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I never had this problem with my old Singer. I'm using the #50 Walking Foot with SITD guide plate that came with my Bernina 350PE.
EDIT: The only thing that's different other than the machine is that I never quilted with 40wt thread on my Singer. I have used a red Aurifil 40wt before on this machine, but for FMQ. I've re-threaded the machine, tried changing the balance (which helped, but not enough) & have stitch length set for the recommended 2.2mm.
Last edited by Bree123; 10-11-2015 at 12:07 PM.
Is the quilt getting caught on the table or dragging a bit? That would be my first guess.
The biggest risk is the one not taken
It's not getting caught on the table. Could be dragging a bit. I try to prop it up on my chest to keep it from dragging from the back, but I don't know. Maybe it's the small Bernina harp. Perhaps it's getting caught on the side of the harp space??? So frustrating. I almost never pull out quilting stitches, but have ripped out stitching lines 4x already.
set your stitch length a bit longer. You need the longer stitch to accommodate the extra layers caused by the batting. 2.2 (if that is your normal length) is set for two single layers of fabric.
I usually set mine to 2.5 when SITD. Make a small quilt sandwich and test your stitches.
If it's ok then you know the uneven stitches are caused by dragging. Give your quilt
some support all around.
Here's another thread about the same problem.
Uneven stitches with walking foot
I have had tiny stitches with my walking foot when I forget to put the arm on the needle bar.
I agree with all the above comments. Make sure that the needle bar is hooked to the needle assemble. I usually use a 3.0 for my quilting stitches. When ever I set up my Bernina for machine quilting, I always run it thru a test sandwich first to make sure everything is set correctly.
A Good Friend, like an old quilt, is both a Treasure and a Comfort
Whenever that happened to me, it was because there was drag on the quilt. For quilting on a domestic machine, I think the "suspenders" idea is a great one for relieving all drag. Some people make their own out of PVC, but this is the commercial version: http://www.jennoop.com/suspenders.html . There are a couple of Youtube videos that demonstrate how it eliminates drag.
I notice in your photos that the stitch seems to go small as soon as you dip over the seam to what seems to me to be the "high" end of the seam, where the seam allowances are. It may be the change in layers that is triggering the problem. I agree with trying to lengthen your stitch a little.
I am also wondering if your machine has an adjustment for the distance of the presser foot from the feed dogs. Mine does not, but many machines do. There may be an issue with the presser foot being too close to the feed dogs for the number of layers you are feeding (or perhaps the opposite?).
I have had the same problem where the presser foot goes over a thicker than normal seam.
I have had this happen when there has been drag on the quilt. Sometimes "drag" doesn't feel obvious...it can just be a subtle shift in the weight of the quilt in an adjusted position. Once I started to pay more particular attention to where all my quilt was at each "re-positioning" I eliminated the problem. "Foofing" it up after repositioning and before re-commencing sewing helps to ensure light weight distribution.
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