Hi Fran!

No. it's a thick tape that you put on the plate by the needle if your markings aren't clear enough. It's called Qtools Sewing Edge. It's sticky but you can move to another measure like from 1/4" to 5/8". The markings on my machine aren't very clear and they're not where I need them to make sure I'm on the mark. (I hope I'm exlaining this well enough!)

Thanks for all of the great responses. So do they just help with free motion quilting or do they provide the same benefit for regular quilt piece sewing?

Thank you for the information, and God bless.

They are called Bobbin Genies and have been available for several years. I've seen them in the better quilt stores. By better I mean the shops that keep up with what's new and at least knows what you are asking for. One shop owner laughed in my face when I asked and explained what they were. I marched right back there the next day and handed her dozens of print outs from the best quilt shops that sold them. The reviews of quilters that used them, the endorsement of prize winning quilters that used them and a copy of my order form that I ordered over $250 of sewing notions, books, thread, precuts, and Bobbin Genies-- not from her store.

I need to try those. Time to order some.

I want to get some...I do a lot of machine embroidery and free-motion quilting.

I use bobbin genes in my bernina and my longarm..they do the trick!

I bought them from a teacher at a quilt show and have been using them ever since. I think they do make a difference and they last a long ,long, time.

Well, here's what I learned. Yes, a lot of people use them. However, I found out that I didn't need them as I all had to do was adjust the inner spring inside the bobbin case. Most people don't realize there is an adjustment for that - but it's a tinier screw (mine is located on the front side of the bobbin case). It actually pushes the spring out a little when turned, which puts more pressure on the bobbin, stopping the backlash. That's all the bobbin genies do.

Before I figured that secret out, I purchased a 1" whole punch from the scrapbooking store, punched out parchment paper circles, and then used a regular hole punch to punch the center hole. I then put several in a shot glass with some machine oil. When I used one, I would pull the next oil soaked one up on the edge with tweezers and let it sit there, draining, then when ready, put it in my bobbin case. Worked like a charm!

Once I discovered how to adjust the bobbin, I don't use or buy anything anymore. Most people never know you can adjust the bobbin springs, as it's apparently a well-guarded secret. I sure didn't know - just figured it out by accident! But now, that's what I do. Once you get it right, you never have a problem with backlash again. And if you don't have a problem today, then yours is already adjusted perfectly.

Just works for me :)

I didn't know that. I will check it out as soon as I can focus my eyes (cataract surgery - need adjustments on my glasses!).