When you free motion quilt, do you pull the bobbin thread to the top so that both threads are on top of the quilt? And then drop the feed dogs? Thanks for the help.

Yes! Otherwise, you get those bird nests on the bottom side of the quilt. I learned that the hard way. :oops:

I do pull the bobbin thread up to the quilt top when starting to FMQ. Do I do it before I lower the feed dogs? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. After both threads are on the quilt top,I grasp the two threads and hold them away from the needle as I start to sew so I don't get them tangled up. Some people like to sew several small stitches in place and then trim the threads before FMQ. I like to leave my thread ends and knot and bury them later for a better anchor.

I pull up the bobbin thread but I never drop my feed dogs, ever.

Thanks for the helpful tip. Never new that before. I can see the difference it makes.

I always lift the bobbin thread, but so far I find the tension easier to manage without dropping the dogs.

this may sound dumb but how do you pull up the bobbin thread while food is up or down anyway i can mot see how you do that

bobbin thread doesn't get stitched into a line of quilting.

Lower your presser foot. Lowering the presser foot engages the tension discs on your sewing machine so you can make a stitch.

While holding your needle thread, take one complete stitch ending with your thread take up lever in the highest position. (I manually turn the hand wheel through a complete stitch.) Still holding the needle thread, raise your presser foot. A small loop of bobbin thread is now looped around your needle thread.

Tug on the needle thread to bring the bobbin thread to the top. Sometimes it is necessary to use the blades of your scissor or a seam ripper or something long and thin to bring all the bobbin thread to the top of your quilt. Reinsert the needle into this hole and begin stitching.

http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...echniques.html

I had the same question so I looked around. This is what I found. I don't know if it answers the question correctly, but I am going to do more research. I had NO idea!! anyone else that can help with this?

useful site - thanks for the link.

Never knew this. Is it used on a LA too?