Problems with Hoopsisters Sewn Seeds BOM sampler
 

Hello all, I'm at my wits end. I'm making a quilt shop sample of the Hoopsisters Sewn Seeds sampler and am having a lot of trouble once I put the backing on the block. I'm using quilt shop batik fabrics and the battilizer with Madeira Polyneon thread. I have tried these blocks on a Babylock Ellagio plus and Babylock Ellisimo Gold. My thread is shredding and breaking repeatedly once I start the embroidery and quilting where I'm using the same thread in the top and bobbin. I have already contacted my local quilt shop and Hoopsisters for suggestions, but nothing seems to help. I switched to a Microtex 90/14 needle, tried a different bobbin case, re threaded top and bottom numerous times, even had the machine serviced. I slow the machine down as far as it will go. I added the cover over the feed dogs. I even tried backing the block with cotton and testing cotton on top and bottom. My thread was recently purchased. I tried changing the tension, but I have no clue what effect that is having. Is anyone else experiencing these kinds of issues? I have only completed 4 blocks of the 64 I need! Eek! Any suggestions would be appreciated. And you for your time!

Have you tried a different thread? I've only done their Goose Tracks with the border, and I had no problems with it at all. I have a Brother Innovis 4000D. Just curious, where is your thread shredding? I had an issue with some shredding as the thread was going through the take-up lever, and the tech found a burr on it. Now, how do you get a burr there? Who knows? He sanded it down and it worked like a charm.

what is 'batilizer'- is it wadding? That may be the problem. Have you done any stitching on just the batik? I think some have had a problem with that, and what type of backing fabric. I'd look at changing either the wadding or backing.

Good luck

Did you wash your batiks before using them? I have heard that a slight bit of wax could be left in the fabric when they are made. It can build up on needle and cause your thread to fray. I can't say that this has happened to me personally
I do wash all fabric, but have heard it mentioned on the net.

I am not sure what this battilizer does but I also quilt in the hoop and never have had a problem

I don't know what battilizer is either but I normally use a standard cotton (Mettler is my thread of choice) in my bobbin. You might want to use some lubricant (available at JAF) called Sewer's Aid. I always lubricate any top thread that is shredding on the Bernina 1530. Usually only have to use it on the Sulky metallic threads.

Love Battilizer....it is batting that is "good stuff" IMHO. I would change your thread. You could also try just one spool of another brand and see if that helps. IF it makes no difference you may have a burr as was mentioned before. Personally I have had problems with Maderia thread, but not all of them and not all the time. I switched to BFC and I didn't have any more problems. Another thing you might try is a topper, but if the thread is shredding I doubt you will have any changes. http://bfc-stash.com/ click on start shopping then BFC poly thread. I have not affiliation with this company just a happy customer.

I'm doing that pattern in the class at my local shop right now and was experiencing the same problem. I am no however, using the battilizer, but instead using no show mesh and warm & soft combo. I was having spreading problems too and thought my almost new machine might need service. But during the last session, we tried different needles and found that switching to the Microtel needle worked for me - I see that didn't help you though. Hmmm. I am using Kona Cotton though, so my fabric is different.

I also think that the fact that I used some adhesive spray to hold the back on so it wouldn't get messed up while setting up might have contributed to my problem.

Good luck - don't really know what to say, since my problem was resolved with a needle change. I'm using Floriani Polyester thread, by the way.

Hi Barb, I have not tried a different thread. I believe they recommend polyester and I only have the Madeira Polyneon. What brand of thread did you use? The thread seems to be shredding, untwisting and bunching up in the take-up lever area as well as at the needle. I did have the machine serviced and they didn't find any problems. I wish the case would open in front of that area just so it could be vacuumed out. Thank you for your response, I do appreciate your time.

Hi Gay, The Battilizer is the Hoopsisters batting and stabilizer combined product that they recommend for their designs. As I'm completing the top of the block I'm not running into problems; there are decorative embroidery stitches done on the top and through the battilizer before the backing. It seems the trouble starts once I put the backing on, which is batik that is machine basted through the layers. I also tried using cotton on the back, but am still having trouble. Thank you for your response, I do appreciate your time!

do you have the thread in some kind of extender? It may not have far enough to relax before it hits the working areas? I Use a coffee cup behind the machine to hold the thread spool

Hello Kasey, I did not wash the batiks but that is a good idea that I will try. I have yardage from the quilt shop and I figured that if I can't actually finish the blocks I would return the fabric to the shop. I'll cut off a chunk of each color and give it a wash and press. Thank you for the idea! ~Paula

Hello KalamaQuilts, I have a 10 spool thread stand that is place to the right, behind my machine. The thread comes off the spool, up through a guide hole in the arm, through the thread guide on my machine, then through a spool cap and then is threaded like normal. I have this set up per the instructions on the Babylock website. :-) I've been trying to keep an eye on how the thread is coming off the spool and sometimes it does look like it is a bit twisted. Thank you for your response, I appreciate your time.

Hi Kristi, I have been changing the Microtex 90/14 needle every 1 and a half blocks or so. I switched to those after the first two blocks when Hoopsisters customer service recommended them. Is anyone at your shop using batik fabric to make their blocks? My quilt shop says that they have made hoop sisters designs before with batiks and didn't have the issue. I would be interested to see how others using batiks are faring. thank you for your time!

I would contact Hoopsisters, especially since another poster also mentioned problems.

Hello imsewnso, Thank you for the suggestion. I will be picking up a couple of different polyester threads to try out. This is the first project I have done using the same thread in the bobbin and in the top, the rest of my embroidery projects use regular embroidery bobbin thread. thank you for your time! ~Paula

Hello PaperPrincess, I have been in contact with them a few times and have tried out their suggestions. They are interested in knowing what my solution is. They told me that another Babylock retailer stated they had the same kinds of issue using batik fabrics, but since I did not want to start over from scratch, I tried changing out the backing fabric from batik to cotton....still having issues. I'm going to wash some fabric today and give it a go. One way or the other I am determined to find a solution, although at this rate I may not be able to finish the sample in time for the AQS show where the shop wants to display it. :-( Thank you for your time!

I think that the batik fabrics are the issue....when quilting batik fabrics I was told to up the size of the needle and slow down stitching speed, and place the thread further away from the needle - on a single spool stand behind the machine. Batiks are so beautiful - but they can be a needle killer...needles soon lose their "sharpness" very quickly.

I believe one of the students is using batik, and I don't recall anyone else experiencing the same problem that I had. But since we've only met twice so far, and I was paying more attention to my own problems than anyone else's I can't really be sure.

I have an Ellisimo and when I had thread shreading, I found that lowering the embroidery foot height (the last item on page 6 under the notebook paper icon) fixed the problem.

Hello alikigirl, Thanks for the advice! I had raised the height because of the battilizer plus layers of fabrics and stitches. I will try this in my testing. Thanks again.

My friend is doing the store sample also. She is using cotton batting and no show mesh. From past experience we have learned it is more work than it is worth to do the backing step. She has not had any problem. It is a beautiful quilt the picture does not do it justice.

When I have this problem. I switch to a top stitch needle. It helps

Check the height of your presser foot for the embroidery mode. I had this same experience once and it turned out that my presser foot height had been moved from the default setting. I don't know how it happened.....embroidery machine gremlins, I think. The only other thought is....could it be the battilizer. I have never worked with that; maybe try one block with standard batting. I feel your frustration as I have been in your place. Hope your problem is resolved soon.

I would try doing a block on different fabric? Although I did the Goosetrack Hoopsisters and Whole Earth on all batiks. I believe I used a needle that said embroidery needle. Are you using a thread stand? Good luck. I would also try a different brand of thread. I have found certain brands of thread don't work in my machine for FMQ.

I am not sure about madeira thread as personally I never did care for it as I did have trouble with it but have you changed position of your spool some you can turn over and the thread will come up from the bottom sometimes from the top and some threads only work standing up hope I'm clear on this good luck

Hi Stashelf, If you don't add the backing, do you just use regular embroidery bobbin thread instead of switching to matching thread? That may seem like a dumb question, but I don't know if they do something different to the stitches to account for the thicker bobbin. thank you!

Hello meanmom, did you use batik backing on the Whole Earth quilt and do the decorative quilting through the backing? Did you pre-wash the batiks? I'm using Microtex 90/14 needles as recommended by Hoopsisters. I have a 10 spool thread stand behind my machine. In all my other embroidery projects I use the Madeira Polyneon and have never had an issue, but others are also suggesting to use different thread. Thank you for your response!

I use regular embroidery bobbin thread. I do the backing the same as any quilt.

I don't have an embroidery machine, but did an all batik quilt on the long arm and had lots of shredding with one of my threads--finally figured out that the quilt was too tight on the frame. Don't know how this translates to an embroidery machine, but is there a way to loosen the tension?

I use Polyester Embroidery threads. Some are from Connecting Threads, ARC thread and several other "off" brands. I use inexpensive thread that I have gotten by buying off Ebay for 30 or 40 spools of 1100 yds each for less than $100. Madeira is too pricey for me. Since the thread is shredding before you go very far, I really think most of your problem is the thread.

Most times I use the same thread in the top & bottom. But I do have a full case of bobbins if I want to just use the polyester bobbin thread. Neither causes any problems for me. I did the Goose Tracks with Batiks and used the Organ HAx130EB 80/12 embroidery machine needles. They are wonderful and last forever. I got them from All Brands in Baton Rouge.

Second problem.... Most machines have a screw in the back of where the lever take up is. If you find one, unscrew it and you can probably slide the cover off the take up lever to do any clean-up or maintenance you want to.

Thanks for the info Barb, did you wash your batiks before starting? Also, did you do a batik backing with the quilting stitches? I'm determined to figure this out. I plan to start again tomorrow. I will have to look for that screw on my Ellagio, I don't want to mess with the Ellisimo since I'm just borrowing it. Thanks so much for your response! -Paula

I never pre-wash. One of these days I'm going to wash something I've made and have major colors everywhere, but so far Color Catchers and I are best friends. I didn't use a batik back. I used a regular cotton, although my friend did use a batik and had no problem with hers. She has made several of the Hoopsisters patterns and 3 I know were batik backs. No problems. She did the Queen Feathered star on her Ellisimo and I was with her for a lot of it. Her machine chugged through it. She uses all different brands of thread, about like I do.

I am really looking forward to finding out what works for you. As a side note. If I ever do another Hoopsisters, I don't think I am going to put a backing on each piece. It will be so much easier to join all the pieces and add a backing after the fact. I am thinking that I would used invisible thread and just do a stitch in the ditch.

Thanks so much Barb, now I feel like there is hope for me. Once I figure it out i will post my solution.

I would love to know the final outcome, did you solve the problem. I am starting the class in January and would like to learn all I can before I begin. Thanks

You seem to be exhausting all avenues, so I can only make a couple more suggestions.
A needle with the largest eye possible. Wash the batik well in hot water, hopefully to soften. Turn the thread spool/cone upside down, it may remove the twist. If all else fails, try a good dose of silicone spray on the spool/cone. It will lubricate the thread, and will not stain the fabric. I have done this several times both on poly and cotton thread and it's worked miracles. I get mine at the hardward store, cheaper than the LQS (and some don't stock it). If that seems unbelievable, try it on scrap pieces first.
Love to know how you solve this problem.

Hi Nancybugs, Unfortunately I was never able to solve the problem. I ended up turning all the supplies back into the quilt shop. I don't know if they ended up having anyone else work on it or not. It was a huge blow to my 'sewing self esteem' I can tell you. I have embroidered a bunch of other things since then using the same thread and have had sporadic issues, although I believe my machine absolutely hates anything but Finishing Touch bobbin thread. I hope you do not have the same issues as me, other ladies have responded that they didn't have these issues using the batiks. Good luck to you! It is a truly a magnificent and beautiful quilt. ~Paula

Hi Paula, I wondered about the bobbin. As I understand this so far you use the same thread in the bobbin as the top. I use a 40 wt in the top and a 60 wt in the bobbin. I have thought this may be a problem, I will soon find out. I am so sorry you had to return yours, would you consider trying again? Thank you for your help. Nancy

i have used a lighter weight but same coloured thread in my bobbin for hoopsister projects. the idea is to make the back look as nice as the front and not give myself conniptions :-). it has worked out quite well for me and i seem to pick out mostly batiks for my projects.

That has made me feel better about this project. Sometimes I study to much and scare myself. Thank you, Nancy