I practiced my machine quilting for hours. I finally became confident enough to try it on a twin sized quilt. I practiced one more time before I started and everything looked good. I started quilting. I was about 1/4 the way through, turned the quilt over and the tension was loose underneath! I broke my machine trying to fix the tension. I had to skin the work that I had done. I moved to another machine and began quilting again, checking every so often to make sure the bottom tension was tight. Things went great and I was about 3/4 of the way done and had to change the bobbin. I turned the quilt over and the tension was bad again! Because of the quilt pattern I was using, curly hearts and circles, I had to skin the quilt again!!!!! I am going to have to replace the batting, and mend some small holes caused by my careless use of a seam ripper. My fingers are sore, my back is sore and I am weary. The quilt was supposed to be a gift to be delivered this Monday. I don't want to give it to anyone now. I will never think it will be good enough to give as a present. I am so discouraged right now, I am really down on myself and I need some encouragement.

you will get it in time, practice, practice, practice, just use the quilt to practice on

was reading this thread and found this thread also on the board to read

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-4154-3.htm

It's amazing how a sample can sew up perfectly and the real thing goes to crap and nothing was changed. When I free motion quilt I triple check everything and quilt on a sample for at least 15 minutes before I start quilting on my quilt. Whenever the quilting is going great I write down the tension settings, the size and brand of thread used, the size and brand of needle, and the type and brand of batting I'm using. One small change and the nice quilting can turn ugly next time.


How did you break your machine by adjusting the tension?

after reading the thread that Craftybear suggested, I don't think I broke my machine after all. I took apart the pieces underneath the bobbin and I dropped one of them. When the problem was worse after I put it back together, I assumed that I had broken something. I am going to try all of the suggestions and see what I can do.

Never give up!! :thumbup:

I feel your pain! Quilting is so difficult for some and others just whiz through it. You sure were brave to try designs on your first go. I think that shows you have the confidence and determination needed. And now you have additional practice under your belt. It will get easier.

Sorry you are having so much trouble.

This just reminds me why I will stay with hand quilting while I still can.

Although it may be discouraging, don't give up! When I 1st started quilting I spent about 6 hrs of rip'n to every 1 hr of quilting! 1st tension issues, then tucks in the backing, then misalligned rows... One day you'll be quilt'n and realise it's 'been a while' since you had to rip & you'll be filled w/joy :)

I did the same thing with the new long arm. I practiced through 4 yards of fabric and everything was fine. Loaded up the first quilt and the back was so covered with eyelashes it was positively fuzzy. I learned to do about two inches then stop and check everything.
Stay with it, be patient, check often. It will all come together.

If you are using plastic bobbins, check them very carefully for burrs before dropping them in... If I don't, I get eyelashes and bad stitches. :wink:

This happens to everyone. You are probably much harder on yourself than need be. Finish it up and give it to the person intended for. They aren't going to notice the little things that you do. We all have the tendency to be very down on ourselves when we should think and know that the most important thing that this quilt is going to represent, is your LOVE!!!

BE HAPPY!!!! NO WORRIES!!! :-D :-D

I had this happen to me. I was so frustrated. I found out that a piece of my bobbin carriage was broken when I called Singer to find out why I couldn't keep the tension on my bobbin thread. I had to order a new part and wait two weeks for it to come. Happened to me twice after that.

I finally gave my machine away because it was too hard to quilt with. It was fine for piecing, but couldn't handle the quilting part. (Now I am kicking myself for giving the machine away since it worked fine for regular sewing.)

i really feel your pain. i have just finished rippin a small wall quilt. totally made it horrible. hoping to make it better tonight. It will get better. this was my first real attempt at a quilt. made a baby blanket for ds but it was very simple and the quilting was just squares that are turned to look like diamonds on the corners where the pieces meet.
just keep it going and it will get better and better.

Speed is a dangerous thing. I found that when I moved to fast, I got the tangled web underneath. Don't know if that will help or not, but it did for me.

Just keep on going. I threatened to throw my nieces quilt away, but I got it done and it looked good and she loves it. It is my avatar.

Wow - I never heard of this before. I'm going to go and check all my bobbins!

Think of it this way: Not only did you get the much needed practice on machine quilting, you also got a lot of practice in doing the frog stitch: RIPPIT< RIPPIT. Hope things go better next time.

LSHIPMP! I am going to make a sign that says "Gone Froggin'"

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I am headed downstairs to give it another go. This time, instead of quilting the whole thing, I am going to tack it with widely placed FMQ hearts (and check everyone before I move to the next.) If all else fails, I will tie it but I don't want to.

I just finished quilting my dads quilt. Half way through, as I rolled it forward on the the frame there were the dreaded eyelashes. It was my bobbin. After I changes to another bobbin all was fine. Why???? I have no idea.

Hang in there! I'm sorry you're discouraged right now; I would be too.

But we quilters never give up for long! :)

Bummer. Hope it goes better next time.

That sounds soooooo much like me. I never like what I made for others enough. I always find flaws in it and me and my big mouth always point them out. The recipients of the quilts don't mind at all and don't even see the mistakes in the same light EVEN after being told they are there.

Hang in there. I"m sure it is a wonderful quilt and you have put lots of love and time into it.

HUGS

Were you trying to push yourself? Doesn't sound like it was a very relaxing or enjoyable experience. Don't give up. If at first you don't succeed, try try again.

Skin the quilt???? What is that????

Sometimes it is better to cry 'uncle' and do something else for a bit. You have a few days until you need to finish. Take a deep breath, eat some cookies and milk, take some tylenol. When you feel better, go back and try again. It all takes practice.

You will get plenty of encouragement from all of us. I've learned to check the back often. So many things can affect it - needles, bobbins, our speed, our tiredness. Keep at this. You will get your own system going. Cheers for you for trying!!!!!!!!!!

Aw, hugs! Dont get dicouraged, we ALL make mistakes. BUT your learning from them, and next time you will do GREAT!

Please cheer up, things will work out. Couple years ago I was tying a quilt. Can't go wrong there, jsut tying. Snort!! Sandwiched the quilt, everything looking just right, tied it. I unrolled it to admire a project almost done. Turned it over, Scream! There was a diagonal crease from one corner to the other. Why didn't I catch this before all the tying was done. I didn't even feel it as I passed over those areas. ??? I load up the quilt in the car, tell hubby I'm heading to the library where there are big tables and take this baby apart. He offers to come with me and help. I'm in a bad mood, not safe for anyone to be with me right now. I go alone. Long story short, It took me two more days, but that quilt finally got done and it turned out looking great. I understand where you're coming from but things do work out.

You will get it practice, practice, practice.

Make sure that your quilt is totally supported and not causing a drag on the needle, that causes problems too.
Use a machine quilting needle(90/14) and see if that helps and don't try to sew too fast, go slow around curves too.
I was having all sorts of tension problems with my machine and it was operator error, I'd not gotten the thread through the bobbin case right. (sigh and rip out)
Sharon W. in Texas

How do you check it if it is on the frame? That is my scary moment that I will do the whole quilt and I wont know who bad it is till the end.

I thought this would cheer you up!

:mrgreen: :XD:

I am thrilled with all of the encouragement and the stories of other quilters going through similar frustration. I followed all of the suggestions and am now able to quilt without trouble. I found that turning my thread spool with the thread coming from the front of the spool instead of the back made the most difference. I have no clue why. I have a few eyelashes but I am going to ignore them. I am going to call it my "Damn it" quilt as I have unconsciously said it a hundred times, or so I have been told by my husband. Thank you everyone. As you can probably relate, the quilt was only the straw that broke the camel's back, I am juggling many issues right now. Your support and understanding means more to me than I can say.

glad you are getting it worked out, have fun and we help each other, this is a great sharing quilting board site

Gramma -

I just saw your thread for the first time today. I am one of the many who has had problems quilting. I did a huge practice piece and thought I had all the issues worked out. When I put the real quilt on, well, let's just say I'm glad noone can read my mind.

I'm glad you seem to have gotten past the problem. I have found the members of this board to be unbelievably supportive and helpful. Be sure to post a picture of your finished product.

Darren

I have done that just the other day and I have been quilting for a long time - but something happened and I was just so discouraged too... but it will get better I call my quilt the albatross quilt - the pattern in the book gave you instructions to put the row with the flying geese going one way and when I went to sew the rows together the geese in the example for the whole quilt were flying the other way. I went and put it together anyway thought I would use it for myself in the living room - ran out backing 3/4 of the way through and then I must of hit the tension and it was all loopie on the back side.... I took it out - practiced again looked good - put the quilt back on an low and behold it was loopie on the back again.... So, I feel your pain and fustration but it happens to everyone....

I have had problems like this, also. Glad you found a solution! Great perseverence! Way to go :thumbup:

I had this same problem and after trial and error, lots of ripping out and being frustrated, I realized that my problems were mainly caused by forgetting to drop the presser foot lever when I started FMQing. Now I double check and I have put sticky notes on the front of my machine to remind me. I don't know if this is what is happening to you but it might be of help.

This was on a previous forum..and I've been sewing a long
time, but never did "get" how to fix the tension.


How to take apart and clean the tension assembly on your machines...should work the same way for the vintage machines!

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/Cla...-Assembly.aspx