Originally Posted by scrapsoftime
Also, with meander/stipple quilting, any suggestions on "tension" settings? I had this problem the first time I did it and ended up taking machine into shop where they suggested I adjust my tension but also use a different bobbin. Of course now it's been awhile and can't remember which bobbin they suggested. I have several places on back of my quilt (current one) where I need to rip out and fix stitching. It's too loose on back (fine on front). I tightened the tension and that seemed to resolve prob. Also there are times when I get a knotted mess on the back - what's that from? Sorry, as you can tell, I know just enough to be dangerous!! lol!! :) Thanks for any insight!!
Leigh
I'm fairly new a FMQ but here's what I've discovered so far. I was also getting loose thread on the back (I've heard it referred to as eyelashes) so I took a sample sandwich (muslin front and back and batting in the middle) and just practiced at different tensions until I got a tension that seemed right. I still get an eyelash or two but not as pronounced and I think it may be caused by my making a turn to quickly. Secondly, is the knotted mess on the back is when you start quilting? If it is, if you pull the bobbin thread up to the top before you start quilting that usually resolves that problem. You can then bury the threads in the sandwich later to hide the tails. I found if I tie a loose square knot with the two threads and either put both thread tails in a needle (or better yet use a self threading needle) then put the needle into the batting close to the knot and come out about 1/2" away and tug on the tails the knot will pop into the batting and hide. Hope this helps. Just keep at it. It gets easier the more you practice.