Help! Satin stitching messing up. OR Do I kill the penguin or the machine?
 

Why is my satin stitching skipping? I've ripped the bobbin area apart and cleaned it to within an inch of it's life. I've brushed out everything on the top thread path. I've changed thread. I've changed needles. Twice. It's the top thread that keeps breaking. I lightened the tension on the top thread. Both threads seam to pull evenly.
This little penguin is so cute! I just want to finish him and be proud of the stitching!
The first pic is the back, the second is the front. The third is the penguin who may get chucked in the garbage if I can't get this to work.

The only thing I can think is to try a larger size needle. Cute penguin

New needle, rethread machine, use a stabelizer that can be taken out, don't pull from behind the machine................all mistakes most of us do.
When was the last time you cleaned your machine? Does it sew a straight seam without skipping?


Penguin is Not at fault........gotta be the machine........

Penguin is Not at fault........gotta be the machine........[/QUOTE]


...or the operator!

Is it felt or flannel? It looks like it isn't feeding smoothly. Make sure everything is squeaky clean (especially the feed dogs). Maybe lighten the pressure on the presser foot some. Is it something you could use a piece of stabilizer on the back? Either a piece of very thin paper or some embroidery tear away stabilizer can make challenging fabrics feed better.

Cute penguin!

Pam

The type of needle you are using can make a big difference. For that I'd try a topstitch needle.

I switched to embroidery thread and it's going much better. This is 3 layers of fleece, so I'm not using any stabilizer. I'm using a ball point needle. And I'm using my walking foot to feed all those layers through evenly. I've made this type of quilt a LOT in the last few years - I've never had this much trouble before! Guess it's time to take the old girl in for a real service.

I don't think the walking foot is supposed to be used with zig zag type stitching.

My Pfaff instructions do not recommend the walking foot with zigzag stitches.

The only type of stabilizer I would use with that is wash away. My walking foot would get in the way and break the needle.

Three layers of fleece is quite thick. Are you using a walking foot to help feed the applique thru the machine smoothly??

Walking foot is essentially a zigzag foot with feed dogs. If it wasn't meant for zigzag then it would be a single hole foot. Now not all machines have the same feeding power, some brands are just sturdier than others. No matter what the brand, you should service your machine every three years unless you are sewing everyday

I have a Bernina Activa and I am able to zig zag with my walking foot with no problem. Can also satin stitch or embroidery stitch. You have to test first because the design may look different since it is spaced differently by the walking foot but still makes a nice design and excellent for thick types of appliqué. I always use a Superior threads
top stitch needle on something like this I would use a 90/14. I don't think ball point needle is the correct type for this. I only use ball point on knits. Hope this helps you.

Make sure that your bobbin is wound correctly; I have had this problem and when I wound a new bobbin (slowly) the problem was fixed

I agree with the others, it needs a stabilizer. Let us know how it worked out.

Personally, I find satin stitching a pain, I've switched to blanket stitch and love it. Do you have that option on your machine

I would use a different foot; what about an open-toed foot so you can see where you are going and how it is quilting the edge. You might also stitch down the edge of the penguin all the way around so that it won't get scrunched up and skip stitches. Just a thought. Post when you figure it out--many of us might try the penguin too.

You might check the area underneath the bobbin case. I took some dental floss and was shocked at the amount of lint collected there. Also, a wash away stabilizer can be used on top of the fabric to help keep the stitches from sinking in and maybe make stitching a little smoother. (Like you would use to stitch on towels.)

use some paper on the back side of what your sewing

What a cute little penguin. Please don't kick him to the curb.

I think you may need to use a tear away stabilizer. Like when you embroider on a towel. I'm sure it will change everything.