All Thumbs

Good morning quilters.............I have a Bernina820 plus a smaller Bernina. When I free motion quilt or quilt with walking foot, I am just not pleased with the look of the stitches from machine quilting. I have tried wrapped poly from A&E, maxi-lock poly, 100% cotton Coats-n-Clarks, and even some 100% cotton thread art. Everything was either so messy to sew with or just seem thin. I am using quilting needles (not sharps for piecing) and have even tried a top-stitching needle for the quilting. I have adjusted both top and bottom tensions at various numbers, all still not looking the best. Tension is fine, it is the thread that I do not like.

Now my latest try was yesterday's purchase of a Sulky 100% Viscose (made in Germany) and it turned out terrific. My only problem is that it splits and breaks thread at needle or within the uptake inside of machine. What a mess that was.

So fellow quilters, may I ask for any and all suggestions? Should I be switching to a different needle? Should I be trying a different thread. Like so many on our Board, it amazes me of the helpfulness of everyone. Thank you so much and happy stitching all.


PS: The machines work fine and have no problems (general maintenance twice a year). It is a thread appearance that I am displeased with.

MTS

And is this a new Bernina 820 (with BSR) or one of the older ones?

eta:

gramalama9

Are you using a Metallica needle? This is a necessity with specialty threads, which wear down quickly with the friction of going thro the needle eye. The Metallica is specially designed for the more fragile and beautiful threads available today, and use the largest size, 90. Also, when fmq, I use a fine thread made for bobbins....available anywhere. It's thinner and somehow makes the stitching more even.
Hope this helps.

jljack

Try a bunch of different threads. Gutterman makes some very nice, thicker thread. Also Superior makes very nice quiltin thread. I have never had a complaint that the thread looks too thin. Not sure what you mean....if you want the thread to show up more, use a higher contrast color thread. And when quilting you can go over the motif more than once to get the look you want. You can do it any way you want to make it look how you want...remember...NO QUILT POLICE!! :-) Good luck!

Dolphyngyrl

Try sulky blendables, or Gutterman cotton, I have had good luck with those, You shouldn't need to mess with tension or stitch length as those are made by the speed of the machine, and speed of you hands. Is this your first attempt because it takes practice to get good and the stitching, you can't just start off with perfect stitching as we would all like to do. Just practice practice practice

soccertxi

I usually quilt on my long arm, but have been happy using Bottom Line, SO Fine and Aurifil when I quilt on my DSM. I like a bit thicker thread on my long arm, so my go-to thread is Permacore. As you go along, you will figure out what your machine likes the best. oh..and like everyone else says..practice practice practice. I sent all my practice pieces stuffed with tiny scraps I would not use to the local animal rescue. I didn't sign them, so the dogs are none the wiser..:-D

All Thumbs

A BIG hearty thank you everyone!

Yes, MTS, I am fortunate to have the new 820s with BSR (much to the disaster of my billfold!). Right after I got it, they had to replace the BSR spring with a heavy duty spring which came from the factory. Several in our area who got the same machine had this happen to theirs too.

Thanks for the hint gramalama9; I was unaware of a Metallica needle. I will call the Bernina shop and see if they can send me some so I will not have to drive very far. In the meantime, I will insert a top-stitching needle since it has a larger and more round eye and see if that works.

As for Gutterman threads, yes I use them exclusively but only for piecing. They seem to narrow for quilting. Perhaps I am trying to compare too much as if a piece was hand quilted.

While I have been free motion quilting for a few years, I never have liked the appearance of the threads, even on my older drop-the-feed-dog method for meandering. Bottom Line, SO Fine, Aurifil and Permacore. Thanks for the suggestions. Next time I am at a shop, I will check them out.

Now are we talking 100% cotton here or are these poly threads?

Thanks again everyone.

JNCT14

Funny how the Bernina's work - I have an OLD 1280 that I love for precision work but could never get to FMQ properly.

Got my Babylok Quilter's Pro and gave up on the Bernina. Went to my mom's house who was having trouble FMQing on HER Bernina (1120?) and had no problem. Why?

Gutterman's thread was the only thing that came to mind so I switched to the Gutterman's on my Bernina. Worked fine - go figure.

Although you are right - you do have to like the look of the FMQ as opposed to doing it by hand.

soccertxi

Permacore is not cotton. At least not 100%. Aurifil is cotton. I'm not sure about the other two. I'm not home (stuck in the airport in Denver). When I get home, I will check and let you know. (gotta love WiFi!)

Kas

In the Superior line, I would not use Bottom Line or So Fine on the top. I would use King Tut or Rainbows. For the Rainbows you will be much happier with a metallic needle. You should be able to get those at Hobby Lobby, Joann, or Hancocks. I use Schmetz brand. I also like the Sulky 100% cotton 30 weight as well as Mettler 40 weight 100% cotton. With those I use a 75 or 90 quilting needle or the Microtex.