Thread weight question
 

What weight thread do you use for FMQ on a domestic machine? I struggled through a mess this afternoon, trying to FMQ. My machine kept skipping stitches, and I tried everything I knew to fix it: change the needle, clean lint out from under the faceplate, check to see when I last had my machine serviced. I also noticed that no matter how high I set the upper thread tension, the bottom thread was sloppy. Finally I changed from a 40 weight to a 50 weight thread. Bingo. I was able to reset the upper tension down to a sensible number, the tension on top of the quilt and below straightened out, and my machine quit skipping stitches. I have several cones of 40 weight, but it looks like I'm going to have to stick with 50 weight from now on.

Been a long time since I did FMQ this way, since I got my longarm, but I remember having a long learning curve trying to get the tension right. I tried lots of different threads, and had luck with most ... eventually :)

Sounds like you found something that works for you, so I'd go with it. I do recall having to play with the tension on my bobbin, not just the top tension. And, you're putting your feed dogs down, I assume?

Yes, the feed dogs are down. While I'm here, I'd like to also ask if Mettler Metrosene is the same as Mettler 100% cotton silk finish thread. I realize they're two different threads made by the same company, but I wonder if the cotton silk finish would work as well as Metrosene, which has been fabulous for me.

When you say you changed the needle, did you go to a larger needle?

50 wt would likely work okay with an 80/12 needle, but 40 wt should be a 90/14 or larger.

Metrosene is polyester and Silk Finish is cotton. I find that polyester behaves better for free-motion quilting, than cotton does. Poly has more stretch and is more flexible. I prefer a 50 wt for free-motion.

I do FMQ on my Brother PQ 1500. It is not fussy about thread. I use all kinds even coats and Clark and serger thread. I usually use. Microtex needle or a top stitch needle in a 16. Sometimes I remember to drop feed dogs.

My old machine had no problems with the 40 wt but my Sapphire prefers the 50 wt….no matter the settings or needles. No problem, I use the 40 wt for hand quilting.

I think you find out eventually what works best for you and your machine -- and you stick to it! Give in to the machine and don't try and make it do things it doesn't want to do.

With my current configuration of machines, I'm using So Fine poly 50 for everything... piecing, top and bobbin, quilting... I've been quite happy and able to do everything I want to do. I bought a huge lot of it from an auction, probably at least 10 years worth of thread or more.

I am (still) looking for a new main machine. Pretty close now to what I want and I think the tax return is going to pay for it... Still don't have the long arm set up. I am hoping that I can continue using my thread, but I am prepared to try other weights and brands and fibers and etc.

And not just to a larger needle ... also what type of a needle are you using for FMQ on DSM?

Even for straight line quilting, I switch needle types.
My go-to is an embroidery needle ... but not my one and only for machine quilting.