Total newbie needing advice
 

Okay, here goes...I'm a newbie...not sure if this is the right spot for this thread.....can you tell I'm blushing madly already???
So I used to do hand quilting years ago and now I'm having fun trying to do machine quilting and free motion stitching. Only problem is that my machine is a 25 year old Janome. Now, using the walking foot and doing straight stitching on my practice quilts is just fine but oh dear, I am in a world of pain with my darning foot and trying to do free motion stuff. For some reason I just can't stop getting needle thread showing through on my backing no matter how I change my tension and presser foot pressure. I know a lot of my problem is "me" as a newbie but, is it possible that my little old machine is not helping me all that much? Am I solely to blame? What would be a good entry level machine for me to purchase to continue doing free motion stitching? So far I haven't minded mucking up my practice quilts but now I am keen to "do' a lovely big quilt and I want to "get it right". It's tricky getting myself to any classes as I work yucky hours so am basically "winging it" with the help of internet tutorials. Any advice would be great and please accept my apology if I have posted in the wrong spot or sound like a real newbie twit :o

Welcome to the quilting board! My first question would be, when did you last have the machine in for service? Many an old machine will work just fine, if it's properly tuned, cleaned and adjusted. I would start with that.

You can successfully fmq with any machine as long is you have the right tools. You say you are changing the pressure on the darning foot. You shold not have to change this pressure if using the darning foot. Change the needle and hange the thread. Be sure the feed dogs are dropped or covered (even tho some say this is not necessary). Also be sure you are moving the fabric at an even pace. Since it is difficult for you to get to classes, you might consider a short private lesson to help you get tarted. The price may pay dividends in improving your skills.

I also sugget since you say you have tried to adjust tension etc.....go back and set the machine for regular sewing and try and then start over in your adjustments It may be that something has become unblanced in your trying these things Also be sure you have the same weight thread on bottom and top and definitely a new neede that corresponds to your the size of your needle.

Frustrating, isn't it. I worked at tension for an entire day and it is finally correct. Sounds like your bobbin tensin might be a little too tight. However, my first suggestion to you is: Put in a new needle. Sometimes if they are a little dull, and that seems to make weird things happen. My machine performs best FMQ if I use jeans needles (size 16).

You probably have some new needles on hand, but if you don't have a jeans needle, replace with a new needle -- the biggest you have, and see if that helps a little.

amh

if you decide to get a new machine for fmq. i recommend the 1600p by
janome it does a fantastic job.

It is mostly practice, practice and more practice and not all on the machine. I know that sounds crazy but and lot of FMQ is muscle memory. So, if you practice drawing a design on paper or any thing that you can see (I say this because I used to have a micro-fiber rocking chair with big arms, perfect for drawing with my finger) and practice one design at a time along with practicing on your machine you will get good. Start by writing you name with your machine, first name, last name, then put a heart in the middle, then maybe add a star at the end or maybe a grapevine. It will come just stick with it. If you are having your thread show mostly on the curves you are probably moving your hands faster than the machine, just try to slow down a bit on the curves. Good luck, you can do it. Hugs.

I agree with Hollice ... the first thing you need to do is set the tension back to normal and do some straight stitches with a regular presser foot on the machine - just using fabric (no batting) - using regular 50wt cotton thread and the appropriate size needle. If you are unable to get the tension back then your machine may need servicing.

Oh ... did you change the top tension only or did you also attempt to change the bobbin tension?

If you also changed the bobbin tension you will have to get that back to normal as well. Generally speaking, I never change my bobbin tension. Under normal circumstances, it's not necessary.

Once you get the machine back to running a nice smooth and even straight stitch seam with 50wt thread you can start over again.

soo much good advice --welcome from a fellow aussie [well in truth ex pom]

the trick to making sure your machine is in correct tension balance is to sew a line on the bias of fabric and then gently pull the fabric holding ends of stitching. If the tension is in correct balance then the stitching should not break. If one side breaks then that is the tension that is too tight and needs to be adjusted . I do not adjust my bobbing tension. but only the top. Also I have found that I do not need to adjust the tension when FMQ . I use invisible thread on the top and thread matching backing on bobbin UNLESS the bobbin thread is too dark for the top and few of the stitchs show thru. EG- black thread shows thru on gold top.

I agree with the bobbin tension! That is usually my problem area!

Welcome to the board. I would finish this quilt with the walking foot straight lines.
Then make small sandwiches 20 inches roughly. Now this could be fabric you like
And will join them into a quilt or keep as sample as.just practise. Remember all those handwriting
Lessons at school , or learning to drive and co- ordinations the foot hand ye etc. we have all
Spent ages practising. Some people just using paper and with a very upright pencil practise the movement
Of the material under the needle. You may find it is not the machine but that you are just changing tensionunnecessaryil. Keep going it is fun but not on your precious quilt.
Ps we have all had to undo

I agree with all this good advice. If you DO decide to get it serviced, ask the technician to show you how to adjust the bobbin tension. I thought I knew how, but when I had my long arm serviced, the tech showed me I was not turning the adjusting screw far enough. I still don't do too much at a time, but I am more confident now.

I can't help with your tension problem, but wanted to tell you that NO question is a dumb question & we all had to begin learning at some point. We didn't just wake up one day & know how to quilt. I am a newbie also, & I ask a lot of questions. That's how we learn & it is such a blessing to have access to the bountiful knowledge of all of these wonderful people on this QB. I couldn't do it with out their help. I would say you were a newbie twit IF you didn't use the resources that were available to you. So, no you are not a newbie twit, but, one smart lady. Hang it there!

My DSM is very simple so no bobbin tension adjustment. I noticed also little dots of top thread showing on the back. I read a few posts on the board and found out that those little dots of thread generally disappear once the quilt is washed. Just to make it safer, I try to use the same color thread for both the bobbin and the top thread. Good luck!

I have a Singer Golden Touch & Sew. In order to do "darning", according to the manual, I have to use an embroidery hoop & have my cloth very tight. It would only make birds nests without this hoop. There is no mention of FMQ in the manual. That being said, I have not used this Singer machine for any real FMQ because I have a long arm.

Have you read your manual? If it's missing, you might could go to the manufacturers website & look under the "Support" tab for a copy. Perhaps your machine is Picky & requires extra adjustment or apparatus to do the FMQ correctly.

Allthe advice given is right on!!! Welcome to the board from Southern CA!!!!!

Thanks so much everyone...have noted all suggestions and will dutifully try them out.

I'm having a sewing afternoon today so will check my tensions the way you suggested bigsister and see how I go. Yes Fay, the machine was serviced not so long ago and has been sewing fine so I suspect it is my technique and my mucking around with the tension perhaps. Nice to know that the little Janome 360 can possibly manage it if only I can get things right! Hmmm but the lure of a new machine is tempting! Hadn't thought about a private lesson Holice...excellent idea, I'll certainly look into that in the New Year!

Oddly, and I forgot to mention this in my previous post, when I try to do FMQ on a practice swatch the stitching comes out a lot better....could it be that it is just my inexperience in moving the weight/bulk of the quilt that is contributing to the crappy stitching on the back?

I agree with Holice. You can FAQ with any machine. Welcome from NE Ohio, USA.

My suggestion is to take yourself off to Coles or Woolworths and get some large (giant or supersize) big anyway Chux wipe cloths (used as temporary dishcloths). Pin three together (like a sandwich) and put into practise what the other quilters have suggestsed with all their ideas, and free motion quilt them. Do this until the packet is empty and when finished overlock around the edges. They will be thick strong dishcloths that will last a year or two and you will have become "Miss Practise Makes Perfect".

Oh my, I hope you don't go out and buy a new machine just to free motion on!!! You don't need to!! It really is all practice. You can even free motion on a TREADLE and people on this board do!

I agree with those who say it sounds like a tension issue. What thread are you using? I tend to use a REALLY high tension with cotton threads and a really low tension with polyester threads. Just do a LOT of playing. Seriously - get a test sandwich put together and start with your tension at 1. Go all the way up the dial slowly and look for improvement on the back AND front as you go. It's like playing "hot and cold". Once you find that magic spot you're good to go! You can pretty much count on being able to turn your tension to that number whenever you are using that particular combination of fabric/batt/thread/needle.

OH YES, what needle are you using too? THIS is huge! People don't often realize what a BIG difference needles make. If you're using 40wt or 50wt cotton you want something like a 90/12 sharp - if you're using a 30wt or 40wt poly you're going to want something like a 70/10 sharp. The difference between the two is when you're using the wrong needle you'll get skippet stitches and thread breaks.

Good luck!!! :)

Welcome to the board! I'm sure you'll find your way around with all this good advice.
Bobbin tension is a tricky thing. Many people will NEVER touch that little screw on the bobbin case. But it's not so hard to find out if there is a problem there.
Take your bobbin case out with a bobbin of thread in it. hold it up by the thread. With a little jerk, the bobbin should lower a little and then stop. If it won't lower at all with a small jerk, then the screw is too tight. Loosen it just a little, not an eighth of a turn. If it lowers and won't stop, the screw if too loose. Tighten it just a little and try again. Sometimes the tiniest amount of turning that screw will make a big difference. Keep working until you can hang onto the thread, give a little jerk and the bobbin lowers a few inches and stops. Then it's perfect.

Along with getting your machine "tuned", make sure the top and bottom threads (100% cotton) are from the same spool of thread. My 11 year old Janome works with any thread, but my husky 857Q only works with 100% cotton.
Let us know how you progress.

I just wanted to tell you that all this advice is right on and I can't add anymore to it. And NEVER be afraid to ask a question here! Everyone on this board is so helpful!

You should check Leah Day's class on Craftsy - Free Motion Quilting A Sampler - or at least her website-FreeMotionProject.com. She is great at FM quilting and her class was very informative and fun. You can also see some of her designs on youtube - just search for Leah Day. good luck and your older machine can handle it just fine!!

Don't ever be embarrassed to ask a question, only to remain in ignorance.....welcome to QB, the place to find good ideas and great people.

I'm no expert, but have FMQ both on my cheapie Brother from Wallyworld and my fancy Elna. Besides dropping the feeddogs, and using a darning foot, the only thing I do with tension is loosen the top stitch (thread) just a tad so it doesn't pull on the curves. several of the comments already given are important--new needle, clean machine (a tiny ball of lint can cause problems with the bobbin), and ALWAYS bring the bobbin thread up to the top of the fabric before you start the FMQ! Other than that practice,practice, practice! And drawing out your designs on whiteboard or paper really does help get that muscle memory. Check out some of the tutorials on the web for some ideas beyond stippling, too.

Thanks everyone. Yes, I always use a new needle for most garment projects and did same when doing the quilting. I used a 90/14 with 100% cotton: same spool for needle and bobbin. I did the jiggly thing with the bobbin and it didn't move at all so I loosened the screw titch by titch until I had the bobbin dropping just an inch or so. Made quite a difference when I sewed some practice swatches (just material pieces, no batting)...much happier with the stitches. I then did as you suggested and "went up and down" my needle tension dial and found the spot where I was most happy with the result. Then, I put my presser foot pressure back to its normal setting. Next, I made some practice swatches with some leftover batting, on with the darning foot and down with the dogs and off I went......
Practice swatches weren't too bad for a beginner...quite happy with them. So now that I have the Janome back to "normal" I figure any further problems I have are going to be "me" not the machine. I'm thinking that perhaps I should buy a really cheap poly filled quilt from Kmart or such and practice FMQ on that? That way I'm getting used to moving bulk and weight around?? This could be the last piece in the puzzle??
And no, I wouldn't buy a new machine just for FM stuff......just thought I would spoil myself next time my better half buys another motorbike!!

Welcome from another Aussie. If I spend some time doing a practice piece and use the man on a galloping horse technique I'm okay but it won't win me any prizes. I usually only do stippling on small projects.

I was so happy I was able to give directions good enough to help someone. :o
I've been fixing my bobbin case tension for years, mainly because I sometimes do bobbin work. I put light weight yarn on the bobbin and invisible thread on the top, so the bobbin tension needs to be changed for that, and then put back.

Lots of great advice here! Good luck finding the solution. Don't get frustrated, just keep at it, and you'll find what works for your machine.

As Holice first suggested:

Make sure your feed dogs are lowered/dropped or covered.

On my machine (a Pfaff 1471 - late 1980s machine), the instruction manual says for darning to lower the presser foot only 'half-way' for darning/FMQ. There is a 'stop' that I seldom use, but it is there - perhaps your machine also has the same feature?

Do you still have the operating instructions that came with your machine? There may be a section called "darning" that might give you suggestions on how to set up the machine.

Ok I am going to jump in here with another idea. Read this thread here on the board. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ng-t35165.html
Could it be tufts of batting showing through on the back of your quilt and not the tension. Also my sewing machine man years ago showed me the drop test with the bobbin but he showed not to have it drop over a quarter inch at a time. I hope this helps you some.

- I agree with Joset, I am also new at quilting I started January 2012, I have a Janome 1600P and I love it, I have it on my 10' foot quilting frame and it does an awesome job and is super fast and easy to figure out since I am no awesome person at figuring out how to run sewing machines. I too have a mega old sewing machine that I do ALL my piecing on which is an old old ALCO that my mom gave me...I am 27 yrs old and have fallen in love with quilting...I use my Janome for doing all my quilting and fooling around with new designs after I have finished my tops... sometimes in the bobbin case there gets lint in there that can cause thread issues, I use a makup brush to clean it out a bit and seems to help some...tension is always tricky to get perfect and sometimes it doesnt get perfect but after one wash the threads pull eachother to the center and it looks just fine ...best of luck and have fun!

In my humble opinion all you need to do is lots of practice. At times I have to do unsewing also. I have lots of experience but, sometimes it would be impossible to tell it.
Welcome from Missouri.

This is my machine too, and I've been having fun doing FMQ with it. I did have that same thread problem, intermittently, and in addition to what the other gals are saying, check to see that you are not inadvertantly lifting the pressure foot with your knee as you are sewing. For some reason I was doing that, and it really messes up the thread tension. As soon as I released my knee to a relaxed position not on the knee lever, my tension was restored. Happy sewing!

Thanks everyone...all suggestions added to my little note book. Have just finished sewing some Christmas print dresses for my granddaughter and the machine is sewing "a treat" with lovely stitches and tension. So all is back to normal and the Janome it would seem, has forgiven me! Will start piecing my next quilt top in the New Year when my fabric arrives (man, I love Etsy!) and then it is "back on the learning curve" horse! In the meantime I am going to buy a really cheap quilt from KMart and put all your suggestions into practice so when I am ready to start on my quilt I will be all "practised and sorted". I think I am going to have to re-think my sewing table set-up as well and perhaps get my OH to "rig up" a nice big extension for me. There's a nice little holiday project for him!!!! Thankyou all so much....what lovely support this site gives...and Merry Christmas to everyone too!

Point taken Dogwoodquilter........yeah, my bobbin case doesn't really drop a "whole inch or so"...just had another look and I may have got my "drop measurement/guess" slightly wrong....never was too good at judging distances!!!