Hi,
I put together a quilt with batik accents. No problem sewing it together. I put it on my frame and it's skipping all the stitches JUST on the batik. I've tried every needle from 11 to 14, different weights of thread and I'm stumped. I can't take it apart, I haven't time, it's a wedding gift. Aside from taking it off the frame and quilting it on my regular machine what else should I try? I've used batiks before without problems. As I said, it pieced together fine, so it's not the fabric...or is it? HELP!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks,
bev.

I must say I have never had this problem. I use Batiks a lot on both the front and back. I use a 16 or 18 needle. The only time I had skipping problems it was because my rollers for the stitch regulator had got off "track". I also use the same thread in the bobbin and top. Have you tried re-threading the machine from beginning to end including the bobbin? Some times that fixes these little "bugs". Good Luck. I am off to my all day quilt group. We meet from noon to 8pm on Mondays. Sometimes I get a lot done and others not.....to much talking and eating.
Connie

When I am having problems with threads skipping, I do what Connie suggested--I rethread my machine, and check my bobbin. Always a great place to start troubleshooting.

I just took my first long arm class and the instructor said that some Batiks are more picky about thread than others. Could it be the weight of your thread? Some Batiks are very tightly woven and you do not want to be tearing the fabric with your needle and thread.

I am sorry--these are my only suggestions. Others on the board are long arm quilters and can be more help, I am sure.

When quilting w/the batiks...do you all prefer a certain brand or kind of thread??Thanks ahead of time! Skeat

Thank you for the suggestions. I did try rethreading the machine but not a new bobbin. I have the same thread top and bobbin. I use coats and clark cotton. Maybe I should try one of the other brands. I'm confused because I had no trouble piecing with the same thread. Oh well. I'll try a new bobbin, a larger needle (I have some 18s) and I'll get back to you.
Again, thank you all for your suggestions. If worse comes to worse I'll quilt around the batiks. Seeing as the top is made of 1" and 2" squares and rectangles this should be fun!
bev.

Are you using a sharp needle and not Universal or ball point etc. With my Bernina, I don't have any problems (better knock wood since I'm starting a new batik project) when using a Schmetz 12 jeans 80/12 or a Schmetz Microtex Sharp 80/12. I find that Coats & Clark thread doesn't do well in my machine. I use YLI and Sulky with success.

Brand new needles. I use schmetz universal or quilting needles. I read online about microtex needles. What are they? Or should I ask..how are they different? In any case I'm going out tomorrow and buy a package and give it one last try. I also read that for batiks you should use 40 wt thread on top and 50 wt in the bobbin. Since my quilt is barely 1/10th batik I think I'm better off with equal weight threads. I WILL switch brands though. There's a shop a couple of miles away that doesn't even carry coats and clark. Maybe I'll get my thread and needles there.
Thanks for the needle and thread info!!
bev.

Bev, keep us up to date....I have 2 almost 3 to do soon!Skeat

also make sure that you're using a new needle. sometimes if the needle is blunt, it doesn't catch the bobbin thread correctly. by the way, is the batik prewashed? too late now, but it does help when it's softer! and try a heavier-than-normal thread. always works for me.

Also...don't think it isn't the needle if you try just 1 new one. Yesterday I was having all kinds of trouble (although not on a batik), but I did everything, rethreaded, etc., etc., and new needle..Still problems....then tried different new needle out of the same package...viola'...good to go!

Sometimes brand new needles are not good. Hope you can get it working for you!