What I learned yesterday
 

Yesterday I spent about 3 hours trying to quilt ONE row of a quilt - end to end patter on my long arm. I actually picked it out about 1/3 of the way across 3 times. Crazy.

I couldn't figure out why it wasn't quilting nicely any more. The first two rows quilted very smoothly, then I changed the bobbin. I tried everything i could think of to get it to work. After the 3rd 'pick out', I finally questioned the bobbin itself.

It was wound correctly. So I pinched it between my thumbnail and pointer finger nails and unwound some thread. That was the key - as the thread unwound from the bobbin, the bobbin wobbled! I did the same thing with another bobbin - no wobble. After carefully examining the bad bobbin again, I realized that the bobbin was slightly bent inward on one side. If I hadn't done the unwinding thing, I would never have seen it!

Inserted another bobbin and the third row quilted correctly! I was so relieved!

I have been told that this is one problem that the TOWA gauge will find. I wonder how the bobbin got bent. Was it a manufacturing defect, or had you used it successfully before?

How frustrating for you. My LA dealer told me that bobbins can bend just by being dropped on the floor and, even if you can't see it, a slight bend can really mess up your stitching.

thanks for sharing your valuable experience

Thanks for the insight. Not sure I would have thought of that.

Yayyy!!! You have to keep looking. I have decided that the first place I have to look when there is a problem is the bobbin. That usually solves the issue.

So glad you figured out the problem. Not sure I would have thought of that. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. We all need to share our knowledge, for sure!

Thanks for sharing. I would never have unwound the bobbin like that. I will definatly add that trick to my trouble shooting list!
-Amy

thanks for the heads up.

I think it fell on the floor and was stepped on. My hands don't work as well as they used to!

I was desperate!

I occasionally will roll my bobbin on the desk next to my bobbin winder to see if it rolls evenly before I put it on to fill. There's nothing worse than having to frog stitches. Had this problem not too long ago as I kept getting eyelashes on the back side. After frogging a number of times I decided too to change bobbins. I took the bad bobbin back to the bobbin winder and wound the thread onto another bobbin so not to waste the thread. I tossed the bobbin out so I wouldn't get it mixed up with the good ones. I don't use the Towa gauge anymore since watching Jamie Wallen's video on his way of checking the tension. It seems to work on my Innova so why what works?

Just a thought; you might want to invest in a magnifying glass with a light. Many years ago I thought about becoming an aesthetician but after a couple facials, I changed my mind. Anyway my point is I keep my magnifying glass w/light handy. Helps in finding issues with materials and tools and machines. I use it when I clean my machines. There are handheld for sale. Fairly inexpensive!

Thanks for the insight, need to remember that.

I do not have a long arm, but I'll keep this in mind if I have a problem on my Janome. Thanks.

One piece of advice - THROW IT OUT NOW! Into your main trash can - not one in your sewing room that you will maybe pull it out of thinking it fell in there. Ask me how I know

Okay I don't have a LA but I plan on renting one this fall . First I need to get certified. So this is good information. Thanks for sharing