Using 30 weight thread for free motion in a DSM?
 

I have a Pfaff Performance 5 and I want to FMQ with 30w thread so that the quilting design will be very pronounced. Have any of you done this? If so what size needle did you use and what tension setting worked for you. My machine will do it with a top stitch 14 needle and tension set at .6 and it looks pretty good, but my machine makes sort of a clacking sound instead of a smooth one.

What if you just decrease the tension? You may want to delint your machine also.

I have decrease the tension from 4.6 to.6. I will clean the lint out to see if that helps. Thanks, tessagin for your suggestions.

Usually I was taught to put heavier thread in the bobbin and quilt from the back of the quilt. I never have used 30 weight thread, usually stick to 40 weight. This might not work with your quilt since no photo was posted. Good Luck.

Thanks,Maniacquilter2. I may not be able to use the 30wt.

A friend of mine wanted the same thing you did, a very pronounced quilting design. She went over her quilting pattern twice. It worked and was a beautiful quilt.

Since you have a Pfaff - Pfaff put out an embroidery design CD for 30 weight thread. You might see what it required to use 30 wt for embroidery on a Pfaff site or forum. Even dealer might know. Consider any special settings even if designs were made for a 2170. Embroidery is usually very high speed so any tension or needle settings might apply.

Here is one article for a mug rug with 30 wt thread:
7d14fd2a-733a-48e1-9d99-39d06ca2ab1c-1.pdf

To use - copy and paste into search bar or search for Needle Keeper Pfaff

Weezy rider, I read the article and I feel reassured that the needle and thread size match. However, I'm not using and embroidery machine. Today, I put 40wt in the bobbin and that worked better and set the tension on 2 and that seems to give me the best stitch so far. The machine sounds smoother now. I'm not finished with experimenting yet, but I do feel more hopeful. Carol Ann Waugh who teaches Stupendous Stitching on Craftsy says she even puts 60 and 50 weight in her bobbin when she using heavier thread on top. So I'll try that out tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to help me.