TeresaA

You may also have a problem with your thread path...make sure the thread isn't getting tangled along the way. Also, are you using a cone holder? Cross-wound thread needs to be upright on whatever holder you're using.

I've also noticed that it's a little tough figuring out which direction the Coat's spool should go. If it isn't threading smoothly when the cone is on the cone-holder (you get loops and twists), then turn the thread upside down relative to how you had it before.

I have used quite a bit of Coats quilting thread. It isn't bad at all.

The number one problem when thread shreds is needle hole size. Make it bigger.
Number two is bad thread path. The thread gets snagged along the way on something or it twists (as mentioned above).
The third is tension. Should be a bit looser.
The fourth is the quilt sandwich. It's too tight. But that typically happens on quilters.

salederer

I would use a top stitch needle and a different thread. I use connecting threads, thread. A little linty (have to clean bobbin case frequently) but it does free motion beautifully.

Chis2

How old is the thread? Thread can dry rot. I also have trouble with coats and Clark's breakage Next time it happens unravel some off the spool and look at it. A lot of times you can see bad spots in the thread. They show up as little knots or you can see shreading.

ArchaicArcane

The only clarification I would make is that cross wound thread needs to come off the top of the spool. The spool doesn't have to be upright. Most machines with a horizontal pin are already set up to properly manage cross wound thread. Those of us with a vertical pin only need to use a cone holder, or a tea cup, or depending on the size of the spool, I've been known to use the spool pin on the bed of a vintage machine if there is one and route the thread around the top spool pin.

I've been able to FMQ with almost any thread I've tried - including old old thread from bobbins found in the drawers of machines I've bought, provided it's not rotten - using a size 14 Topstitch needle. King Tut is a little thick for this, so I would go a size up there to a 16 for FMQ anyway.

Lower your presser foot pressure, lower your tension (if you usually sew at about a 4 - 5, try a 3 and see what it looks like from there), leave your dogs up but set to "0".

The other thing about lint: Most of the lint I find in the hook area is from the sandwich, not the thread. 2 ways to tell this:
1. Practice getting to know the sound of your machine by stitching FMQ without the thread (remove the bobbin too but leave the bobbin case in place ) - there will be some lint, despite the fact that there's no thread in the machine.
2. The color of the thread is different from the color of the lint. Try some turquoise cotton for instance. I bet the lint is tinted turquoise, but more muted and tending toward beige or white instead

RAChhap

This may sound crazy but did you put down your pressure foot lever? You know the one you put down when you start to sew regularly? Even if you don't have a foot on you have to have the lever down as if there were one on. From experience I can tell you that that has been the biggest problem I have had with free motioning, it just messes up everything.

MadQuilter

The ONLY thread my machine will not sew is Coats and Clark. So I can recommend trying a different thread and a larger topstitch needle. With the Pfaff, the uptake lever needs to be in a specific position and sometimes I would forget to set it right. Good luck.

bobbiesboutique

Itmay be the thread my machine did this a few nights ago I so wanted to use a certain thread but had to but a brand in that I knew would glide through no shredding.

QultingaddictUK

After reading about it in a quilting book I have changed to Top Stitch needles for all my quilting as they really make a huge difference.

sewred

Ok, thanks everyone!

Dodie

\I am not sure about your pfaff as I have 2 of them just different models on on both regular tension setting is 4.5 so I would try setting the tension a little lower and see what happens mine works fine on that tension setting with a with a size 12 or 14 top stitch needle and I do drop tension also important to have new needle as a slight burr or dull will shred thread