Yes...if the quilt is too tight on the frame, you can and will get skips. Also...if the back takeup bar is too high, you will get pokies/loopies and skipped stitches.
When you set the hopping foot:
Have the hopping foot in the DOWN position
Needle in the DOWN position
Loosen the screw.
Slide a dime under the foot
Tighten the screw & remove the dime (I come from a brain deficient family)
Raise the needle.
This is the proper way to adjust the hopping foot. For thick seams (centers of pinwheels, etc.)...a penny or quarter can be used instead of the dime.
You should barely be able to fit the very tips of your fingers (half the distance of your nails) under the take up bar...the quilt backing should just rest of the bed of the machine.
You should also be able to push up from the underside of the quilt with the fingers of one hand, and be able to grab them with your other hand, if not...loosen the quilt a couple clicks & try again.
Side clamps are not meant to stretch the backing tight...they are to hold the quilt at the level of the machine bed. I actually use adjustable curtain rods to hold the side clamps up out of the way of my machine's extension table (I made my own and it's kinda wide).
Also...I really don't think your machine is out of time...if it were...you would get holes under the long stitches..as when out of time, the needle goes into the quilt, but can't pick up the bobbin thread.
Always leave timing to the very last resort when troubleshooting the machine.
Marge
Originally Posted by
glassnquilts
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions. When I get home I will try them all. I have changed the needle. I use an 18. I have a magnetic positioned that helps me get it straight. I have adjusted the hopping foot to a dime space. Another thing suggested to me was to put a couple of drops of sewers aid on the thread. That helped with thread breaking.
I will loosen the quilt and see if that helps. I will let you know how that works.
Also I lowered the back bar. It seems very close to the machine. Is it normal to have to raise it as I roll the quilt on? There doesn't look like the would be room to roll on much.