Longarm question
 

What is making "eyelashes" on my pebbling? I would think that the eyelashes would indicate loose bobbin thread or too tight top thread. My top thread is definitely not tight and my bobbin thread stands the bobbin on its side when I pull the thread up. I was doing my bobbin thread that way rather than the "yo yo way on the bobbin." I hope this is making sense? I read where it is said that a large part of tension problem is from bobbin but I know my top tension was too loose because the was a large space between rod and tension plate. Does this make any sense?

I have had trouble too when the hopping foot was a titch too high. I try to keep about a dime's width between the bottom of the hopping foot and the fabric.

I also always check the bobbin tension with the TOWA gauge, every bobbin. And I find big differences in the top tension needed for different threads, even when they are the same weight. So many things to check!

Good luck!

Is your machine on a frame or are you doing the ol' push-n-shove through a DSM on a table?

Try slowing down a bit. I've had eyelashing when I move the machine too fast.

I get eyelashes on the back when I move too fast! Ann

Edit: Great minds think alike. We must have posted almost at the same time.

:thumbup: .

I've also had eyelashing when my bobbin is not wound properly.

Slow down!!!!!

Is the eyelashing on the underneath side? If so check that your top thread is firm in the tension discs. If you can pull the top thread through the needle easily while the foot is down the tension needs tightening, or it's not threaded correctly.
With the bobbin, you say it stands on end if you pull the thread up, does it not unravel? If not the tension there may be too tight.
You might be getting backlash from the bobbin turning too fast. I just cut a small circle of cotton fabric, cut a hole in the middle, and fit it into the bobbin casing before inserting the bobbin. It seems to stop that problem.
You might have to play with them both to find that happy medium.

Good luck.

I get eyelashing on the bottom with my Voyager when the presser foot (mine sticks occasionally) has caught and not completely down. Also if the upper thread is some how misthreaded or not in the tension disks properly.

Yes you are making sense. You are using Jamie Wallen's method of testing bobbin tension. We need to know if the eyelashes are showing up on the top or the bottom. If on the bottom that means your bobbin tension is too tight or you could have a blob of lint caught in the bobbin case spring (which happens to me quite often when quilting with 100% cotton bobbin thread in the bobbin or quilt has a flannel back.) Or your top is way too loose or slipped out of a tension disc. If on the top, the reverse is true, to truly confuse things, I have had the same infamous blob of lint in the spring also make my bobbin tension go way too loose!. Speed can also effect it but for the most part, in my experience, it is usually a tension issue. I can go pretty fast when pebbling and making big swoopy feathers and when my tension is good I never get eyelashes. But if it is off then I get them ranging from teeny to big whoppers.

If your eye lashing is only on curves you are probably speeding up as you make the curve. I call it the swoosh factor. Try to keep your speed even over the curves.

Thanks everyone for the input. Ok I have just purchased a used Liberty APQS. I am teaching myself and it's been fun but challenging. So far I have just done a couple of practice pieces with sheets and muslin and of course cotton batting. I am using Superior "so fine" thread. The eyelashes are on the top! It seems I was doing pebbles that did not have eyelashes on every pebble before but do now. Today I am going to slow down. That could be the problem. I am now thinking after reading all these suggestions that it could be the top tension as last night when I was fussing with it I noticed the disc on the top tension was opened! Which would mean there was no top tension, right? So I will mess with that. I cleaned the bobbin case several times, I checked for dust or threads in the bobbin spring and honestly I did not notice any lint. The bobbin tension appeared right as it did turn on its side and I could pull the thread evenly! So when I go up today I will try all these suggestions! Oh by the way I used a turbo winder to wind my bobbins! The bobbins appeared to be hard so I thought that they looked pretty good but that turbo winder is almost scary when it winds it's so powerful! Anyway ladies thanks for input...in about one hour I will be up there using and going over each suggestions given to me by you all!

One other cause which hasn't been mentioned (I think) is having the quilt sandwich too tight. You should be able to grab (with your other hand) the end of your finger with the quilt sandwich overtop of it if you push it up from underneath the quilt sandwich.

OK here is my update: I changed bobbin cases, oiled machine, adjusted top tension, loosened quilt on frame and slowed down and the result was positive! My pebbles are not making the eyelashes on top, how ever the thread broke twice. I readjusted the tension just a smidge and all looks well. Thanks now I will go back and practice with anxiety that it will mess up again. Now to longarm it seems there are going to be those cases of repeated problems and new problems arising which puts me on guard just waiting for another hill to climb! When does it get easy? When will I be able to travel back and not fall off the track? Oh my maybe 64 years old is too old to start longarm quilting! We will see!

Jude, don't give up! I have just started longarming and also have had tension problems and thread breakages. I finally found out that my inexpensive Janome 1600 is a thread snob!! Darned thing only likes Aurifil thread!!

lol Susie, i an starting to see that these machines do everything even think for them self! How long have you ben long arming? Are you teaching yourself? Good luck with your adventure of long arming. We are lucky to have this board with so many talented folks to help us when we are in a pinch!
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Eyelashing in my case was caused because I did not floss my thread in the tension disks. Once I did this, it sorted it shelf out. BTW, my machine was a used longarm also. Good luck.

OK I am new at this so I have to ask.: what does flossing your thread in tension disks mean?

You. Also might check how tight your quilt ison the frame. After you put yout three layers on I find it helps to put one finger on the underneath side and poke it with your finger if you can pinch all three layers with your other hand the tension of your quilt on the frame is not to tight this allows the thread to penetrate the fabrics when quilting
Also some fabrics have a higher thread count.

Another trick is to shorten your stitch length.

I agree with feline fanatic. Check for lint, and check bobbin tension then if the eyelashes are on the bottom, tighten the top thread. I always sample a small area to the side of the quilt to check tension. I've found it varies depending on what thread I use on the top and in the bottom. I adjust accordingly each time I use the LA.

As I interpert this - flossing the thread in the tension is making sure it is between the two metal disks properly - much like floss is used between teeth!

I get eyelashing if I am moving too fast. I always stop, turn off the machine. Turn it on again, rethread, remind myself of how much I have used the needle, check my tension settings and go again. You might want to practice that motion on a small fabric sandwich until you get them right, then go back to your quilt

You are not too old! It is just a matter of practice and finding what threads your machine likes. Superior Threads has a thread chart on their website for free. Also, I believe there are probably some groups on Yahoo or another site for your LA machine - maybe even APQS, these are made up of other users and often have useful tips.

Also, see if you can find some LA classes near you. Did you buy from a dealer? See if there is a dealer near you that offers classes.

I have had my longarm for a couple years in Jan and I am 70 so no you are not too old to start. Hang in there

I find that when my tension goes wacko, this is usually the issue--and hitting a seam bump will sometimes pull it out.. I also have found that some of the finer,"slicker" threads, like Glide come off the thread spool faster and mess with tension--so those thread spools get a little stocking cap---you can buy net ones, but I use the toe of hosery with the tip cut off so thread can pull though. It does not have to be tight. Also the Towa gauge, used on every bobbin, sure has helped end the constant guess work on tension.