No, it's not that - they're definitely down - the machine's been set up for quilting for the past couple of weeks.

Yes, I'm afraid it is THAT machine again! But I don't give up easily.. I've spent so much on having it checked and serviced and then being told it's fine - and I really don't think I'm THAT incompetent! When it decides to play, as it has for the past week or so, we get along OK, and I now have a stippled quilt to prove it! But I'm going to an FMQ workshop next week, so it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

Thanks Deborah. I wonder if I'm trying to get up speed too quickly? Will try a gentler start.

yes that is very possible.....
If when you lower the feedogs they make such a noise...maybe do it a couple time to really make sure they are down...down...

Today this has only happened a couple of times. I think it may have been because I didn't start off slowly or smoothly enough. Hope so anyway, as that's easily fixed! Thanks for all the help.

start slow then increase speed. always make sure you have both thread tails in your hand when you start so the bobbin tail does not go under......

Honestly, one of the things that has really helped me is QUILT VERY SLOWLY IN THE BEGINNING! I have been told the bobbin begins spinning faster than you think in FMQ.

Make sure you start with a FULL bobbin, new needle (I use a 90), and have de-linted the machine, drop feeddogs and go slow at first. Holding the ends of the thread so they can not backfeed into that terrible esty thing is a must _ HOLD THEM TIGHTLY !!!

I surely do hope the info here on your post helps. Nothing like trying to FMQ and go wacky from it all

:roll:
JUlie

Ah - that might explain things. I'm using a bobbin washer for the first time: need to in order to get the tension right. That might increase the speed at which the bobbin spins. So starting slowly is definitely the way to go. I probably had more problems on the quilt than the practice piece because I was more tense when I was about to sew the real thing.

Thankyou all for your help!