What am I doing wrong?
 

I keep trying to FMQ on my Singer Futura II Model 920 machine. I covered the feed dogs, dropped the presser foot (foot removed), played with the tension... yet... the thread does NOT pull up and catch the bobbin. What am I doing wrong?

If I use my even feed foot and keep the dogs up, I can sort of fmq, but it's not the same. Perhaps that's what I'm left with though. Sigh.

I would try putting in a new needle and/or rethreading your machine and see if that helps...hope so!

I haven't tried this, but I have friends that leave the feed dogs up and put their stitch length to "0", might be worth a shot.

My thoughts, too!

i would double check that the presser foot is down...it is easy to miss with the foot off... and the symptoms really sound like that... and bjbaxter's idea sounded like a good idea to try...

Put in a new needle, re-thread, and also check that your bobbin is in correctly....good luck!

I have not heard of taking off the foot. I leave mine on. I suggest retheading and making sure your bobbin is seated right. Ask me how I know!

I don't think it would work without a darning foot on. I think the machine needs one to complete the stitch?

You need some thing to hold the fabric down for the thread to catch. Are you using a darning or other style hopping foot? You could also try using a spring needle instead of a foot to push the fabric down at just the right time.

I could only ever get my tension right on my Brother with the feed dogs up. You should still be able to FMQ.