I have a Brother SQ9000. My tension is set on 4, new needle, machine has been cleaned. I am using essential thread from Connecting Threads. My thread keeps breaking and is driving me crazy. Two questions: Should I lower the tension to maybe 3 and has anyone ever used an embroidery needle for fmq....suggestions?

Connecting Threads thread broke nonstop on my Bernina 820. Once I changed to Aurafill thread, my problems went away!

It sure can't hurt to try a larger size needle or one with a larger eye :D:D:D

I would also change thread. My Bailey did not like connecting threads, my singer loves it but I don't FMQ with my singer. Good luck.

There you go :-) I also FMQ with my Old Pfaff 230 and Essential thread from Connecting thread and it was breaking all the time also here. I think a bigger eyed needle would do the trick I found out there are lunps in the thread.
Next quilt I will be trying bigger needle and if still having problem than it's me or changing thread

i will start with saying i love thread from connecting threads and use alot of it...but every now and then i start using one that will not be used...breaking- tension problems- all kinds of issues= i try everything else first---then i switch to a different cone (or spool) and the problems go away...
no idea why but our machines do seem to have (minds of their own) and sometimes they just will not use a certain thread.
i have found it more of a problem with different colors- (is that weird or what?)
as in a bought a whole collection of essential threads - use one it's wonderful...switch to a different color- breaking every 2"...frustraition- aggrivation---finally switch thread again- no more problems---
when i find the thread is a problem while quilting i can still use it without problem for piecing---
thread is as (personable) as our machines maybe...
anyhow= switch thread i bet your troubles go away...but don't give up on that thread- it may work just fine on the next project.

I have found that the thread breaks when I am moving the quilt faster than the speed I'm sewing. I either need to slow down on the movement of put the pedal to the metal more. Another synptom of this is that you get eyelashes on the back, especially around curves. I use Connecting Threads Essentials & KIng Tut by Superior Threads. No difference in my results if I'm sewing at the correct speed for the movment.

Double post!

Ooops, triple post

absolutely beautiful avatar! would love to see whole quilt :roll:

dar

A lot of people swear by CT, but my friend had nothing but problems with it breaking on her Viking. I would switch thread.

I was trying to use up thread because I started to use nothing but Kig Tut and Masterpiece. I had so much breaking. I was so frustrated. Change the thread.

I have had good luck with a metallic (metallica) needle. this needle has a hole designed so that it will not shread metallic thread. Worked well when I was FMQing. I use Connecting threads in all my Vikings & Tin Lizzie. Having said that, you can always get a bad spool and some machines are fussier than others. It pays to try different threads!