Stressed over machine problems! Help!
 

Anyone have any suggestions? I have three projects to finish quilting before Monday, and my machine has decided to start acting up. It started breaking thread, then skipping stitches. I have totally re-threaded the machine, cleaned everything I can clean, and replaced the needle twice with new needles. I am free-motion quilting 100% cotton top and backing and Hobbs 80-20 batting. Sulky 100% cotton thread. ( I have used 2+ spools of the same thread on this quilt already.) Suggestions please!!!!

Not sure what kind of machine you have, but if it is a computerized machine you might try unplugging it and plugging it back in. That resets the computer and sometimes will fix the problem. Hope this helps.

Does your machine take oil? Are you pulling your thread forward when you pull if off? I clip the thread on top and pull if forward. It makes a difference to your tension discs. It really sound that your tension is off. Ae you using top stitch needles? Good luck

My machine gets picky with bobbin thread...some of my bobbin threads just fight with the upper thread.

Mine will act up like this sometimes as well. I shut it of and give it a couple minutes to take a break and reset. Seems to work for me.

Have you tried using a different bobbin? I've got one that I now use to mark my stack (when I'm chain piecing) because every time I try to use it in my machine, I get repeated thread breaks. And as hard as I've looked I can't find what it is that makes this one not work while the identical ones do work.

I hope you can find an easy solution.

K

Sounds like tension issue to me. It's so frustrating when you can't figure out what the problem is. I've had that happen a few times and been ready to throw the sewing machine!

i hope you figure it out. i'm, having issues also, goiing to take mine to the doc in the morning.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Off to try them and see what happens. Will let you know!

You've not mentioned cleaning out the bobbin area. Have you done so? FMQ will clog the bobbin area with lint and cause problems if not cleaned out frequently.

If you go to Superior threads web site they talk about this in their education section and have a video. They also recommend cleaning the bobbin case where the thread runs through with a fine pin. Apparently even a small amount of lint in this area can lead to tension problems, and thus thread breakage.

My machine is in the shop getting fixed; and my spare one did the same. I ran the thread toward the back of the tension discs, and now don't have any problems. When I run the thread through the front of the tension discs, I have problems similar to yours.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I seem to have got it running sweet as new. I let her take a nap for about an hour and replaced the bobbin. I had just picked up some new bobbins, so that may have been the problem. I always clean the bobbin area every time I change the bobbin. My other needles may be good after all, so I will try them out on some practice quilting after I finish the things I am working on right now. I want to thank everyone for the suggestions.

I would do what deb says shut it off let it set a few minutes then start fresh with the threading and inserting the bobbin.

I am so glad your machine is working now. Happy quilting!

Ditto. I hope the frustrations are behind you.

I was having that problem & it turned out to be tension & I had to adjust the top tension tigher & nothing has been wrong since.

Don't forget to put a drop of oil down in the bobbin area. Check your book, it should show you where it goes, and be sure your feed dogs are down.