BREAKING NEEDLES WHILE FM
04-16-2011, 01:32 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by lalaland
Sometimes needle breakage is tied up to the bobbin tension. The bobbin requires a different tension for FMQ than it does for regular sewing, that's why a lot of people buy a separate case for the bobbin to be used only for FMQ. Especially helpful if you don't have a machine dedicated solely to FMQ.
04-16-2011, 01:44 PM
#12
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I found that when the needles were breaking while doing FM quilting is was because I was not running the machine fast enough. The faster the maching is going then the faster you can move the fabric with out needle breaks. Anyway, this has been my experience. Hope this helps!
04-16-2011, 02:57 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by Prism99
What machine do you have?
Can you tell if the needle is getting bent, and that is why the needle starts hitting the sole plate? That's the only reason I can think of for needle to break so often. Could it be that the needle is too fine? A bigger needle will not bend as easily.
Can you tell if the needle is getting bent, and that is why the needle starts hitting the sole plate? That's the only reason I can think of for needle to break so often. Could it be that the needle is too fine? A bigger needle will not bend as easily.
04-16-2011, 03:05 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by meemersmom
Since you have ruled out all the mechanical questions, I have a couple of questions for you. Have you done a lot of FM quilting before or is this one of your first attempts? Do you have the parts of the quilt not under the needle sufficiently supported to avoid drag on your needle? I encountered exactly your problem. I brought my machine and project down the our open night at the LQS, and had one of the experienced ladies watch me. It turns out I was moving the quilt too fast for the speed of the machine/needle. I spent many more hours after that just practicing to get the rhythm just right. And, I still do a little bit of "practice" before quilting a new project just to get that timing back. The more I'm doing it, the more it really is like riding a bike.
I've been using Schmetz 80 needles. They do seem to bend a lot but I don't know how to correct that since they are the same I would buy at an LQS. My LQS
04-16-2011, 03:08 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by meemersmom
Since you have ruled out all the mechanical questions, I have a couple of questions for you. Have you done a lot of FM quilting before or is this one of your first attempts? Do you have the parts of the quilt not under the needle sufficiently supported to avoid drag on your needle? I encountered exactly your problem. I brought my machine and project down the our open night at the LQS, and had one of the experienced ladies watch me. It turns out I was moving the quilt too fast for the speed of the machine/needle. I spent many more hours after that just practicing to get the rhythm just right. And, I still do a little bit of "practice" before quilting a new project just to get that timing back. The more I'm doing it, the more it really is like riding a bike.
I've been using Schmetz 80 needles. They do seem to bend a lot but I don't know how to correct that since they are the same I would buy at an LQS. My LQS now carries Schmetz needles in bulk. (100 for $50).
I'm also finishing a quilt sandwich but am just doing SID. I'm afraid to do FM again right now.
Here is a pix of the wallhanging I was working on. Thanks again for your help.
04-16-2011, 03:11 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by TonnieLoree
Originally Posted by lalaland
Sometimes needle breakage is tied up to the bobbin tension. The bobbin requires a different tension for FMQ than it does for regular sewing, that's why a lot of people buy a separate case for the bobbin to be used only for FMQ. Especially helpful if you don't have a machine dedicated solely to FMQ.
04-16-2011, 03:20 PM
#17
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Two years ago my needles kept breaking so I brought it in to be serviced. He found my needle was bent just enough that it would hit the plate. I bought new needles from him and it worked great. What I discovered when I got home was that the pkg of needles I had gotten at JoAnn's were a bad batch :cry:
04-16-2011, 03:23 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by LivelyLady
Two years ago my needles kept breaking so I brought it in to be serviced. He found my needle was bent just enough that it would hit the plate. I bought new needles from him and it worked great. What I discovered when I got home was that the pkg of needles I had gotten at JoAnn's were a bad batch :cry:
04-16-2011, 03:51 PM
#19
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Sounds to me you may be pulling the quilt sandwich a little too much. I found myself doing this once in a while and I have FMQd lots and lots of quilts. Maybe you were a little uptight. Pretty wallhanging.
04-16-2011, 04:06 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by Jingle
Sounds to me you may be pulling the quilt sandwich a little too much. I found myself doing this once in a while and I have FMQd lots and lots of quilts. Maybe you were a little uptight. Pretty wallhanging.
I just need to go try again after all of these suggestions. My only conclusion was I must be putting too much pressure on it but I guess I'll just go try again.
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