Help with free motion
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Canyon Lake, Ca.
Posts: 188
Help with free motion
Frustration big time. I have an Elna 7100 but is the same as the Janome 1600. Trying to free motion quilt and my thread breaks every few minutes. Last night I was able to go about 30 minutes but today about 3 minutes. I have changed needle, use good thread and reset the tensions. Any help would be appreciated.
CaroleLee
CaroleLee
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
I am not familiar with your machine. If it’s a big quilt, make sure it is puddled around the machine so there is no drag. Are you wearing Machinger gloves or similar to help move the sandwich? I like a medium speed so I can drive the movement of the sandwich better. You might be getting the needle close enough to the plate to clip the thread if you are pulling/pushing the needle off center.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 989
Have you checked the height of the foot above the quilt surface?
You want it as low as possible without dragging on the fabric so that it keeps the thread from pulling the needle off center.
Also, what size needle are you using? A 90/14 topstitch is usually minimum. With FMQ you are stressing the needle by tugging on the thread laterally and a thinner needle will deflect more, possibly nicking the thread and thus causing it to shred.
You want it as low as possible without dragging on the fabric so that it keeps the thread from pulling the needle off center.
Also, what size needle are you using? A 90/14 topstitch is usually minimum. With FMQ you are stressing the needle by tugging on the thread laterally and a thinner needle will deflect more, possibly nicking the thread and thus causing it to shred.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,327
Try moving the thread up and away from the machine. Also some machines like the feed dogs up and stitch length set to zero. Also concur to keep the entire quilt supported, don’t pull on it and don’t go too fast. But I had a machine that kept breaking thread and while all of the hints helped some the problem was a broken hook. I ended up trading it for the same model machine and have no issues regardless of thread.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,726
Frustration big time. I have an Elna 7100 but is the same as the Janome 1600. Trying to free motion quilt and my thread breaks every few minutes. Last night I was able to go about 30 minutes but today about 3 minutes. I have changed needle, use good thread and reset the tensions. Any help would be appreciated.
CaroleLee
CaroleLee
1. Check your needle hole plate. Mine was a single hole with a tiny nick at the edge of the hole that the needle brought the thread up and down. A repair person at a sewing machine store smoothed it away with a tiny bit of steel wool...which he said I could do myself.
2. Check your Hook/ if your machine has one. (mine is a Bernina) The hook had a tiny bur on the tip of the metal point that brings the bobbin thread up to the needle. Our guild had a program all about sewing machine repair and that is how I learned about this fix. Take a fine grit sandpaper or nail file and lightly smooth off the rough place. I could feel the bur with my finger.
Both times my problem was resolved. I hope you find a solution to yours.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,725
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tennessee, UC area
Posts: 1,584
I've had the 7100 for several years. Some days I love it..some days I want to stomp it, lol! I have those same problems and I keep practicing w/ diff thread until the problem goes away. One thing I have done ( besides loosening tension) is to wrap the thread on the 'thingy' only once...almost on day one! I find more success with king tut poly thread and sz 14 needle. Hope you figure it out. It's a lot of fun when it's working right.