Owners of the Q'nique or Block Rockit
 

Was wondering if there is a thread or threads that your machine likes better than another. Having a problem with thread breaking and shredding, so due to the frustration this causes I decided to post this question. Thanks for your responses.

Make sure your thread is not too old. Try pulling a length of thread apart. If it breaks easily...trash it. Also, it is worth spending a little extra on good thread. Less aggravating.

I'm wondering if you need a needle with a larger eye. I don't have a longarm, but the Block Rocket is sure interesting. How do you like it?
Sue

My machines will not sew with Coats and Clark Dual Duty. Everything else works (so far)
I piece and quilt with Connecting Threads cotton - even if it is a bit linty, the price is right.

On my long arm the top thread shreds and breaks when the top tension is too tight, there is a bur on a thread guide or needle. If the thread "cuts" its a problem in the take up on the bobbin. Usually for me it's the top tension being too tight. I find that I sometimes need to adjust it when changing from a poly to a cotton thread. Seems to happen much more with cotton for me. I use mostly Superior--SoFine is my favorite. Like Glide too--but must use a netting with it.

I have used Omni in my BlockRockIt and the last quilt I did I used Connecting Threads cotton. Both stitched great. I have also used YLI without problems.

The thread is brand new so that is not it, the eye of the needle is large enough I'm using 50 weight thread. The thing is that I've been using the same thread since I got my machine (the Q'nique BTW ) and this just started I've changed threads and it just got worse. This is why I posted the question, wondering what anyone else was using. Am thinking of ordering some Aurifil to see if it makes it better. Also did try the other trouble shooting suggestions.

Maybe you are just going too fast.....not allowing for that stitch to be formed and thus shredding, breaking thread. Or a piece of lint is buried somewhere along the way causing the drag that snaps the thread...no matter what brand! Remember LINT is a quilters four letter word!

I've had a Block Rockit ever since they came out. I've used many types of threads including serger thread, embroidery thread, threads from Connecting Threads and it sews them all beautifully. The only thing is getting the tension correct. Yes for some types you may have to go to a larger or smaller needle depending on the size and type of thread but the machine should sew it once set up correctly.

Some machines just don't like a particular thread but that's pretty much in all brands of machines. So far I love my Block Rockit.

David

I'm thinking that is you are having this problem with several brands of threads, that it's not a thread issue but either a tension or maybe something with the take up arm on the bobbin.

Here is a link about pairing needles to thread -- for 50wt thread you should use the 14 needle (I use top stitch needles for most of my sewing) for quilting -- you can get away with a 12 for piecing. http://www.quiltingboard.com/resources/article-61.html

That said, my machine hates Sulky thread -- I can use anything else. You also might try a different needle -- I had issues and an entire box of new needles must have had burrs since when I went to a different box of needles I had no problems.

As a fairly new owner of my Q'nique (love it!) since November, I have found proper tension is the key, and watching the speed also helps. I use either size 14 or 16 needles, depending on the weight of thread. Yesterday I was quilting on batik fabric for the first time on Q'nique. The thread broke a few times. Finally, I realized batik is rather tightly woven. I switched to a size 18 needle, and the thread breakage stopped. The needle does not leave any noticeable holes in the fabric.

Special note: before each project, I always test the tension on a strip of the same fabric on the backing next to the actual quilt top on the side and make adjustments accordingly.

I had this problem last week with my Tin Lizzie, didn't matter what thread I used. The dealer talked me into buying King Tut (sooo expensive) but didn't solve anything. Then I realized I was using a thinner batting and thought to let the foot down a fraction more - it worked! Haven't had a broken thread since. By the way, I'm quilting with machine embroidery thread on top for this quilt and all is well.

Yes, you are right! The manual for Q'nique recommends putting the equivalent of eight layers of paper (I stapled 8 small posit notes together) under the presser foot and lowering the foot attachment down until it touches the paper and then tightening up the attachment before quilting. I check this before each project since I use different battings.

Have you tried a new needle? You could have a burr on the needle.

I agree that your problem is either a piece of lint or a tension problem.

I have the same needle in that I was using before this started, I did check the bobbin case to see if there was any lint cleaned it out just in case no change. Also I'm using the same batting that I have been, started this quilt top a few weeks ago everything was going fine now this so extremely annoying! I have been doing other things and since the top is mine I was not in a rush to complete it. I will change the needle but I agree it's probably a tension issue because of where it is shredding, It's like when a knot gets caught up.

My LA also hates Sulky--when I looked on their website, it made note that when using it on a LA you should go slow.

I have a Block Rockit and have great success with Omni thread. I tried a different brand and never could get the tension just right. I went back to Omni.....no more problems.

There are are two block Rockit groups that I know of. One on yahoo and one on Facebook. I have learned a lot there. Feel free to pm if you want to connect. I love my block Rockit and enjoy the fact that I don't have to worry about sandwiching my quilts!

Talking to my former longarmer, she recommended Glide thread. It works like a charm for me.

I am considering the BlockRockit and have been reading all I can about it. I read yesterday that sometimes thread breakage can be caused by a frame that is not level.

OK, a couple of things I look for when this happens...
1) I unthread the machine, and grab a good length of dental floss (yes, DENTAL FLOSS) and use it to clean between the top tension disks.
2) change the needle - sometimes a needle will get a burr that we can't see (but you can feel it sometimes).
3) clean the bobbin case Extra good. Look at Jamie Wallen's YouTube video on thread tension. One of the things he does is slip a large pin thru the thread path of the bobbin case. (It's a LOT easier to understand by watching the video)
4) check your upper thread path. Get a length of some finer thread (silk works great if you have it) and use that length of thread much like you would dental floss in your teeth. You should not feel any snag/drag on the thread anywhere in the usual path.

Since you say you changed threads and it just got worse, I'm pretty sure there's something snagging somewhere along the path of the thread.

Sometimes you just need to walk away for a day or so, too, so you're not stressing yourself into making things worse.

I just received my Qnique yesterday, DH is helping me get it on my Next Generation frame and we have problems. The carriage is jumping off of the track! DH is very mechanically minded <snort> I am sure he will have it up and running for me by....tomorrow?

All of the tips about the Qnique were greatly appreciated.

Have a great weekend.

JulieM

Threads breaking
 

I am so thankful for everyones comments on this. I did All of the suggestions and I no longer have breakage. I corrected the level of the frame, cleaned the bobbin, lowered the presser foot, and adjusted the tension and now it sews like a dream. Thanks everyone. :)

I had trouble with thread un-twisting in humid, rainy weather.

I use connecting Threads Essential thread cones, the polyester. Seems to work well. Initially, I had problems with the actual quilting. It turned out that the bobbin case was defective.

Other thoughts:

1. Make sure your needle is in straight - straight is important - and has no burs.
2. ensure bobbin tension is set correctly
3. Check that you have the machine threaded correctly. I spent hours trying to fix a tension problem one day. Next day, I went to my machine to do battle and immediately noticed that I had not threaded it correctly.
4. Try a different spool of thread. Sometimes we get a bad spool....
5. Check the timing. I have never personally checked the timing, but the Q'nique 21 manual has instructions on how to check it and set it.