I have heard of a "bobbin gadget" to help "insure" the tension of your longarm bobbin is going to be correct. I can't remember what it was called. I'm sure someone here knows what it is, and let me know from everyone that has one....is it worth the price and does it really work? I think I remember that it was around $80 or $90. Is there a catalog that has them?

P.S.....I recently had a terrible time trying to quilt a quilt that had batiks for some of the patchwork. My HQ16 just made horrible skipped stitches on the batiks, but not the other cottons. Anyone had this experience? That's why I'm looking into this bobbin gadget. Appreciate suggestions/comments about this, too.

That would be the TOWA gauge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7tzbj8_3fI

Yes I have had problems on batiks also.

I think I may have to buy some bobbin genies she seems to like them! I still am not sure what the purpose of the towa is.

You can buy a TOWA gauge here.

http://columbiariverquilting.com/tow...ion_guage.html

DID you see the price of that thing? No thanks. I sent you a PM.

No thanks neither me too.

Yup, I just suffered through one. Not only skipped stitches, but the thread frayed and broke every time I came to a batik fabric. I was planning on making myself a batik king quilt, but after that experience, I may change my mind.

It's a Towa, and it's worth it's weight in gold. However, on the HQ16 (that's what I have) and the batiks, your issue may be one of several things. If it's making any noise, as well as skipping, it can mean dull needle or needle is too big. Skipped stitches often mean tension is too tight on either top or bottom or both, or the thread may be dry, or the bobbin wound incorrectly.

I'd say start with some silicon drops (Sewers Aide) and spread 4-5 rows on thread. This helps so much, for a variety of things, and is also worth it's weight in gold. Try this first, test, then try loosing your upper tension 1/2 turn and test, then loosen bobbin and test. Also, loosen the quilt tension (we do tend to quilt with those way too tight which will alone cause skipped stitches) a couple of notches. Just some ideas that helps me.

Have you joined the HQ16 Yahoo Group? It's a great place for help and advice specific to our machine. Lots of wonderful helpful people on there -and tons of items to research through.

Hope this helps,
Debbie in Austin