having trouble with getting my tension adjusted on the batik quilt that I am half done with... keep breaking needles...what size should I use..? what am I doing wrong...?

sorry don't know but welome from Michigan

on't know either, but welcome from In.

welcome!

Are you talking about a longarm machine? If so, you might need to go to a slightly bigger needle. I used a 16 or 18 on my longarm when I quilted mine. What kind of thread are you using?

Hi from Western Australia. I've never heard of a needle breaking because of a tension problem - usually its the thread that breaks. The only time I've broken a needle is when it hit the presser foot because it wasn't set up correctly. Lower the needle slowly using the wheel on the side of your machine to see if this is happening.

Welcome from central Alabama. I would use a size 18 needle, and loosen the quilt in the frame.

Hello from South Carolina

Hello, and welcome from Idaho!

I am using 100% cotton coats & clark art v31-K8 470 T-39--just ordinary thread...quilted almost half of the quilt til I started having this problem...now one needle breaks after another...have tried adjusting bobbin tension..that didn't work..adjusted everything I could think of..and it won't get back to normal...Will try a bigger sized needle...have to buy some later this week... thanks for all your suggestions...! Bette Jo in Yreka, Ca..

Hello ..from Idaho...thanks for responding..Any suggestions?

Thanks for responding from South Carolina..any suggestions?

Ok...thanks from Central Alabama...I will do that this week ans see if it would help...I did hear once that Batiks are tough to sew on and this is my first try at it...thanks so much I will let you know!

Ok..will check to see if the needle is in correctly...possibly I could have put in a new one wrong...or changed the angle of the circle under it...I know it can be adjusted..thanks so much..

I do think a bigger needle will help...I will have to get some this week...thanks so much!

Thanks for reading...this is my first time here...lots of help in such a short time..only 4 hours and several replys..

Thanks for reading...this is my first time here...lots of help in such a short time..only 4 hours and several replys..

Thanks for reading...this is my first time here...lots of help in such a short time..only 4 hours and several replys..

I have had lots of trouble with my machine. Like others, I will be half way through a quilt and all at once I get the "bird's nests" on the back side. I have switched needles, switched thread, loosened and tightened my material and both tensions. Once it happened after I refilled the bobbin. I fill my bobbins with a Side Winder and am wondering if it winds the thread too loosely. I'm so exasperated! I would just love to turn out a nice looking quilt on my Voyager 17. GrandmaAlice

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

This has happened to me too. And now I have a check list to look for.
1.Check cone holder and thread guide (aligned right)
2.Machine threaded right.
3. Bobbin threaded right.
4. I have a Towa (checks bobbin tension)--Love This! Amazing the differance with pre wound and when I wined a bobbin.
5.Is the frame to high/low against the moving sewing machine(this often is my problem).

For me. It is usually one of the issues listed above. I have a voyager too.

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

Welcome from Michigan.:)

Welcome from sunny Deltona,Florida, lots of good people to help and give great ideas.
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

check to make sure the needle is in correctly and all the way up as far as it goes before you tighten the screw. my machine won't allow me to put the needle in backwards but some do. Also slowly use the hand wheel to lower the needle to see if it might be hitting on something when it comes down. The tension would have to be mighty tight to break the needle. Most likly that it is hitting something by either not being all the way up in the shaft or when it comes down it's there is a problem with the needle plate. Also try a different needle; maybe it's slightly bent.

Welcome to the board, from western Nevada!

welcome from se TX

Thanks so much for the hints. Sometimes we get in a hurry and forget to check these things. Will do all these and hopefully, have better luck!!

Welcome!

Hello from Western Mountain Maryland !! :-D

Hi Bettejo and welcome from NE Ohio.

G'day from Australia

Hi from Arizona.

Welcome from Ireland

Hi and welcome from Michigan. I can't help you but I hope the other anwers do.

Hi and welcome from New York.

Thank you ...I will use this check list..as I get frustrated trying to figure out where to start...that is a very practical way to go about troubleshooting the problem. Thanks so much!

Thanks for all the very helpful replys.. I can feel with Grandma wanting to just turn out one good quilt on the voyager17...I am determine to get it figured out...all your pointers are very helpful and practical to take into account. Will do them all and will report back..next week.

Oh...Ireland...I absolutely love Catherdral window quilts..thanks for welcoming me here!

thanks , I know it will point me in a good direction to start my trouble shooting.