My quilt gets stuck in the machine! Is it the thread, the needle, the stitch length?
 

Hi, Everyone,

I quilt on a Juki 2010q. Oftentimes, when I'm quilting with my walking foot (I use the one that came with the machine), my quilt doesn't feed through the machine smoothly. It jams in one spot, like a truck that's gotten stuck in the mud, and I get a cluster of stitches in one spot. I have to push the quilt through a little forcefully to get it walking smoothly again, which doesn't make for the tidiest quilting lines. I keep my machine well-oiled and I change my needles frequently. Generally, I use quilting cottons or flannels with low-loft cotton or bamboo batting. I'm still new to this machine, so my relative inexperience might be the culprit here, but it does make me wonder about other factors that could be causing the quilt to get stuck, like thread, needle, and stitch length. So, in addition to any general advice you all might have regarding getting un-stuck, I'm also wondering:

1) What type and weight of thread do you use when quilting and do you use the same type and weight in the bobbin?

2) Assuming you use a quilting needle, what size are you using?

3) What's your preferred stitch length? I generally prefer the look of a stitch length between 2.5 and 2.75. However, my quilt tends to feed most consistently when I go up to a length of 4.

As always, thank you for everything fellow quilters!

Best,
Aso

When I have had this problem, it seems to be always related to how the quilt is draped around the machine. The cure for me would be to get one of those suspender setups that lift the quilt up above the machine. (I will post a photo if I can find it.) Any type of drag on the quilt will cause the kind of problem you are describing -- e.g., if the quilt is hanging down over the front edge of the sewing machine cabinet, over the left side edge, or over the back edge of the sewing machine cabinet (or machine).

Edit: I found the website of the suspender setup another QB member posted about:
http://www.jennoop.com/suspenders.html
She really likes hers, but I haven't been able to find that thread.

I hadn't thought of that at all, Prism. Thanks so much for the advice. If you have a picture of that suspender set-up or can direct me to one, that would be much appreciated!

I found the original post on the QB that caught my attention:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...g-t250048.html

Check the edit to my post above, where I give the website for that setup.

Edit: The QB thread shows alternative homemade setups too. If you Google Leah Day, I believe she made her own suspender setup. For me, I know I would need to buy it; have too many unfinished projects around the house!

In addition to the drag, it might be your presser foot pressure. Did you decrease it? Turn the dial until the blue bar is all the way to the top.

I did decrease it, Katie. It's all the way to the top. However, I actually wasn't sure if that was the best position for the pressure foot, so your confirmation is much appreciated!

Thanks again, Prism. Despite this contraption's resemblance to the "pull-up station" at my gym, I might have to give this a try... :)

Well, besides the presser foot, whyich has to have SOME pressure on the quilt sandwich... what basting methoid are you using and could it be stuck on a basting stitch, or pin ? seems like that would be noticeable..... but... it happens....

Is it possible it's something to do with a bulky intersection or seams?

Are you using the single hole or a ziz zag plate? Sometimes the fabric bunches up into the hole. Number 1: I use 40 or 30 on the top and 60 on the bottom. Number 2: I use a 90-14 or 90-16. Number 3: stitch length between 3-4. Do not have a Juki.

I haven't had that problem yet on my 2010. But I am wondering if turning the presser foot all the way loose is the difference. I keep it the same about halfway. Afterall, it has to grip to "walk" between the feed dogs. Could that be it?

I have the same problem with my Janome, with the walking foot. When it happens, I switch to my regular foot and don't have the problem. If I really need to use my walking foot, I'll sew on a piece of fabric before I sew onto my project. That usually works. Sometimes I use paper, too, to sew onto first.

I have the same Juki as yours, but I have not encountered your problem. Sounds frustrating!! To answer your questions, I use Gutermann 50wt cotton thread for piecing and quilting, and use the same thread on the top and the bobbin, but may vary the colors. My machine came with size 14 Organ needles so have stuck with the organ brand. But I did buy some size 16 titanium needles and really like them so they are what I use. I also stitch between 2.5 and 2.75--if I go above 3 in length my machine seems to gather the fabric a little and am going to have my dealer look at this when I take it in for annual cleaning. I use my walking foot a lot and it stitches fine but does make an intermittent clacking noise that drives me batty.

I've been quilting with a Juki (first a TL98Q, and for past year, a 2010), and have not experienced the problem you are describing. The settings posted above might be a little off for this model of Juki. You have the single hole plate on (there isn't a zig zag function on this machine). Thread weights depend on how you want your quilting to look, but as Pat mentioned, the needle has to be the right size for the thread. When I quilt with a 40 wt thread, I also use a 90-14 needle. A stitch length of 3-4 might be a little long on the Juki; I usually set my length to about 2½ when using a walking foot. As others have said, I also usually have my presser foot pressure almost all the way at the top. Both the Juki machines I have used needed to be set there to work well when quilting multiple layers.

So... the one thing that I am wondering about is if you are installing your walking foot correctly with the "little forked lever/bar" around the needle set screw head. It has to be put on this way for the walking foot to function properly, and seems like it could cause the sort of problem you are having if it is not. I couldn't find any pics on the web of how this should look, but if you need one, I could take a pic tonight.

I pin baste, so it's not getting stuck on any stitches. I haven't noticed any pins getting stuck, but I'll keep an eye out now that you mention it!

On Juki 2010, the presser foot tension needs to be at the blue mark for FREE-MOTION QUILTING, with your hopping foot. You want it at least half-way down when using a regular foot or walking foot. A walking foot might even need a little more pressure than your regular foot.

I had the same problem with my walking foot. It had made many trips across quilt tops and it had just worn down the little plastic piece that moves inside the foot. So how old is your foot and how much use has it had? Also it helps to give the insides a good clean out and oiling. Move the pieces back and forth to be sure that it is working smoothly

Also check under your feed dogs to make sure that there is not a build up of lint packed there.

I found the same thing with my 2010Q... you need some foot pressure with the walking foot on. I just experimented until I found a pressure I liked... about halfway.

This machine is a straight stitcher only... no zig zag plate.