Do you use monofilament thread?
 

I've tried several times to use monofilament as the top thread on my Bernina 435 for FMQ (so my stitches won't show) but I guess this machine doesn't like it. It makes a nest of a mess on the bottom side of the quilt. I've tried to change the needle to a bigger eye. I've tried tightening and loosening the top tension but none of these things work. Do you have any thoughts that might help me? My old Singer didn't care what thread I used. So frustrating!

I can use it on my Brother machine for regular stitching. I've not tried to FMQ with it. I generally have to loose the top tension.

I use a very small needle 70/10 or 65/8 with monofilament. I also use a cone thread holder and put the holder as far from You will need to play with the tension a bit , generally looser. I have never had much success with using it in the bobbin and top at the same time when free motion quilting.

A wise older quilter told me once to only use it in the top and regular thread in the bobbin. So far, the little I have used it, I have had good luck.

I have used it both top and bobbin in my Bernina 1230 with no problems. Is it nylon monofilament? Or polyester monofilament? I know that with nylon monofilament there are some things that help a lot. The same probably holds true of polyester monofilament.

(1) Nylon monofilament stretches easily, which means I need to reduce the top tension from a 5 to a 3. Basically, cut your top tension in half.

(2) If the thread is on a cone, I use a thread net on it, place the cone in a jar behind my machine, and feed it straight up into an outrigger thread guide before it ever goes to the first guide on my machine. You can use a thread stand instead of a jar and the outrigger. I really like the Superior Threads new acrylic thread stand for this purpose. In other words, this thread often needs a pre-guide in order to feed correctly into the top thread guides. At least with a cone, you absolutely need a thread net. If you are using a spool instead of a cone, I'm not sure but a thread net cut to size probably wouldn't hurt and might help. This thread is slippery and has a tendency to fall down the cone and get caught before it feeds. You really need to make sure the thread has an unimpeded path to the needle, because any "glitch" in the feed (and the thread goes in and out of the needle multiple times for a single stitch) will cause thread nests underneath.

(3) If winding a bobbin with this stuff, do it slowly in order not to stretch the thread as it is going on the bobbin.

(4) If using a plastic bobbin, wind only half full. If using a metal bobbin, wind 3/4ths full. Never overfill the bobbin with this thread. Because of its tendency to stretch, winding fast and/or winding a bobbin too full can distort the bobbin's shape, causing numerous unexplainable problems when trying to sew.

I haven't used it. However I have used Wonderfil's Invisafil Thread for stitching in the ditch. It's 100 wt polyester thread and hardly shows.

I have a Bernina and use it on top only, never in the bobbin. Never had problems. Winding on the bobbin can stretch it.

I absolutely HATE monofilament thread and refuse to use it.

I use Superior Thread Monopoly. I use it in the needle only. I loosen the top tension to 2 or 3 and use a thread net on the spool. I don't care to Nylon monofiliment thread because of the sheen of the thread and I constantly get breakage.

When ever I use it, I use it only on the top. I have a Bernina 1530. I do adjust the top tension and I also use the lubricant called Sewers Aid that I buy at JAF. I also use this for when I sew with metallic thread. If I am FMQ background, I prefer to use cotton thread instead. I feel it is much better for the quilt to use cotton thread but use the mono-filament only when necessary.

I use Aurifil monofilament thread on almost every quilt I do FMQ on. I have a Bernina Artista 200 and have never had any trouble. I use cotton Aurifil in the bobbin in a color that matches my backing. When I get better at FMQ, I may give up my monofilament thread; but, for now, it works great for me. I think Aurifil's monofilament is made from nylon.

I won't use it any more. I read on this board a long time ago that if it leaves a loop that a baby's toe or finger can get caught in it and cause problems. I have grandchildren so I will not take the chance.

Have you ever used Bottom Line? It is great! Blends into the fabric nicely. I always use it in the bobbin when machine quilting and often as the top thread if I don't want it to "show" as much. Wonderful thread!

I am using it on the top only..... with a buttonhole stitch to hold down applique.... I have moved my tension all over the place and still the bobbin thread show through... any more suggestions????

Have you tightened your bobbin tension and lowered your top tension? You may need to do both. What is your top tension setting at right now? Have you tried putting it down as far as it will go?

I don't like the feel of monofilament thread so I don't use it.

the only tension setting I have is on top and set at 1..... I have a Bernina activa 230.

You can still adjust the bobbin tension. Your bobbin case has a hole in the finger. If you thread your bobbin thread through that finger before placing the case in the machine, that will tighten the bobbin tension slightly. If that is not enough, you can use a tiny screwdriver to tighten the screw on the bobbin case spring. Here is a link to a Threads tutorial on how to adjust that screw, but there are others on the net:
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...nsion/page/all

It's a good idea to do the adjustment while the bobbin case is inside a baggie. I have loosened the screw so much it fell out! This screw is tiny and hard to find if not inside a baggie. It is generally recommended to tighten or loosen this screw in just quarter-turn increments, as it does not take much to change the tension. It's still a good idea to Google "how to adjust bobbin tension in a sewing machine" and read several tutorials before doing this yourself. Some people are so afraid they will not be able to get the bobbin tension back to where it was when they started, they buy an extra bobbin case. One is used for regular sewing and never gets its tension changed; the other is for experimentation with different threads. A dot of fingernail polish on the extra case lets you tell them apart easily.

One more thing about your monofilament. What brand are you using? And how are you feeding it to your machine? Nowadays when I use monofilament for machine applique, I use my Superior Thread stand (along with a thread net) to provide very nice, even thread flow without resistance to my machine. Here's a link to the thread stand I love:
http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...thread-holder/

However, from your description of the issue, it seems much more likely that your bobbin thread needs more tension on it.

thanks ladies.....