Handiquilter Simply Sixteen (on frame) sewing issues
Hi everyone! I just got my first long arm quilter, the HQ Simply Sixteen! I used it successfully for the first month, but yesterday ran into some issues that I'm having some trouble resolving. As I begin to sew, the top thread picks up the bottom thread each time (leading me to believe my timing is OK) but then the sewing does not go very smoothly. At first it was not sewing at all, but then I adjusted my top and bottom tension and was able to get some stitches, but each time the top thread started shredding and breaking after about 2 inches of sewing. I know for sure that the bottom tension is properly set, but could be mistaken with the settings on my top thread. I've continued to make adjustments, but the thread continues to break and shred and there have also been instances where the mechanism gets jammed into the bottom and I have to use the hand wheel to release it. I live in Brooklyn and haven't been able to find anyone who has experience working with these machines so any help would be greatly appreciated!
I'm using 110/18 needles with 69 210D poly bonded thread. My "quilt" surface has some fabric + thickness variation, but from everything I've read about this machine that shouldn't keep it from stitching.
Thank you in advance!