bobbin thread popping up on quilt top
 

I just purchased a juki 2010 and have been practicing FMQ. Trouble I am having is bobbin thread poking on quilt top. Not much, but nothing I adjust seems to help. I don't have this problem with my old Bernina and I am at a loss what to do to fix the problem. Usually I quilt with same color thread on top and bottom, but I have a quilt that needs to have a different color on bottom. Any thoughts?

You're pretty vague when you say nothing you adjust seems to fix the problem. Bobbin thread on top means your bobbin tension is too loose, or your top tension is too tight. Have you tried adjusting your bobbin tension?

Tensions were adjusted at store where I purchased machine, but I did try to adjust tensions again. It is not enough to make the stitch unsound...just a tiny speck that will show. I know from reading different blogs that some people never quilt with two different color threads for this reason, and was just wondering if anyone else used this machine and possibly there is no fix

loosen your top tension a little at a time until the tensions are equal...and if it is very small poking up stitches they may disappear when the quilt is finished/bound & laundered.

I always have to adjust the tension on my machine when I switch from piecing to FMQ. Agree with ckcowl, make a practice sandwich and slowly loosen the top tension until the stitches are even.

It is more difficult to achieve all balanced stitch when FMQing because, as you move the quilt around in different directions, tensions change in subtle ways. I have a Bernina 1230 and -- although wonderful in every other way -- I have never been able to use two different colors of thread when FMQing. With mine, the problem is intermittent in that sometimes the bobbin thread shows on top and sometimes the top thread shows on the bottom. I am convinced that some machines simply cannot achieve and maintain perfectly balanced tensions when FMQing.

If you are working on a wallhanging, I would advise adjusting so that top thread shows on the underside; that way the top should be fine. If you are working on a quilt that will be washed, be aware that in the first washing this issue usually goes away what with changes in fabric and batting. The biggest problem would be in a show quilt when you do not want to wash the finished quilt before putting it on display.

I was so happy to see this thread (no pun intended) I have a Janome and have issues with the bobbin thread in loopy FMQ. Straight or loose meander is fine but as soon as I try a loop....argh! I hate playing with the bobbin tension so will try loosening the top thread tension. Thanks!!

the way to test your machine tension is to sew a straight line on the bias/diaginal: gently pull the fabric fabric by holding the ends of the stitching line. If the tension is even then the thread will not break. if the top thread breaks then the top tension is too tight: if the bottom breaks then the bottom tension is too tight. keep adjusting the tension u til the thread does not break. All that said: I have found that it is really hard if not inpossible to get the tension balance when doing FMQ. for that reason I use matching thread on the top and bottom.

Mine also seems to happen more when I do a loop. Straight is much better. I don't like messing with tension either...I am hoping when I wash this quilt everything will just be ok:)

Dont be afraid to adjust your tension..once you figure it out it is liberating. Here is a GREAT video on tension and IT WORKS!! listen to it over and over again - I still watch it. Makes alot of sense..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mRhcquZTM

I hope this helps.

If you are using a batting that is thin like Warm and Natural, it is difficult at best to avoid the "pokies" top or bottom side. I would suggest using a poly or poly/cotton blend. Also, using a polyester thread will be easier to accomplish using different thread colors.
Also, if you are using the machine as sit down machine, you may be moving your fabric too fast. If you are using it on a frame, you may be moving the machine too fast.
If you are getting railroad tracks or eyelash effect on back of the quilt, you are going around curves too fast. Just like driving a car, you must slow down on the curves.

I am fairly new at FMQ so I do tend to move the fabric too fast at times, and I am using Warm and Natural batting. Thanks for all of the advice.

I have asked this question many times and, although I have learned a lot, I have yet to solve this is on my own machine. I too have concluded that some machines just can't FMQ.

Enjoyed the video at link (but wished there were more closeups). Thanks for that.

Some machines work better with some threads.

Microtex & topstitching needles have sharp points that pierce woven fabrics better than universal. giving better balance of top and bottom threads. Topstitching have longer eyes and deeper scarf allow the thread to move with less drag, therefore more consistant stitches.

Don't know if you are able to do this on your machine but, if you are, it is an easy way to get the tension right. Here goes. Make a sample sandwich and set the machine for a wide zigzag stitch and sew about 3 inches. Check out the quality of the stitch tension. Adjust the upper tension till you don't see the bobbin thread. If you can get it right with the zigzag stitch it will surely work for a straight stitch. If that doesn't seem to work, try one of the Magic Genie teflon washers in the bobbin case. I use one all the time, better safe than sorry.

I never use a different color in the bobbin because of this. It's almost impossible to keep the "pokies" from one side or the other.

My machine just has a straight stitch but I just googled the washers and am definitely Going to order some..thanks

I had a friend years ago and that taught me to adjust the tension on my machine, top and bottom. I'm so glad she did! I can do things successfully that I could never do before. Another thing she suggested is to buy and extra bobbin casing and mark it. I now have one that is my straight stitch/normal casing and one that I can mess with the tension on for machine embroidery, unusual fabrics or whatever. That way I always have one that is ready to go for straight stitching.