FMQ Thread Shredding
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
Posts: 7,014
I do not do FMQ. I've done it badly in the borders of one quilt, but I've been practicing. I thought I was getting better.
I've decided to try it in areas on my Farm Block quilt. I go along just fine for a few inches then it quits catching the bottom thread and finally the top thread shreds and breaks.
I have changed the needle and rethreaded both the top and the bottom. Any suggestions?
I've decided to try it in areas on my Farm Block quilt. I go along just fine for a few inches then it quits catching the bottom thread and finally the top thread shreds and breaks.
I have changed the needle and rethreaded both the top and the bottom. Any suggestions?
#3
Keep going to a bigger size needle. That's the only thing that stops the shredding of thread for me. One day the darn machine may want a size 100 needle and the next it may want a size 80. It's a dozen combinations that have to be pefect in order for the FMQ to be a breeze and finding that combination is the trick. Always write down the thread used, the needle used, the batting used and the fabric brand used. They all make a difference.
#4
yes and cotton is best on top. and larger eye needle.
yesterday i was doing some zig zag stitches and happened to want white and got out an old poly on poly thread. shredded like mad! i changed the top to Essential cotton and it worked fine after. didn't have to change my needle.
yesterday i was doing some zig zag stitches and happened to want white and got out an old poly on poly thread. shredded like mad! i changed the top to Essential cotton and it worked fine after. didn't have to change my needle.
#5
Please make sure that your FMQ/darning/whatever foot just touches the top of your quilt - not so much it impedes your free movement, but just above that. This has really solved a lot of thread shredding/breakage issues for me. Also moving to a larger needle, balancing thread weights top and bottom, and proper tensions.
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