BellaBoo - http://youtu.be/oaZAxXXOpAo

As to the issues of the tension setting jumping around, there's another thread here somewhere that addresses that. Littledentist found out that the presser foot has to be down in order to set the tension and have it stay. To be honest, I've not changed my top tension in quite a while and can't remember if the presser foot was up or down when I did it, but hopefully this information will help someone else. :)

I am having issues with the machine skipping stitches when I am free motion quilting on the quilt frame it does fine when I am just sewing or piecing on it which is so frustrating. The only time I have any problem is when it is on the quilt frame. Other than that I love the machine. Any suggestions?

What size needle are you using? I found I had to go to a size 16 or 18 when quilting on my 1500 to avoid skipped stitches.

Ok I think I am using like 12s so I will try that and see if that helps. Thank you so much

Be very sure you use the solid bobbins in this machine. I made the mistake of using some I had that fit but had holes in the rim. The auto thread cutter does not like holes. It locked the machine up solid. It still hasn't made sense to me but it took two repairs to convince me not do use the holy bobbins. LOL

I want to love this machine and I cannot afford to buy a different one. I can pice and the stitches are fine but when I go to machine quilt it will start out with 20 or 30 good stitches and then skip a whole section. I have switched thread types and made sure same thread in upper and lower. I have switched needles out several times. I will try tomorrow to buy the titanium 90/14 as was suggested but then someone else said they go to a 16 or 18. I truly wish this company would have a dvd or better yet a download that would explain the entire machine and how to use it, which types of thread and weights of thread work best and the needles. I feel as if I have to spend a fortune in time and money just to figure it out.
i have not had a problem with the thread cutter and not too much with the needle threader but make sure that your needle is completely up as far as it will go or the threader will not be in the right place.

I've had this machine 20+ years. About 6 yrs ago I decided a new one was in order. It works great as well. Most issues are solved by cleaning, new needle and rethreading. I don't worry about top & bottom thread matching, in fact I've used 30 wt on top and 6 wt on bottom with no problem.

With that said, your problems are not "in your head" nor is it your fault. They can be fixed (the store may need further training) or the machine can be replaced if the store refusses to fix them. Also, call the manufacturer, they don't want to loose unhappy customers

1) Join the Yahoo group and the FB group. Lots of support and help there. The FB group has files including a service manual.

2) I had to use a 16 or 18 needle when quilting on my Brother 1500. Some information you might be interested in:

https://storage.googleapis.com/vw-su...ence-guide.pdf
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...ipped-stitches
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...-thread-weight
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...e-right-needle
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...piecing-thread

I solved the thread cutter use unthreading the needle by not threading the three hole bar at the top of the machine. I use the second hole as a thread guide. When I did take it in to get the reverse lever repaired, the guy adjusted the thread cutter to leave a longer tail. Said it was easy to do. Do not use a bobbin with holes in the rim. I jammed my Brother twice with a loud grinding noice before I found out not use other bobbins because they were the same size. Use the no hole rim ones that came with the machine. The holes in the bobbin really does a number when the thread cutter happens to find the opening. A Juki tech told me about the bobbins. I haven't had it jam up again. I have since bought a Juki, love the Brother and Juki.