I am not sure why this is happening..my thread keeps breaking in the middle of my free motion quilting..this is my first quilt and I have never even used a sewing maching before..all seems to be going well so far but I tried to put some decorative thread in the quilt (sulky rayon) just because I found it to be the prettiest!! :) I think I'm using the right size needle..which is a 90/14..using some sewers aid and all that...so not sure what is going on..almost done with the stippling..so it has become very frustrating!!

also..I am loosening the tension..but all I end up with is the loops on the back of my quilt..:(

Some days you have to play with the tension to get it just right. Machine speed, hand speed, batting thickness and thread all seem to effect the tension setting.

I think it is helpful to make a sample square of the same materials as the quilt and play with it until I get the tension right.

I break my thread a lot when I start taking the curves too fast.

Wow! That is very brave to FMQ on a first quilt and never have sewn before! I hope you can get your tension fixed. Lisa is correct. Practice on a sample for a bit and get the "hang" of the machine and it's qwirks. Otherwise, awesome job. Don't forget to post a picture!

How old is the thread? Sometimes old thread has gone brittle and isn't good anymore.

Try using a top stitch needle in your machine when doing free motion quilting. Also wind a new bobbin as well. Sometimes that can also create problems.

NEW microtex needle, GOOD thread, feed dogs lowered, stippling foot, bobbin tension....soooooo many things to factor in...it takes practice on a sandwich first...not on the quilt....you might also be going to fast....slow it down and let the machine do the work not your shoulders!

wet the spool and place in the fridge for a few days

Some spools have a plastic spool and have a slice in it to rewind, if the slice is at the beginning it will snag there and brake , I just found that out myself , it was nerve racking, until I saw what it was.. hope this may help.. good luck

I've never had much luck with sulky rayon. Breaks everytime in both my newer machines.

before messing with the tension- try a different thread- some threads simply will not work for quilting- and you can spend days of aggrivation- and really mess your tension up to the point of having to take it in to a shop- when all you needed was to change to a different thread-
i have $400 worth of sulky rayon threads in 2 wonderful large sets- great for embroidery--
not a single spool will work for me for quilting- they all break...every couple inches.

so before messing with the mechanics of the machine start with a different thread and see what happens.

Be sure the area where the thread goes in the tension wheels is clear. Many neglect to keep that lint free.
Use an old handkerchief, fold it and pull that edge between the wheels all around. I also find if I put the spool of thread on the holder with the thread coming off the back of the spool, the nick on the spool down and a nice sharp needle helps with the frustration. Decorative threads are for slow sewing, perhaps you were speeding?

Carol J.

Be sure your bobbin is loading correctly. I had this problem and I didn't have the bobbin thread coming across the bobbin right.

The problem is likely to be the rayon thread. I have heard it doesn't stand up to rough use on a finished project as well as other thread also. It sure is pretty and I have perservered on a smaller project with it but it does break. If it works for a while, when it breaks, pull out a few stitches until you have enough to tie the bobbin and upper threads together, put them in aa easy thread hand needle and bury the ends in the quilt sandwich. Carefully put the machine needle in the hole where the sewing stops, bring up your bobbin thread and proceed until the next break, repeat. I have since found a beautiful polyester thread that has the "look" of the rayon but is tougher (Deco Bob by WonderFil) it's polyester.

I've been sewing for years and hardly ever mess with tension..by-pass the last loop at the needle with your thread..it works for me..learned this in a class through Berina on FMQ !! You are brave 1st time out..good luck!

First instinct says that it's your needle. Either the size is wrong for your thread or it has a small catch on it that's breaking your thread.

My own rule is that if the thread breaks 3 times, change the needle. Surprising how often that fixes it.

I just finished FMQ a quilt with Sulky rayon thread. While it is not a strong thread, it didn't break once. I use a size 12 needle. I don't like the hole a 14 leaves, but my guess yours is in the tension. Have you adjusted the bobbin tension?

ok..here is my pic..remember it is my first quilt..so the quilting is not going to be perfect and it does have many flaws..but this will be going on our bed..so I guess this is my practice quilt..the thread I was trying to use was the variated?? with all the colors in my quilt in it..very pretty..I am going to ck all things that were suggested..thanks so much!!

I only use rayon thread for embriodery, not quilting. I don't think the rayon is as strong as cotton thread.

I love to use variagated thread for quilting. Use it all the time.