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-   -   I'm about to kill my machine! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/im-about-kill-my-machine-t155815.html)

BellaBoo 09-25-2011 06:44 PM

I read somewhere that leaving the feed dogs up while FMQ will eventually cause problems with your machine. I'll see if I can find where I read it.

shnnn 09-25-2011 06:48 PM

Try flipping the spool over in case it's catching on the notch

Mitch's mom 09-25-2011 07:00 PM

What did you use to spray baste your quilt? Make a new sample quilt sandwich using exactly what you are trying to quilt now. Don't spray baste it, pin it or hand baste it a bit. See if your thread breaks.

SMR 09-25-2011 07:31 PM

Try a different spool of thread. I've had recently purchased thread that breaks over and over and then use a spool from mom's old collection that sews perfect. Agree about changing needle also.

agdetrick 09-25-2011 07:33 PM

is the top thread and bobbin thread the same? that took me a long time to learn...called manufacturer of my sewing machine after being on hold on the telephone line and he said try the same thread on top as you have on the bobbin.

tellabella 09-25-2011 07:38 PM

It hasn't been mentioned but you could try loosening the tension on the bobbin...just EVER so slightly......it could be tight and snapping your top thread...at this point it is worth a try...

GwynR 09-25-2011 08:07 PM


Originally Posted by DogHouseMom
There are several possibilities.

1) How old is your thread?
2) What is your thread weight and what kind is it (ie cotton or poly, and who is manufacturer). Ditto the first two questions for the bobbin thread.
3) What size needle are you using?
4) When was the last time you replaced your needle (in aprox hours of machine usage)?
5) Have you COMPLETELY re-threaded your machine? Remember, don't ever pull the thread out backwards through the tension discs to un-thread when the presser foot is down!! Always lift the presser foot first - or even better - snip the thread from the spool then pull the thread out from the needle through the machine.
6) What kind of batting are you using?
7) What kind of machine are you using (make and model)?

Other than these things the other two possibilities off the top of my head are top tension and hand speed vs machine speed. But always start with the above questions first. If you answer those for us, we might have a better idea what could be wrong and make suggestions.

great list, to this I would add, do a quick cleaning!

QuiltnLady1 09-25-2011 08:18 PM

I use either a topstitch or a denim needle -- depending on the thread a 12 or 14 usually works well. I have used the c&c poly and found some colors are fine and some shred, but that has also happened with other brands as well (sulky comes to mind). As has been mentioned, if you have a spool that has a notch, try turning it over (or putting a cap on it) so the thread does not get caught in the notch.

Also, is your spool verticle or horizontal -- different types of spools are made to pull off differently so make sure you are pulling it off they way it wants to go.

Here are some other things that I have had happen -- I found going slower helped with these:
-- the thread jumped out of the tension disks
-- the thread jumped out of the take up lever

Annaquilts 09-25-2011 08:22 PM

Hmmm maybe it is the spray basting. Maybe it was too thick. I think I had that with one quilt. You can still spray baste but lightly. I agree with others rethread. Is the thread strong enough? Is the bobbin thread the same or slightly thinner? You can also try and free motion with the feed dogs up. Are you using a top stitch needle with a large eye and a little bump on it to open up the fabric like a Schmetz 90/14 topstitch needle? Do you have the machine set to quilting mode, if that is an option? Often you need to loosen the tension a couple of settings.

Annaquilts 09-25-2011 08:25 PM


Originally Posted by QuiltnLady1
Also, is your spool verticle or horizontal -- different types of spools are made to pull off differently so make sure you are pulling it off they way it wants to go.

You might want to put your spool in a large heavy beer stein or vase and put it a little ways a way for your machine or use a thread holder. Some machines have this side ways holder but you are much better off putting it in a thread holder so it does not come off side ways.


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