Leahquilts

Hi Barb, I keep thinking this has to be it but every time we check it is snug in there. We keep rethreading and it works great at first but eventually starts doing the loops.

Leahquilts

Thank you! We bought a new bobbin holder so it has anew spring in it and it is still doing it.

ScubaK

Is your frame square?
K

Leahquilts

The quilt is definitely square, the pins all matched after loaded. It is definitely not level though because my floor isnt level and we have to move the frame to use pantos.

greensleeves

Sometimes there is the tiniest piece of thread stuck in the bobbin case area. I've had this happen and carefully checked the area and tweezed out the bit of thread and solved the problem. Hope you can resolve this problem because I know how frustrating this can be.

Leahquilts

Thank you Jackie! I will check again.

Macybaby

I had a weird tension issue, turns out there was some thread built up behind the shuttle (the part the bobbin case goes in to). It caused the shuttle and bobbin case to protrude just a fraction more than it should, and it caused the upper thread to sometimes catch on the case instead of sliding over it, and I'd get a big loop/rats nest on the bottom. I'd change the bobbin, and it would sew fine for a few minutes and then I'd start having the problem, first I found globs of thread on the back, and it finally got worse enough that it would break the thread when it happened.

Like you, I checked and double checked the upper thread path and tension, and could find nothing wrong with the upper thread path or tension.

I was really stumped and about ready to haul the machine in (I have a 24" HQ Fusion). I was looking with a flashlight down in the bobbin area and noticed just a tiny bit of thread sticking out way back, and I started pulling with tweezers and then using dental picks and got a seriously large wad of thread out from behind the shuttle. After that was removed, it sewed fine.

Since then I've gone to using a small vacuum to clean the bobbin area - I was being very diligent with a brush every bobbin change and it still happened.

Barb in Louisiana

I really wish we had a "LIKE" button, because I would give one to Cathy aka Macybaby. I have had issues in the same area. Long arms are a constant learning experience. Thank goodness we have all the folks that share their experiences to help others. Once, it was a tiny piece of thread in the thread path. Hubby ended up opening up the top to find that one.

Edited to add: My older Nolting likes a not so tight quilting platform. When I have had the quilt sandwich loaded too tight, it gave me a similar problem with throwing a thread tantrum. Took me a while to figure that one out.

sewingpup

Just another two thoughts. Have you tried using a larger needle.....with all the tight turns maybe you are getting some needle flex which may make the alignment of the needle and bobbin thread slightly off causing a next or loop. This was happening to me when my timing was just slightly off on my sit down machine....when my needle flexed just a bit...it caused a mess...took a long time for the tech to figure out my timing needed an ever so slight adjustment....while my problem was related to my timing....needle flex could also cause this so try a slightly larger needle and as it is stiffer, it may not flex as much...I don't really know just a suggestion. Also, as you have to move your frame on an uneven floor..check and make sure that the distance between the quilt top and the backing and also between the machine and the quilt top is consistant. I think the avante has a leveler bar so it should be consistent but perhaps if one leg is sitting lower it can be off.....I used to have a midarm machine where when I advanced the quilt, the quilt sandwich would tilt as more quilt accumulated on the take-up bar.....and if I did not properly manually level the top after each time I advanced the quilt, it made a mess with loops and nests as I approached the far side of the quilt top because of the increased distance. Sure glad I got my APQS Lucey, few problems over-all the solve...

quiltingshorttimer

Leah, did you get figured out what was causing problems? I know how frustrating this can be, so know we're all there for you! on my old Gammill this problem is 9 x out of 10 because top thread is jumping out of the intermediate tension discs. When I changed the way I thread it (video on Gammill's website ) where I but the looped thread end thru the guide and around the tensioner and then over the bobbin count wheel so basically can not jump out. I had this problem with the first time I used Glide and swore it meant I couldn't use Glide---glad I figured it out. I've also found that sometimes just a complete detailed cleaning and oiling makes everything work. Keep us posted!