help sewing through bulk
 

I'm making tote bags for 'Sadie's Dream for a Cure'. The body of the bag, straps, etc. are lined with Pellon fusible fleece to give them stability. My problem is that my machine does not like all the bulk. I've inserted a 'jeans' needle, lengthened the stitch, lessened the tension, but I still get skipped stitches. I'm hoping for suggestions as to what else I can do. I have a Babyloc Quilters Choice machine. I want to help the organization. Check out the website: sadiesdreamforacure.org. Many thanks.

I too have a BL and have the same problem trying to do the MSQC petals design. It is now at the dealer...will be picking it up Thursday...hope it is "fixed".... Because in the meantime am doing the petals on my " old" Viking and it is stitching the bulk perfectly! Go figure!

Are you using your walking foot?

I think you machine is telling you something. The bulk is too much. Be careful it could get the timing off. If you can find a Singer 301 or any other vintage all metal machine it will sew through the bulk like butter. I keep one just for this purpose.

I have better luck when I use me "jean-a-majig" It props up the back of the presser foot so it's level with the front.

http://www.joann.com/dritz-jean-a-ma-jig/2719813.html

Watch Jenny Doan's tute on her petals project....I forgot her name for it....sews fab & fusible interfacing together, trims seam, flips out, fuses to and blanket stitches to 5" square, then joins the squares.....and she uses a BL.......no skipped stitches for her, but mine skipped stitches......hopefully "they" fixed it......

Make sure you are using the thinner fusible fleece. Pellon has 2 that I know of. I think the thinner is #-987? Ifyou are using the heavy fleece it's a booger to sew through all those layers.

I use my 60's mechanical Singer as I'm afraid of damaging my Viking Rose when I need to sew something heavy.

My Quattro 6000 just wasn't able to handle the bulk either so I always opened the seams with the Pellon and ironed them down, reduced the stitch length, and stitched slow over the bulky area. Hope that makes sense. Love making the bags and know how much they are appreciated. Here is a pic of some of mine. Have fun!!!
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My Bernina bulks occasionally so I am careful on the thickness that I sew on it. Those are REAL CUTE bags. Good Luck.