Hi everyone! I'm a quilting newbie, actually a sewing newbie, and was hoping someone could help me. I'm doing a simple log cabin quilt and just stitching in the ditch. My problem is that the top thread keeps going through all the layers and getting tangled with the bobbin thread. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Thank you so much!

Hi and welcome to the board from Iowa.

you'll need to explain a little better.... are you quilting?
what do you mean it goes thru all the layers? and how is it tangled?

thank you!

Hello! Yes, I'm quilting. My top thread is poking through my quilt sandwich and I end up with a tangled mess of thread on the bottom of my quilt. Is that more useful?

I'm sorry I'm not clear. I'm really new at this. Thanks for your help!

Try re=threading your machine both top and bottom and then try again. This is what I do first.

Chances are it's the bobbin thread that's getting tangled, check that you have the correct bobbin for your machine, as well as rethreading the machine. if that doesn't help you may need to adjust the bobbin tension

Re-thread, make sure the bobbin is in right and then check the tension.

Also, before you start a line of sewing, are you bringing the bottom thread to the top of the quilt? When I was brand new, I was not aware of this practice and it was a problem!

To bring the bottom (bobbin) thread to the top, take the first stitch (I just turn my wheel) down into the quilt and back up and pull the loop of bottom thread up, hold the tails of both threads for your first few stitches.

Are you pulling up the bobbin thread before you start? That will leave a mess on the back. Also, check your bobbin tension. You should be able to smoothly pull out the bobbin thread with gentle pressure or if it's the front loading type of bobbin, you should be able to hold the thread in one hand and the bobbin will slowly drop into the other hand. Also, did you loosen the top tension and increase the stitch length? Quilting stitches are longer & looser than normal sewing stitches.