Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   Free motion is more like limited motion! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/free-motion-more-like-limited-motion-t237545.html)

cminor 12-27-2013 05:14 PM

Free motion is more like limited motion!
 
After weeks of trying different thread-different bobbins - different tension. Bobbin washers...and rethreading and rethreading today I spent most of my day (shhhh don't tell) at work looking at Leah Day's blog. I read that sometimes machines just don't like things. I think this is what is happening to me - but I really want to think I can fix it. I love my machine. I know it would not be sassy for no reason!

When free motion quilting I can move the fabric front to back with no problem. If I go back to front (the opposite of a normal piecing motion) the thread frays with in 4-6 inches of quilting. I tried it over and over same thing.

Is that even possible? Or am I maybe doing something different? Feed dogs are down. Stitch length is as low as it goes at .8. Should I cover the dogs?

cminor 12-27-2013 05:28 PM

Feed dogs are covered with tape...I was hopeful...but not lucky...same problem.

hopetoquilt 12-27-2013 05:38 PM

how about different sized or brand needles? the needles create a lot of friction against the thread and sometimes the size of the needle makes a difference.

cminor 12-27-2013 05:40 PM

I tried that. Was using an 80/12 and went to a 90/14 and it is a topstitch needle......good suggestion though!

lfstamper 12-27-2013 05:49 PM

What about the glider sheet and videos on u tube? Both have helped me.

Tartan 12-27-2013 05:50 PM

​Do you have the zig zag hole plate on the machine or the single hole? If it is the single hole, I am thinking the needle is getting to close to the plate and fraying?

cminor 12-27-2013 05:59 PM

Not the needle hitting the plate - checked that :)

No glider because it sits on top of a desk - not level. But I do have an extension table so I have plenty of room. I am working on little 8x8 squares...just to practice.

deedum 12-27-2013 06:34 PM


Originally Posted by cminor (Post 6477301)
After weeks of trying different thread-different bobbins - different tension. Bobbin washers...and rethreading and rethreading today I spent most of my day (shhhh don't tell) at work looking at Leah Day's blog. I read that sometimes machines just don't like things. I think this is what is happening to me - but I really want to think I can fix it. I love my machine. I know it would not be sassy for no reason!

When free motion quilting I can move the fabric front to back with no problem. If I go back to front (the opposite of a normal piecing motion) the thread frays with in 4-6 inches of quilting. I tried it over and over same thing.

Is that even possible? Or am I maybe doing something different? Feed dogs are down. Stitch length is as low as it goes at .8. Should I cover the dogs?

I use size 16 needles. Try FM on felt! Get a lot of practice with that. it is helpful!

Tartan 12-27-2013 06:57 PM

Use a pair of old pantyhose and run it all around inside the bobbin and case. Do the same under and around the plate and along the thread route. If the pantyhose catch anywhere, you will know you have a rough spot. I think the repairmen have a special cloth for polishing out burrs?

retta97 12-27-2013 08:48 PM

I had same problem and I discovered that using a Topstitch needle and Sulky 100% Viscose thread works great. You can but both at JoAnn's. Good Luck.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:14 AM.