Good for you for keeping at it! Give yourself credit for that, and for being as observant as to what is happening when! That helps you identify the problem now, and learn from it.

A couple of thoughts that may help you. You are using a ball point needle. They are traditionally used for jerseys, knits, fleece and the like, not for cottons, nor quilting. Switching to the Top Stitch needles when you get them, might be what you need!

Here's a link that may give you some info about which needles and when ....
ITS82-OCT20LR.pdf (euronotions.com)
FYI, there are a lot more types of needles than are noted in this online booklet.

Your Ball Point needle is probably coping, until it gets to the bulk of the seams. The sharpness from the Top Stitch needles (or other sharp needles) should make a difference at the seams and throughout your FMQing. It will be able to punch down through the bulk, grab the thread and come back up much easier than with the Ball Point needle.

Top Stitch needles are one of my go-to's for quilting. Also, Embroidery and Microtex. Surprisingly, I seldom use a Quilting needle for FMQ, but more so for for straight quilting or piecing. I keep my notes, from one project to the other, to help me know where to start, and minimize problems ............ and help it be less frustrating when something goes awry, as it inevitably will!

Good Luck!

If I do machine quilting I press my seams open for less bulk. It makes a difference.

So, I went back to a 90/14 quilting needle, which is the first needle I was using when I started this nightmare, and it's working better. BUT I'm not currently encountering the bulky seams that seem to create so many problems. If it starts choking and thread starts breaking again, I will try an 80/12. Maybe the smaller needle will pierce the seam more easily and grab less. I think you are right about the thread/needle combo. With so many variables, it's really hard to double shoot. I always stitch on a practice block first but it's just a muslin sandwich, not pieced with bulky seams, so it's not always a good indicator of how all will work on the actual quilt. The good news now is that, if it works sometimes, it's probably not my FMQ itself. Not that it's great, but the struggle is probably teaching me more than I realize at the present time. Thank you for your help!

I'm ready to give up quilting and take up boondoggle. I have tried smaller needles, quilting needles and purchased topstitch needles. It seemed the 80/12 did better with a 50 weight thread. When I switched back to a 40 weight (Great Barrier Reef variegated YLI machine quilting thread) the thread started to shred at the needle again. I went up to a 90/14 and I'm still having trouble. I lowered the top tension and now the tension is too loose and it looks crappy on the underside. I'm at a loss. Bulky seams definitely present a problem but even when I'm not stitching over the bulkiest (which I will ALWAYS PRESS OPEN FROM NOW ON) the thread is shredding if the tension is good for meeting in the middle of the sandwich. I have never had so many problems! Is it the glue baste? I did a lot of FMQ (script, drawings, flowers) on a baby quilt and didn't have a single one of these problems. No more suggestions, I'll take prayers. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/redface.png Thank you.

Gosh I’m sorry you are having issues. I glue baste all the time and once it’s dry never had an issue. I would suggest getting your machine checked out.

Thanks for your reply. The issues I’m having seem to be inconsistent so I can never really find a solution. I pieced the whiole thing without a problem and quilted with a walking foot without a problem. I had the machine serviced last summer. It’s the Brother 1500S so it’s completely mechanical. Oh woe is me. 🙄

I’m going to try running the machine slower. Not that I go crazy fast!

I've never done glue basting, but you could be on to something when you know you were doing just fine before glue basting entered your life! You know you CAN do the FMQing, so don't beat yourself up.

Make a sample to try FMQing without the glue baste and see what happens. Ideally, make it as identical as you can to your quilt, i.e. same fabrics, batting, similar block structure to get similar seams etc. It doesn't have to be huge. Rather than making it for the scrap bin, I like to make things that are usable. Eg. small table topper, runner, place mat, vase mat, etc. These give me a chance to get my system setup the way I like, as I get my own body in the flow of FMQing and try out the stitching pattern(s) I want to use.

Still stuck trouble shooting
 

Thanks you. I will try that in the future bc I have no blocks left. I used precuts and they are all in the quilt. I do have some of the backing glued to bedding left over from trimming it down after gluing the sandwich together but I folded it over and itself so it’s a double thickness. I used the previously posted link to a Leah Day video. She spoke about Her dad trying to quilt circles and having problems. Her conclusion is that machines are sometimes being cranky about sewing in all directions and suggests turning the quilt slightly. I’m trying to quilt flowers which are very circular in nature and I do believe that’s part of the problem. I switched over to my Bernett b79 machine and the problem was even worse than on my brother 1500. It seems that in order to finish this quilt, I’m going to have to rethread after each flower. It’s exasperating!

That is very true. Some machines don’t like to go in certain directions. Also are you using washable school glue? Honestly I have used that in upwards of 20 quilts and use the PQ 1500 and that isn’t a problem for me.

[QUOTE=Mitch;8458966]Thanks you. I will try that in the future bc I have no blocks left. I used precuts and they are all in the quilt. I do have some of the backing glued to backing left over from trimming it down after gluing the sandwich together but I folded it over and itself so it’s a double thickness. I used the previously posted link to a Leah Day video. She spoke about Her dad trying to quilt circles and having problems. Her conclusion is that machines are sometimes being cranky about sewing in all directions and suggests turning the quilt slightly. I’m trying to quilt flowers which are very circular in nature and I do believe that’s part of the problem. I switched over to my Bernett b79 machine and the problem was even worse than on my brother 1500. It seems that in order to finish this quilt, I’m going to have to rethread after each flower. It’s exasperating!
I'm trying to upload a 2.7mb jpeg photo and I cannot. I've tried many times to upload on this platform and get the same error message that the upload failed.

Good morning! I used June Tailor spray baste. I’ve used it for my last few quilts without any issues. This quilt is more ambitious than anything I’ve ever done because it’s the biggest I’ve FMQed, the seams are bulky, and the quilting is pretty extensive. I’m quilting a picture of a house, cats in the windows, clouds, flowers, pebbles, script,writing, and the Bernie meme. I would attach a photo but I’m having trouble doing that on this platform. The only time it finally worked was with my icon attached to my name. ::heavy sigh::

okay. I used spray baste once and for me didn’t like it but remember even with a big quilt you are only quilting the part under the needle anyway. If what you are doing is dense as long as your quilt is supported properly and sounds like it is that shouldn't be your issue. I’m going with the spray baste in combination with the seams and dense quilting! And could you try a scrap sandwich with no spray baste or seams? In all directions?

I know it says that the max limit is 5MB, but that is wrong. It needs to be less than 2MB

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I just read that you were using a ballpoint needle......you should never use a ballpoint with quilt cotton. Knit fabric, yes.
Never mess with your machine tension when free motion quilting until you first straight stitch on a sample sandwich. If your straight stitch is good, your tension is where it should be.
Check your thread path for any "hang ups"
90/14 topstitch needle is good (sometimes a microtex needle works well)
50 wt. Thread
Test a sandwich, including your glue baste. Try your straight stitch and then your circles?
Is your quilt moving freely under your needle for FMQ.?
Are your feed dogs down?
Before starting you FMQ, hold on to your top Thread and bring your bobbin Thread to the top..
lower your foot and go for it.....you will do great.
I hope your machine works without problems.
Best wishes, keep up the good work.

Totally confused here, as earlier (in post #44) you asked if it was the glue baste. From others comments, I think we all thought you were meaning glue baste as in Elmer's glue. I have used a lot of spray baste, mostly 505. I didn't like the June Tailor for all the globs and blobs. Not the even spray of 505. I don't remember it being an issue when FMQing though, but it could have been what I was quilting at the time too. Too long ago now to remember.

You mentioned about the thread shredding, and the circular type motions you are doing. It could be you need to get the needle speed and your hand/quilt movement better in sync. Consider this ... for normal straight line stitching, the normal flow of the thread is down through the needle and then think of the normal progression/direction of the stitches along the fabric. Then when we FMQ, we are changing that pattern. Too much going against the normal path through the needle, can cause the shredding. That's where it's particularly important to get the needle speed and hand/quilt movement in sync.

Another thing ... you might want to clean your needle ... sometimes residue from the glue builds up on it. I keep some alcohol swabs in my sewing supplies for that. From what you have said, I don't think that alone will resolve your problem, but it will help the needle slide in and out much easier, preventing resistance.

Is this clear as mud?

You are a lifesaver! I attached an image. Hopefully, it will be visible in the. thread.

Dear QuiltE and Lady Diana, I know about ballpoints being for knits but someone with more experience suggested it and I tried it. I have switched to Schmetz topstitch, as per suggested and tried 80/12 and 90/14 for the 40 weight thread. If anybody wants me to try standing on my head and spitting nickels I will absolutely give it a go because nothing is working and I have a lot to learn. I do warm up and test on a muslin sandwich before I stitch on the quilt and I don't have the problems I have on the quilt. BUT, it's not pieced or spray-basted. I will place an order for the 505 for my next quilt, (IF THERE IS ONE!!! Hah! Joke!). I do think I need to move more slowly for the circular shapes. Mind you, I have FMQed the exact same shapes on a spray- basted baby quilt with no problems. On the current project, I straight-stitched with a walking foot with no problems other than wobbly lines over the bulky seams and I do clean the needle periodically. Other checkpoints are a go: the bobbin thread up, feed dogs down. I can't thank you enough for your feedback! I'm learning so much and I'm amazed by your generosity! Here I go- fingers crossed.

I think I can, I think I can. So, stitching at the speed of a glacier, ok exaggeration, a snail, has solved the problem of thread breakage and skipped stitches. The tension is not perfect all the time and the stitches are inconsistent in length BUT I WILL FINISH THIS QUILT!!! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/thumbup.pnghttps://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png
Thanks everybody! I will continue to refer back to this valuable thread. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/heart.gif