I have the HQ fusion, and had a lot of tension problem until I discovered I had 5 bobbins that did not spin as freely in the bobbin case as they should have. I use a Towa gauge to set my bobbin tension and keep it around 180 no matter what thread I use. And this does mean adjusting for every thread change.

I added the digital readout for my upper tension too, and now have very little tension issues. The only thread I've had problems with is Connecting Thread Essential Poly - as it likes to jump out from under the spring on the bobbin case. So far it's the only thread I've had that has done that, at least when it does, it's real easy to remove.

I sometimes have to change the thread path as some cottons like to loop more than others, and sometimes it will pull a loop into the tension disk and then I'll get a blip of thread underneath. And once in a great while it will pop the thread right out of the tension disks. I don't go as fast with cotton thread and that seems to help.


So far, the only thread my Fusion really does not like is the Connecting Threads cotton. Though I have not tried them after getting all the other tension issued figured out.

I have found some variegated thread is not constant in diameter, I've read it's due to the dies used, but don't know that for sure.

I always check what type of thread is being used on the LA machines set up for everyone to use at quilt shows. Most of them use 40 wt poly on the large cones. Usually no brand name on the cones. I asked one dealer to put 60 wt cotton thread on the LA and he laughed. Said he didn't need that headache.

I have the digital read out too just got it.. what are the numbers you use for top tension please

Ii want to add - I had to learn how to use the bobbin winder. When I started, I had the tension set too tight and it was actually stretching the thread a bit when winding. I had never used a separate bobbin winder with a tension setting before. I got a good feel for how it pulls using my other machines and set the tension on the winder so it's the same. It was a lot lighter than what I started with.

thread
 

I've used Aurafil and other "premium" brands but they all break on my Kenmore. I'm back to using Coats and Clark All Purpose thread -- with success.

I have an HQ16 and I use Superior So Fine on top as well as the bobbin. When I first got the machine I tried using the Bottom Line thread which is much finer in the bobbin but had tension issues. So Fine is 50wt and doesn't have a sheen and blends very well. Also check your needle size ...most of the time I use a 16 or 18. Batiks are a little more challenging to quilt so go for a finer needle (14) and lastly check for tiny bits of lint in the bobbin area as well as the tension discs. These are the things that worked for me after much trial and frustration. The folks at Handiquilter also have some short You tube videos on tension and cleaning your
machine. Check them out if you have the time and good luck!

Here is a link to the Jamie Wallen Youtube video that helped me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mRhcquZTM

Ruler foot
 

Can you please tell me where you were able to find the ruler foot for your Platinum 16 machine? I asked my dealer about one and he told me the foot that came on the machine was the ruler foot I was to use. I've had quilting rulers slip over the foot and get jammed under the needle.

Every HQ machine has unique tension numbers. My HQ tension runs between 150 and 180. But I set up a machine at someone else's house and it was 320 to 370. So I called HQ and they told me they were all unique, and not to compare them. Wish I knew why they did that.

I had a HQ 16 , now I have a Fusion both for my machine took any thread I used . I do like Glide and Omni . Tension
can play a roll to . Good luck :eek: