Free Motion Quilting - inconsistent & loose bobbin stitches
 

I'm having trouble controlling the consistency of my bobbin stitches when free-motion quilting. The stitches are so loose I can easily pull them out. The top stitches look great and for the most part consistent stitch length. I've practiced for hours and experimented with various speeds. Anyone have tips or advice?

Have you experimented with the tension? Sounds like you need to tighten the top tension.

Agree ... tension

When I start FMQing that's one of the checks I do ... grab each thread end separately and give a tug. If they resist, all's good. If one comes out, then I know I need to adjust the tension.

I would also try rethreading and making sure all is correct there. I have a dinky machine I do FMQ on and never have a tension issue. Usually user error!!!!

When you say bobbin stitches are loose, do you mean the bobbin thread is just laying on the fabric? If so, it's not your bobbin tension that's off, it's your top tension. Sounds to me like it needs to be higher. If it looks bad on the back, the top tension is off, if it looks bad on the front the bobbin tension is off.
Also are all the stitches bad or just on the loops. If all are bad, it's a tension issue if it's just on the loops you are going too fast around the curves.

Make up a quilt sandwich and sew on it while adjusting the top tension until you get it to look like you want it to .

Strongly agree.