Has anyone tried the Magic Bobbin washers on an HQ machine? I was thinking of trying them on my Sweet Sixteen, but am hesitant. So I was wondering if anyone with an HQ has tried them and if so did they work for you. I'm concerned about them messing up the machine or the bobbin case.

Thank you for any help. :-)

I am curious too...

I like them. They have helped.

You can find lots of postings about them, when you do a search for bobbin washers.

I use them in all my metal bobbins. It prevents static that causes birdnesting of fabric and jerky starts that tangle up threads. They last a long time, I lose them before they wear out.

Okay, what is a bobbin washer and why would you use then?

I was wondering the same thing - what is a bobbin washer.

This is what the advertising says:
These small Teflon washers sit inside your bobbin case and help your bobbin thread glide smoothly and evenly while you quilt.

This completely eliminates backlash and bird's nests on the back of your quilt!
You can see them here:
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/8248.htm

Thanks for the info. I don't think I need these. My Brother has a drop in bobbin and there is no way it would work on my Bernina. I haven't had any problem with my HQ.

I go to Paducah quilt show every year and I make it a point to chat with the winners about what fabric they use, what machine, what thread, everything that usually isn't asked about the quilt. I wait until no one is crowded around them and they all love to answer something not the same repeat over and over. Bobbin Genies were used by most when machine piecing on all brands of machines, even the top of the line new ones. I learned some fun things like the accidental hole in one quilt that the maker used the fabric repair as seen on tv to mend. LOL I've learned that show quilts are far different then regular quilts, anything that works and works perfectly goes.

Guess I'm the odd man out. I wouldn't have a need for these, as I don't have a problem with FMQ backlashing or bird nesting on any of my 10 sewing machines.

Here I was visualizing an itty, bitty washing machine just for bobbins - thinking my bobbins never get dirty.

My friend with an HQ 16 suggested them, but when I bought mine, the dealer knew nothing about them. And i must say I haven't had any issues (yet). But they were highly recommended!

Sadiemae - I was wondering why would you need to wash a bobbin also. Glad I'm not the only one that thought this way.

When I asked at Joann Fabrics the girl also thought it was something to wash the bobbins in. I had never heard of them either until about a week or so ago.

I got them, and use them, but don't notice any difference. I really wasn't having any problems with my mechanical machines before. So why did I even try them? Oh well, I am easily swayed by almost any "gadget" thingy!

my first thought was also something to wash the bobbins... and I thought... IF you needed to wash it, why not just a bowl of soapy water...

heh

I just ordered some from Nancy's Notions, the package arrived yesterday. It will be at least next weekend before I get to try them out. I have had some birdnesting when so I thought I'd give these a whirl. I'm just starting out learning FMQ.

That is my biggest peeve, when a quilt shop does not know about or keep up with what is new, in this case, pretty old news. Bobbin Genies are not new. I went to a very big embroidery machine dealer and when I asked about Bedazzled, the owner looked at me like I meant the Bedazzle sold at Hobby Lobby! I had to show her on the internet what Bedazzled was all about. It's the most award winning machine embroidery for quilting in the last few years! She was flabbergasted at the concept. And she teaches machine embroidery? Has she looked at a trade magazine in the last year?

I've found that they sometimes help. Don't always use them, but I put one in if I can't get the tension right for FMQ and they can make a difference.

I use them in both my top loading Baby Lock and my front loading Bernina. I have not had a single problem since. However I don't own an HQ so can't address that.