Help with applique - thread problems
 

Hello all!

So my Brother Dreamweaver is in the shop again - yes, for the long weekend :-(

I'm looking for some guidance, suggestions, advice, anything to help me figure out what is wrong ... is it me? the thread? the machine?

When I am doing free motion applique on two layers of fabric, I have no issues ... three layers of applique (with the main fabric on the bottom), no issues at all.

As soon as I put batting and backing on it, my threads shred, tangle or skip stitches

Here's what I've tried:

normal needles don't work
embroidery needles don't work
topstitch needles don't work
schmetz gold needles don't work
spray basting or not - thread still shreds, snaps, tangles or skips stitches

different types of thread - doesn't matter - I've used polyester, cotton and rayon ... they all shred, tangle or skip stitches

I'm not a novice at FMQ anymore, and I'm wracking my brains trying to figure out what the problem is.

My machine is almost 2 years old, and it works like a dream with everything else. I can do embroidery designs through two layers of fabric and the batting and it's fine. It's as soon as I try and do FMQ and applique.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me in on the big secret!

Thanks so much,

Happy Canada Day eh!!

And here's a pic of my puppy, just to make people smile, because seriously, who doesn't love a berner LOL He's chewing on his bone! Such a funny goofy puppy!

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Since it's in the shop, I would make a quilt sandwich and take it to the shop, and tell them to quilt the sandwich and figure out what the problem/s are. I'm assuming they know what you've tried and what the machine does during certain processes.

Have you tried changing the presser foot height?

you didn't say, but are you using any fusible with your applique? Maybe it's the fusible that is causing the problem. I know when I long arm work with multiple layers of applique, the addition of fusible really gums things up and thread shreds more easily.

I'm so sorry. That's so frustrating. You didn't say what size needle you were using. I've found that some machines require a 90/14 to successfully FMQ while I can use an 80/12 on some.

I have done it at the shop, and she has seen the problem. But she doesn’t really have much of a solution.

No I haven’t tried a bigger needle like that thank you I will definitely try that.

And yes I am using the Fusible and I’m wondering if that’s what is the problem.

I have raised and lowered the presser foot or if that doesn’t help

But many other people have done it successfully, because I’ve seen it on YouTube videos ha ha Ha and I am trying to figure out why I can’t do it

Thanks all, keep the suggestions coming please so I can try and figure this out.

You talk about all different kinds of needles, but you don't say what size you're using, and with what thread.

I've solved skipped stitches by going up a needle size.

I've solved shredding thread by using an appropriate needle and needle size for the thread and thread size I'm using. Topstitch needles are good because the eyes are larger and they have a deep groove down the length of the needle, which protects the thread from friction as it moves in and out of the fabric.

The fusible may well be the problem. Maybe you could test this by making a sample sandwich of the same fabrics, without the fusible, and see if you get any skipping.

You mention raising and lowering the presser foot. If you're referring to Dunster's comment about the presser foot height, she's talking about the adjustment that can increase or decrease the amount of pressure the presser foot puts on the fabric. Your owner's manual should have more information about this.

I always use a jeans needle (is that size 14?) for most things, unless the fabric is very fine, and don't have any of your issues. Also the fusible and sometimes the batting can cause problems.

Marion,

Puppy giggles!

Try a Topstitch 90/14 or a Microtex. My LQS likes the microtex. Another LQS says Topstitch 90/14.

Have the dealer check the needle holder. Make sure the needle is tight up to the top. Pushed all the way and screw tightened. The screw can loosen after stitching.

Have the dealer check inside the machine. You can have a burr inside where the thread goes around the tension. They just file it down smooth.

When you change thread always pull out thread from the needle area and not backwards from the thread spool. If the thread is shredded up inside, I carefully use tweezers or one of those dental tools to grab it and remove.

What brand of thread are you using when this happens?

What bobbins are you using? Have them check the bobbin hook as it comes around. It can get damaged or nicked with a needle break.

What fusible are you using? There were some issues with some of the fusible products a few years ago. I like SAS lite, Heat and Bond lite, Misty Fuse and Soft Fuse.

Check the machine preferences for the height of the pressure foot. It should be on the default setting. There may also be a setting for "fabric thickness" on the preference page.

You should not have these issues with your machine. My projects vary in thickness. Sometimes there is two layers of batting plus the other fabrics.

Hey Marion, I was having problems with thread shredding on my Sweet Sixteen while using sulky sticky fabrisolvy. I finally realized that my needle was getting gummed up and that was causing the shredding. It may be that your fusible is causing some buildup on the needle that then creates friction on the thread which leads to fraying. In my case the solution is to carefully watch my needle for signs of buildup and remove them- I use my fingernail or one of those alcohol prep pads and do it while the needle is still in the machine and threaded.

If that’s what is causing your shredding issue you will see it on your needle.
There are anti-glue needles for domestic machines that can help prevent the problem.

Rob

Here is the list of needles I have tried:

Schmetz gold 90/14 - these were recommended by someone online on a video who was appliquing 3-4 layers at a time
Schmetz 80 Topstitch
Schmetz 75 Quilting
Schmetz Super 100/16 (these are supposed to be non-stick needles specifically for applique)

Threads:

Gutterman cotton
gutterman polyester
thread art cotton
brother rayon
brother cotton
brother polyester

Fusible:
heat and bond - light or medium (tried both)

Bobbins are only from Brother - and they are brand new

Presser foot - tried light / heavy and default position

I will mention to the dealer to check inside the machine for those issues - thank you!

I never pull the thread out the bad way LOL - I learned that in my first "instructional class" with my husqvarna!

I will wait and see what she says when I get it back this week ...

Thanks all

This may sound silly but I have seen it more than once... Is your needle in the correct way? That is so that your thread can glide through the groove on the needle.

Sorry to hijack the post but...
There is a correct way to pull the thread out? ��
I had no idea and sounds like I am doing it the bad way.... what is the correct way?
What would the result be of doing it wrong?

RJ,

On our Brother/BL machines the local dealer insists that we pull from the needle down like you are threading the machine. Pulling backwards from the top can cause issues in tension discs if I remember the lecture correctly. LOL.

A friend did pull threads backwards and created a burr inside the machine. I don't know if this is for all machine brands or not. I do my best to pull thread through to the needle area. Hope that helps!

Ok you posted your thread brands and needle sizes, but you need to make sure your thread size is compatible with your needle size. For instance, if you're using a 40 wt thread, which is fairly thick, with a size 8 or 10 needle, you will most likely get shredding and breakage because that needle is way too small for that thread.

I think these links will be very informative for you.
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...e-right-needle

https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...read-shredding

Not silly because let's face it, we've all done things like that! But, no it's in right!

Thanks for this, but alas, no, it's not the thread weight either.

I'm using a light thread in a top stitch needle.

What is most annoying is that it is only when I am doing FMQ on applique. So it has to be because of the fusible web, but I don't understand why. I can do "normal" applique - 3-4 layers, with the applique stitch and it's perfectly fine - regardless of thread or needle.

I got the machine back yesterday, and there's nothing "wrong" with it - she says there's no reason that she can see why it would do that. She's just as frustrated as I am, because I've done it in front of her.

I'm going to see if I can find someone that can come to my house and watch what I am doing and see it happen right there.

For all I know it's me that is doing something wrong - the way I FMQ?

MarionQuilts ... but in her declaration that there is nothing wrong, is she using the same set up as you and making it stitch properly? Unless/Until she does, that is not an acceptable response on her part.

So, you have done it in front of her and had problems.....
Then ...... she should be able to get you to do it "right".

As for someone coming to your home ....
.... that's the support you should be getting from your dealer in her shop.

As for you doing something wrong when FMQing ... of course, it's possible.
Though you are able to FMQ, and quite admirably so! So it's not that you do not know how.

Going with the assumption that it is the fusible web ... are you ever able to get it to stitch properly in any form with the web? If so, then see what is different when it fails. If not, eliminate the web and do some sample work to acceptable levels. Then using the same settings and options, do a sample with the fusible. Make notes as you make changes.

When I am messing around in this way, I keep a Sharpie handy, and note next to every step along the way, what settings, needle, thread, etc. Just be sure to only change one thing at a time, otherwise you don't know what created the success.

It's all a slow and tedious process and if you are like me, you feel like you are "wasting" a lot of good fabric to get to the desired end. I know you are up for the challenge .... and will figure this out.

Marion,

Still trying to trouble shoot the issues you are having with FMQ. Try a topstitch 90/14 needle.

Are you FMQ over the applique? What speed is the machine setting lever on? Try a slower speed.

Next, try the same set-up and see if straight stitching has the same problems. It might be the turning and twisting of the quilt sandwich that causes the problems.

I use machine EMB polyester thread in the top and bobbin for sewing/quilting without issues. I made a small wall hanging using heat n bond lite. There were lots of decorative stitches right over the appliques and I had none of the issues you have experienced. The decorative stitches moved back and forth similar to your FMQ.

Is the HnB product old and gummy perhaps?

What batting are you using? Perhaps a different batting will work better.