If you have 3 or 4 inches of batting and backing on the side of the quilt, cut a strip and put it on top of the batting and use it to test your stitching. You may already know this, but it's an easy way to tell if you are having problems with the thread and to test any adjustments you make. And....DITTO to all of the above! Sorry you're having to take out the stitches....sigh...been there!