around curves and loops. try not making any "sudden" moves either it can pull the bobbin!
above all practice, change the tension just a little at a time and sew some, see if it gets better. if not change it again!
Good luck! and Welcome!
above all practice, change the tension just a little at a time and sew some, see if it gets better. if not change it again!
Good luck! and Welcome!
08-31-2009, 06:33 PM
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,199
For free motion you should use a quilting foot or darning foot. That makes a big difference.
Joey
Joey
Originally Posted by cent
Wow....Thanks for all of your replys so far:-) I did lower my "feed teeth" But I was also lowering my presser, should I not do that?
When you adjust your tension, are you ONLY adjusting the upper tension?
Ok, really, I love it here...I can already tell I'm going to learn so much:-)
When you adjust your tension, are you ONLY adjusting the upper tension?
Ok, really, I love it here...I can already tell I'm going to learn so much:-)
02-05-2011, 01:22 PM
#15
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 38
I also have a brother and they make a "free-motion open toe quilting foot" it's great and I did change my tension but later found I went back to the set tension of the factory 4.2 because problem I was having was not the tension it was me. Like the earlier blog, you have to figure out the speed and the hand movement to be matched together or you will get that bad tension look.
Brother SA187 part number
Hope this helps.
Brother SA187 part number
Hope this helps.
04-26-2014, 03:59 PM
#16
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
I have a baby lock professional quilter and it stitches straight just great. I get a lot of quilting done with no problems. Then I start doing free motion and I check the back and it doing fine, sew some more and thing are still fine and then I really get into it like maybe a couple of hours and I forget to check the back and my tension goes all loose and makes a mess and when I discover it, usually when the bobbin runs out, I have a Hugh mess to tear out. I think the bobbin may be getting warm enough to warp. I hate this machine! But, back to your problem. Practice doodling on paper what you want to sew , loops, stippling what ever, it trains the brain to do the motions and makes it much easier.
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