ok ............. I tryed everything that every one suggested..... and I'm still stuck. I turned the machine off and on, I re-threaded the machine top and bottom and I even took a bobbin in put it up top thinking that it was the thread up top and still no luck.

The top thread is being pulled through to the bottom. And I'm using the thread on a cone, it is standing behine my machine.

The thread is cotton thread.

And the thing is that I did a quilt about 4 or 5 months ago and I didnt have this problem. I've also tried using the foot contol and not using the foot control...... I'm stumpped.

Thanks for your help everyone :)

Turn you upper tension to 0 and turn it up 1/2 until the stitches are sewing like they are suppose to. I have to set my tension to 1 to get good stitches. If you have a bobbin winder that has a knob or lever to push to wind the bobbin be sure it is disengaged all the way. Even a fraction engaged will cause havoc with stitches. Also be double sure you are threading through the tension properly. Check your manual pictures even though you know it by heart. A few days ago my FMQ was going super for a few hours and then the thread started breaking. Never did figure that out. I just changed to another machine to finish up. I don't spend time fussing with a problem I go to my back up machine and let the problem work itself out. Usually by the time I get back to the problem machine it works fine again.

Regarding your thread, is it the same on the bottom as on top?
If you turn your tension knob to "O", there will be no tension on the top thread. I suggest going the other direction to perhaps 8 or 9 and then back off one number at a time.
Already suggested, but are you putting your presser foot down? It has to be down in order to engage the upper tension.
S

I have the same tension problem on my long arm. I'm not quilting much because it is so frustrating. I have turned the top tension knob so much, who knows where it is actually suppose to be. I've also turned the bobbin tension, which I hate to do. I think I'll never get it to where it's suppose to be. Wish there were pictures somewhere that tell us how to adjust for each problem. Like eye lashes on the back, adjust the top tension... which way.... If you have heavier fabric, like flannel, how do you adjust the tension. You would want less tension, right because your fabric sandwich is thicker???

If the top thread is going to the bottom, try adjusting the tension on your bobbin.

Use a different thread and also redo your bobbin. That had once worked for me. Also change the needle. Don,t give up.

Thank you all very much....... I'm so frustrated with it now that I just turned all the machine. :( I'm going to try again tomorrow...... my head hurts :P

I'll let you all know how it turns out :)

You have to be frustrated! I'm glad you're stopping for the night, good plan. Have you used this particular thread before? Like Rosalyne posted just above, how about changing your thread and needle. Put your tension back to what you use normally, and try again.

I also have a Designer I and turning the machine off doesn't reset ALL the settings. Start over, from the beginning.

I get those every time I try to go too fast around a curve. Frustrating, aren't they?