I've seen lots of posts here about matching your needle to your thread - this is a great example of why this is important. Thank you for sharing your story!

The thread ply is important as well as the wt. to know what size needle to use. A 50wt 2 ply is much thinner then a 50wt 3 ply and each needs a different needle size. It's very important to keep a notebook of what thread and needle works for each application. Most thread issues when sewing is due to lack of information about the thread itself. Superior offers detail info about what needle size to use with each of their threads. Once you have experience sewing with the right thread and needle it will be easy to know exactly what is causing your thread problems.

Thanks SOOO much for a great quilt pattern. (I know this is a thread about thread) I watch the video and learned a new way of making 1/2 sg triangles and other tips! I quess that you are never too old to learn new tricks!!!!!

Oh Jeanne! You just proved that nobody knows everything and that quilting is often an ongoing quest to learn new things! I'm so glad that your now able to use your baby and that you are once again reunited! To practice the FMQ, just make up some orphan block sandwiches and have a go at it! I will only FMQ on very small projects on my Janome such as table runners, hot pads or a QAYG. I have tried it on larger throw sizes and I just do not enjoy the struggle that I have to go through to do it. The shoulder, neck and back aches just isn't worth it to me. I am in awe of the quilters who do FMQ a full size or larger quilt on the DSM. I bow to them!

Congrats on learning what your issue with thread was all about.... Now onto using more of the fabulous threads that are available... one of my favorites is a 20 wgt, varigated!

This one is hard for me....I don't know why...I can't keep it straight....I just need to have a chart in front of me at all times.

Superior Threads has some wonderful charts that you can print offf.

Thanks for this good info, I did not know this either.

Thanks for the info. Sure helps to know.

I can't wait to start the same star quilt you want to make. I have a gazillion FQ Kansas troubles fabrics i have been collecting and civil war and i think they would look pretty using that pattern....ooooo i am itchy now i wanna drop everything and try just one block....but wait i dont have background fabric yet....darn

I knew that because my dealer told me, but I have been sewing for about 50 years and only knew for the last 10. What we have not been taught isn't in our "data banks". Please don't feel dumb. You did have the good judgement to ask about it.