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-   -   Free motion problems. Will this solve my problem? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/free-motion-problems-will-solve-my-problem-t193106.html)

Julie in NM 06-29-2012 07:14 AM

Free motion problems. Will this solve my problem?
 
Nancy Notions has these little washer thingees. My bottom stitches sometimes are loose or eyelashes. Top looks just fine! I try and move my fab slower and have my needle speed faster but oh crap. Issues. Just spen over an hour picking out stitches. Has anyone tried these? Are they worth it? Do I have to adjust tension? Scared to do that.

http://search.nancysnotions.com/?q=b...rs&sp_cs=UTF-8

leatheflea 06-29-2012 07:28 AM

Those are Bobbin Genies and they do help, but you can also adjust your top tension to help with this problem. Every machine is different so try turning the tension up and down till you get it right. I'd use a practice piece while testing the tension. We all move our hands at different speeds and our machines sew at different speeds and some fabrics pull differently. So your best bet before spending money is adjustments. I personally have never needed the Bobbin Genie.

Toni C 06-29-2012 07:29 AM

I have tried them but saw no difference. Make a little mark so you know where you were and adjust the tension. Does it happen all the time or only in loops or moving away from you...

nativetexan 06-29-2012 07:32 AM

you didn't say, but do you bring the bobbin thread up and hold it with the top thread and take a few stitches in place first? very important.

Tweety2911 06-29-2012 07:43 AM

I started using the Bobbin Genie's and love them. They helped alot with the looping. Once you bring up your bottom thread make sure to take some stitches to lock them in place. Test your tension before doing FMQ on a straight stitch first. Practice, practice, practice. Going to fast around curves can cause eyelashing. Hope this helps.

QuiltE 06-29-2012 08:07 AM

If by chance you have a Janome ......... you can buy a "blue dot bobbin holder" to switch with your regular one when FMQing.

Prism99 06-29-2012 08:24 AM

You can purchase a second bobbin case for your machine, mark it with a red fingernail polish dot, and then fiddle with the bobbin tension to your heart's desire. All it requires is a tiny sewing machine screw driver to turn the screw that tightens or loosens the tension on the bobbin case.

ncsewer 06-29-2012 08:26 AM

Although you didn't ask, I recently read something explaining that the right needle makes a difference. You have to have strong enough needle to poke the correct size hole. I never knew this and tucked back into my brain to check on it the next time I FMQ

QuiltE 06-29-2012 08:50 AM


Originally Posted by ncsewer (Post 5326079)
Although you didn't ask, I recently read something explaining that the right needle makes a difference. You have to have strong enough needle to poke the correct size hole. I never knew this and tucked back into my brain to check on it the next time I FMQ

The needles I buy are labelled as "Quilting" needles ... you can buy different sizes, but the Q label, says it's for the actually quilting process. My understanding is that they are a little sharper, to punch thru all the layers and seams.

Of course, they can be used for piecing too!

patski 06-29-2012 08:51 AM

I also tried them and they didn't help, I agree that you have to test the tension sometimes over and over till its' just right. Plus I ALWAYS clean out the bobbin are of dust

katydidkg 06-29-2012 08:52 AM

I just went to a class for my Bernina 730. The lady said that when free motion quilting, if you get eyelashes or loose top thread showing on the bottom, change your throat plate to one that has just a small round hole instead of a 5.5 mm rectangle for a hole. The throat plate with a small hole is also the plate that quilters like for piecing blocks.

crafty pat 06-29-2012 08:59 AM

I messed up the bobbin case that came with one of my machines trying to FMQ, had to take it in and ended up having to buy a new one. My repair man told me to buy two and keep one just for FMQ and I have had no more problems.

QuiltE 06-29-2012 09:05 AM


Originally Posted by katydidkg (Post 5326142)
I just went to a class for my Bernina 730. The lady said that when free motion quilting, if you get eyelashes or loose top thread showing on the bottom, change your throat plate to one that has just a small round hole instead of a 5.5 mm rectangle for a hole. The throat plate with a small hole is also the plate that quilters like for piecing blocks.

And then be sure to change back to the rectangle hole if doing zig-zag, fancy stitches etc. ..... to allow for the needle movement.

CoyoteQuilts 06-29-2012 10:32 AM

Julie, your problem with the lashes is your top thread, so bobbin washers won't help. I have a feeling that you are forgetting to put your pressure foot in the down position.The top thread is not being held tight when the take up lever lifts up and leaves a long loop on the bottom. It is very easy to forget to put the pressure foot down while FMQ, 'cause you are the feed dogs, not the machine.

It is always the simple things that we forget that gives us the most problems.

General rule of thumb, top thread problems is the bobbin and bottom thread problems is the top.

BellaBoo 06-29-2012 11:00 AM

A lot of people that use the Bobbin Genies use them wrong. The bobbin case spring (usually flat metal) has to come out of the bobbin case. It's easy to take out and put back in. I took a class not from a machine quilter ( Machine quilters show you how to machine quilt and what works for them) but from several thread, needle and machine experts. Always start with the tension at 0 and move up 1/2 until the stitch is perfect. Always use a topstitch needle and match to the thread wt and ply. Always keep a journal of what needle size/brand you use with size thread/brand, and what type of batting and what tension settings you use. The journal has saved me many hours of frustration. It takes a lot of trying out needles and thread to get a perfect match, don't waste that perfect combo, write it down.

misskira 06-29-2012 11:07 AM

I have to turn my thread tension way up when fmqing... Usually it's around 8. I was really surprised but it made the world of difference and I get very few eyelashes now.

King's Daughter 06-29-2012 11:26 AM


Originally Posted by misskira (Post 5326383)
I have to turn my thread tension way up when fmqing... Usually it's around 8. I was really surprised but it made the world of difference and I get very few eyelashes now.

I had to do the same thing, all the way up 9, and it got rid of the eyelashes.

JustAbitCrazy 06-30-2012 01:53 AM

Another simple thing which often causes eyelashes is having the quilt sandwich too tight. You should be able to grab your finger around the quilt sandwich if you push it up into the quilt from underneath. Hope that makes sense. When you are machine quilting, you are making a machine which was only designed to work in a straight line (while motionless) work in all directions, while in motion. This makes the needle have to flex, and it can only flex so much. Most of the "give" has to come from the quilt, not the needle. If there's not enough "give", the result is eyelashes, especially on tight curves, or if you are sewing fast.

Need to edit: Sorry---I didn't realize this was in reference to fmq, so of course you can't "grab" your finger, as I suggested (That's a test to use when the quilt is on a frame).

romanojg 06-30-2012 06:20 AM

Leah Days site has the washers but she also has tips on how to get good stitches so she might be able to help.


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