Long Arm Quilting Question
 

I am new to this and had a quilt on the longarm tonight that I removed and am now unquilting.

My first problem was visiting while doing the quilting - because I didn't check the back like I should have and there are all kinds of loops.

Every once in a while I would have some loops on the back and it appears that the tension must be the issue because most of the stitches have been pretty easy to remove.

Where do I start in figuring out how to fix this so I can reload the quilt and get it done? Is part of the problem the thread - I am using a varigated thread by Signature - I used it before on a quilt without any problems.

Any help will be appreciated.

Okay, I am a novice too but I think it is the tension. There are many groups on the net that can help with that as well as you can search here and see if there are any answers for you. Sorry I am not more help than that.

The first thing I do is unthread the top AND the bottom, making sure I have the machine threaded correctly.
Then I check my needle. Make sure it is all the way in and turned the right way. (My Gammill has a round top with no notch, so it isn't hard to turn the needle backwards.)
Make sure the quilt is taught, not tight when rolled on.
Usually, this will take care of the problem and I don't need to mess with the tension discs.

I agree with JustMe. Let us know if doing all that doesn't solve your looping problem. If it doesn't, I think you will have to adjust your tension--no big deal. We can help you with that, just give a holler. (I doubt the thread is any problem, since you have used that brand before with no problems.)

Totally agree. First rethread top and check bobbin. Sometimes if the bobbin is getting low it will act up. Do those, check on scrap and then work on the tension. This usually works for me.

After you have done all the above you might need to tighten your top tension. Run a practice piece and keep tightening and checking stitches.

failure to lower your presser foot will do exactly what you described. ask me how i know.

Your practice piece should match what your trying to work with... same fabric weight and thread count (ish) same batting same type of top fabric.. not saying you should peice a practice top just the same type of fabric... Just a thought- Mona~

Ditto.........

And ditto again..... also, I have found that I get loops on the bottom if I'm moving the machine too fast for the stitch speed... I have a tendency to move faster going around a loop...

Ditto x 4!!

If you have 3 or 4 inches of batting and backing on the side of the quilt, cut a strip and put it on top of the batting and use it to test your stitching. You may already know this, but it's an easy way to tell if you are having problems with the thread and to test any adjustments you make. And....DITTO to all of the above! Sorry you're having to take out the stitches....sigh...been there!

On a longarm, you don't lower the presser foot so that isn't her problem. I donthave a ton of experience yet, but I set my bobbin case tension first.i use a towa gauge and pretty much know that my magic number is 180 for tension but you can do the drop test and hold the thread in one hand and the bobbin should slowly drop like a spider from a spider web. Then I just use some practice fabric and adjust the top tension till i like what I see stitch wise. I run my fingernail under the backing on the bobbin thread to intermittently check my stitches. Your fingernail should not catch the thread it should move freely on the stitching line with no catches if that makes any sense.

I guess that depends on your definition of a longarm. I have an 18" WOW, which I consider a longarm, and it DOES have a presser foot lever. I have a friend with a Voyager, it has a presser foot lever. I know quite a few quilters who consider anything on a frame a longarm, and their 9" machines have presser feet that lift. The OP doesn't specify what kind of machine she has, so it's entirely possible she has a machine that needs to have the presser foot lowered.

I could be mistaken, but I don't think there is a Gammil Longarm that has a presser foot!

It would be helpful to know what machine you have. As noted, some have presser feet to lower, some don't, some hve rotary tension, some have tension discs, etc.

If I have loops on the back I check that my checkspring is set correctly. Not sure if you have one, but watch it while sewing to see if it's bouncing back into position as it should.

It is most likely your tension. Signature thread is great, probably not that. When I first started after a few quilts I put a large muslin sandwich on the LA and worked with different threads and tensions. I did this for two whole days, but when I finished I had a much better understanding of the thread tension relationship. If you do not have a Towa (sp) tension tester consider buying one. They make finding the correct tension soooo much easier.

And if all of the above fails to cure the problem................... I had trouble last fall with my longarm. I could stitch a straight line, never change the bobbin or top tension and would have sporadic bad stitching. If yours is doing this (meaning, if it's not when you just do loops), then get a new bobbin case!! I went thru a nightmare trying to figure it out. My old bobbin case had a piece that was supposed to be straight/flat. Mine tilted....the thread would go thru this area and was fine, then it would slip into the tight area and not be good, then back again. It was a bear to figure out! (meaning I cried a lotta tears!). Good luck!

Ditto x's three I have a big tendency to move to fast esp when I am do meandering free motion on a LA I go so it to that I go to fast. Love to quilt whenever all things are good. MY problem too is making sure the thread is in between the disc on top, also remember to check for lint in the tension disc carefully. I try to make sure I start on a practice piece first. Have a good time with your quilting!

I had problems once with my machine that it took me a long time to figure out. I threaded, rethreaded, changed the needle, cleaned, cleaned and oiled. Finally since everything else had been done, I changed the thread. Problem went away and (knock wood) hasn't resurfaced. Every once in awhile you can get a bad spool. It was a quality thread, and the only mfg. I use. I emailed the mfg and they sent me a new one. Great customer service.

Agree on lowering the presser foot. And, slow down. I don't have my machine set to full speed and that helps a lot.