Sorry you had problems. You won't feel good about this quilt until the problems have been corrected. Beautiful quilt though!

I am by no means an expert but that surely looks like top tension is too loose and /or bobbin tension is too tight. so sorry this happened that you didn't discover it sooner.

The mirror idea is a really good one....think I'll use it.

Thanks for all the replies, and complements on the quilt. I actually noticed a problem at one point but my friend acted like it was no big deal. Guess I should have made more noise unstead of going on, oh well. Her machine is a Gammill, which she bought used. She has had tension problems plenty of times before. Some things I thought were a bit strange...1)her repair man gave her a "special" bobbin winder because he thinks the machine winds the bobbins unevenly (just so happens 2 of the 3 bobbins she did on the "special" machine were messed up!!!) 2)on the threading path of the LA there is one tension disk that the manuel and video say to wrap around twice, but her repair man said no just wrap once! Sounds to me like she needs to get a new repair man!!! And, she seemed a bit sorry but just told me to get a crochet hook and go in and pull the threads in between the layers. That just won't work...too many. So, dd and I will have a picking party ourselves. Hopefully since some are loose, as someone mentioned, it won't be so bad. And, I am sure if I made a stink she would help but since she did not charge me and I actually did the quilting, I probably won't mention anything to her about taking it out. Well, good lesson learned...and I will keep the mirror trick in mind for future use.

I think that repairman is wrong! My new Innova I have to wrap around the tension disk twice. I would go by the manufacuterers manual before listening to a repairman that may or may not know anything about long arms which are different then regular domestic sewing machines. I know this and I am a total newbee. By the looks of your back that would definitely explain the problem. One wrap would definitely make top tension too loose. How many quilts has your friend done like this? I hope she isn't quilting for others and charging them with the backs looking like this.

I think you have to pick it out. The tension is off. I always use the same weight of thread in top and bottom of long arm also.

The top is beautiful. I am sorry the sewing machine had tension problems. I've seen some helpful tips from others so far I unfortunately have none for you.

Jenna -

I'm so sorry you have committed all these stitches to your beautiful quilt. It will be a lot of work to take them all out, but you will be happier with the quilt in the long run.

I have had tension issues with my machine (still do) and it is frustrating. If you use her machine again you'll know to be diligent about watching both sides of the quilt and checking all your settings. At least the stitches shouldn't be hard to take out (as you and others have mentioned).

Darren

If you want to pick it out, send it to me and I will quilt it for you.

I don't think I would use that machine again, friend or not.
Your quilt is beautiful though and good luck with it.