Irishrose2

Any tips on FMQ with batiks? I've always said they weren't any different on my machine. That was before I did a Carpenter Star center on a quilt - all batiks. Where the seams come together is stopping the stitching. The only thing I can think is stay away from the busy intersections as much as possible, but the orange peel design keeps coming back to the points. To make it harder, I painted one section of the star to lighten the color, so that part is stiff. Singer 301, 40 wt thread, size 14 Schmetz quilting needle.

I'm wrong - I did do another Carpenter Star in batiks, used the same orange peel design and didn't have any issues. The difference - an Organ size 11 needle. But lately my machine wants a larger needle to FMQ.

I got up enough nerve to start quilting a king size and and a have problem already. Ah, well, such is life.

Tartan

​Batiks can cause FMQ problems. I changed to a larger needle and that seemed to help but it was still a pain.

QuiltE

Not just a larger needle .... but what type are you using?
You need a really sharp needle.
Try Embroidery, Topstitch and/or Microtex needles.

Watson

I prefer a Microtex Sharp in an 80. These are thin, so you have to replace them more often.

Watson

Bjbaxter

I've always used a 70 needle and thin thread, no problems, oh, and always a topstitch needle.

M cubed

I always use a 90/14 Topstitch needle (titanium coated, by Superior) for my free-motion quilting. I say that because I usually use batiks and yes they are a little harder to stitch through. And when I have more than six layers of fabric in a corner, I usually use the hand wheel to plow through four or six stitches.

meanmom

Another site suggested using a Denim needle. I have used it on some quilts and it worked really well. I use mostly batiks.

QuiltnLady1

I use denim needles or topstitch needles -- I prefer the titanium. As for size -- it depends on the thread you use.