Free Motion Quilting tension on new machine
 

I recently bought a second machine (Juki HZL-DX5). My primary machine has been an Elna 740 excellence, which has been a great machine. I have been trying to FMQ on the Juki. Feels a bit different than my Elna, but I'd like to have it as a back up for FMQing should I need it. However, I can't seem to get the tension right.

I am using a new needle (Schmetz quilting needle 75/11), Aurifil thread 50 wt in the top and bobbin, feed dogs down, Free Motion Quilting setting on the machine. If I go with auto tension, my stitches on top look nice and defined, but the stitches on the back somewhat seem to melt together. If I adjust to 1.5 on the top tension, the stitches on the back look better (more defined), but the stitches on the front don't look as nice.

Does this mean I might need to tweak the bobbin tension? What else should I be looking at? Hopefully my pictures show up correctly!

when I'm FMQ on my domestic I usually use a #14 topstitch needle for best results. But I'm not familiar with the Juki.

No expert by any stretch, but I get much nicer stitches using a Superior titanium topstitch needle with auto tension on my Janome.

I also use a 90/14 needle (topstitch or Microtex normally) with Aurafil 50 on my Juki 2200. Occasionally, I've used an 80/12 but never as small as a 75/11.

I usually piece with an 80/12, and I usually quilt with the same (my Elna doesn't seem to be picky). I grabbed 75/11 by accident. I did try the 80/12 needle last night, same result. Just decided I'd go with a new quilting needle for tonight's test.

I've never used a 14 for anything. Though it's in my basket to buy along with some Superior threads (since it's the needle recommended by Superior for the threads I'm looking at). Would that make the stitches look different (such as improve the definition of the stitches on the back on Auto tension?)

If your needle size is smaller than the recommended size for the thread that will affect your stitching. I have an HZl different model can’t think offhand, but I followed Leah Days way and don’t drop my feed dogs.

I have had the Juki DX7 for a few years now and haven't had to adjust the bobbin thread. Try very small increments in the top tension. I use Aurafil 50 in both top and bobbin but I use Topstitich 14 or Microtex 14 needle. What foot are you using? I use the open toe free motion presser foot but I bought that as an option. Good luck!

Ok, so a size 14 needle came with the machine (different label on the Organ envelope than I have seen). Compared it to my other needles, seemed same size (I had wondered if Juki accidentally put the wrong needle in my machine). Auto tension, left the feed dogs up and definitely better!! I'm very relieved, I have been playing around with this each day as I was determined to make it work! :D I knew I'd find the answer here, and I am glad it seems to have been the needle. :p

I actually don't drop the feed dogs on my Elna; however, the feed dogs seem to be up slightly more on the Juki (and sharper on those front teeth) so I wondered about running my fabric over it. I do use a slider (teflon oven liner has worked fine for me). However, my feed dogs are partially exposed on my Elna - never noticed a problem with the back of my quilt. But wondering about the Juki as the teeth seem up more. I have accidentally sewn my slider to my quilt, so I do tape the edges. And this is why my hole in my slider is cut bigger than just the needle hole (so easy to sew it to the back of the quilt). I never thought about the exposed feed dogs on my Elna though, I'll admit.

Notmorecraft - do you use a slider of some sort? If so, are the feed dogs covered (as would be with a Supreme Slider) - or exposed in any way?

Sailorwoman - I am using the floating foot that came with my machine (it is not open toe, but I do plan to buy that one).

I guess I have been spoiled that my Elna has been okay with whatever is in the machine (and generally that has been a Universal 80/12). OR - perhaps I just didn't realize that my quilting could be improved by changing the needle I was using. Will be trying the size 14 on my Elna to see if I notice anything different!

Dawn, interesting discussion. I have an Elna and have had trouble with the tension while FMQ. I fiddle with it and still can't get the bottom tension right. I do find leaving the feed dogs up helps, but I'm going to try the smaller needle to see if it works better. Will cut my slider to accommodate the feed dogs, too. Do you have any other suggestions?

I have had good luck using Jamie Wallen's method of adjusting the bobbin tension first before adjusting the top tension. It does not matter which thread or needle I use.

Mkotch - my Elna has been super easy for FMQing, perhaps I just got lucky with my machine, each machine seems to have a personality of its own!

Because of that, it never occured to me that a needle would make the difference on my Juki. And actually, I think I was NOT supposed to expose the feed dogs by cutting a bigger hole in my slider. I just happened to do that and it has worked out fine (no damage to the back of my quilts because the feed dogs still move up and down I think). I don't know if that has had impact on my stitches. Also, same with me on the feed dogs, I found leaving them up improved my stitch.

Based on what I am now learning, I would definitely play with different needle sizes (and types). Maybe even play with different threads.

I've always been leery of messing with the bobbin (because all I heard prior was - don't touch that bobbin tension!). But - I have since read enough to see that many do get better results when they do that (after experimenting with different needles, threads, top tensions - everything else). Also, I have read where some purchase an extra bobbin case and they keep one with factory settings and the other might be set for FMQ (or they adjust the 2nd one freely depending on what they are sewing). If adjusting the 2nd case for multiple other functions, then mark with a dot of nail polish where it needs to be for FMQ, where it should go for perhaps sewing with some special type of fabric).

Since the larger needle improved my stitch on the Juki, I am of course going to try it on my Elna (because I am wondering if it will have any positive affect there, even though I am not unhappy with my stitch - you never know!) I'll be interested to hear what effect changing your needle size has. I have used a quilting needle on my Elna, but never a topstitch. Primarily the universal needle due to laziness (because it seemed to work fine). Also, I use a non-hopping foot (came with my machine). I don't know if that has any effect.

quilttiger - I am going to look up this method, thank you! Since I have learned it won't blow up my machine if I adjust the bobbin tension, I would like to see how others go about it.

Something I just thought of . . . I have a Juki 2200 QVP Mini and in the book there are specific settings for FMQ. I have to set the stitch length to 0 and there's a change in the pressure on the presser foot (I can't remember the specifics now). I do know that if I don't use those specific settings, I have problems.

There is a setting to switch over to FMQing on my machine. When choosing that setting, the free motion quilting foot will show up on the screen, and the stitch length automatically goes to 0.

On my last trial, I did not lower the feed dogs or change to that setting, I just adjusted the stitch length to 0. But will probably experiment more still, and compare between dropping the feed dogs or leaving up, with different variations of choosing that particular setting (versus straight stitch setting and lowering the stitch length to 0).

All in all I have been quite pleased with my machine! :o