Why is my Babylock struggling going over thick seams?
 

I am sewing rows together of a hexegon quilt so at the intersection, there is quite a bit of fabric (I did press the seams open when piecing the triangles but it still results in essentially double the amount of fabric at a regular intersection).

My Babylock Espire all but came to a jammed stop at the thickest part of the seam intersection. This happened over and over again on the first two rows I was sewing. I would have to raise and lower the presser foot a few times and essentially </SPAN></SPAN>pull the fabric through to get past the intersection. I was really, really dreading if I would have to rip out any seams as there were probably over 20 stitches per inch over the intersection areas.

Afterwards, I took off my needle plate and vacuumed the feed dog and lower area. There was a fair amount of link and fuzz down there. However, it didn't really help the performance. Should I be changing the presser foot pressure (I think it is on the normal setting of 4) or making other adjustments?

This seems like a real performance failure as I'm only using very moderate weight cotton fabric and like I said, I did press the seams open.

I'm not sure, my espire never had that problem when I had her. Maybe contact your dealer to seen if they can offer any suggestions on something you can do at home. The espire is a workhorse and should be able to handle thick seams so it might be something specific to your machine.

There was a tip on the board about getting one of those hammers that were either rubber or plastic coated. I use it to pound thick seams and it seems to work.

Do you have a micro sharp, denim, or embroidery needle in the machine? Maybe the point is not sharp enough, or an older needle. I had problems one time with a certain fabric. I thought it might be the sizing on it (I didn't prewash). Changing the needle to a sharper point helped.

Try a 90/100 Topstitch titanium machine needle. I've sewn through denim seams with no problem.

I checked my needle package and I am using a Microtex (sharp) 80/12. I just changed it a few weeks ago so it should still be good.

I don't know for sure what the problem is because I have a baby lock ellure and have never had that problem. I do know that one of the attachments is a foot that has a spring so that is can adapt to thicker fabric. I don't know if you have one of these but if you do, try it. Good luck.

I found with my featherweight that it was the thickness of the seam hanging up under the walking foot that was the problem, not the machine itself. Also changing to a fresh needle did help too.

One of these can help. Can be used with any machine. The other name is Jean-a-ma-jig. I've had to use it with a Pfaff with IDT!

http://www.sewforless.com/item/The_Hump_Jumper/5367/c43

Dramarote is right on! Please read the manual in regards to the spring pressure foot. I can't remember the letter on the foot. It is made to sew over thick seams but it can be a little tricky to follow the steps. The manual will explain it well. Your quilt is a true piece of art! Good luck!

Any regular hammer will work on thick seams as well... just pound it a bit and it will sew easier! not sure if that is the issues, but if it is this might help! :)

I had a problem with my Espire when I was sewing a fleece robe. The belt carriers were loops. The fleece was very thick where the loops were set into the seam. The machine kept 'leaping' over the loop ends in the seam. I finally hand stitched the loops in place.
I haven't researched why this happened yet but know with the next fleece robe I make I will apply the carriers to the surface of the seam line instead of inserting them into the seam.

I don't see any way of adjusting the presser foot pressure. I will look into using the special foot mentioned but wonder if it will work on fleece.

I've shortened some corduroy pants and sewed fine over thick seam lines. I've not had this problem on regular piecing cotton.

You mentioned you changed the needle a few weeks ago. Have you done a lot of sewing since then? I generally change my needle with each new project - sometimes sooner if it is a large quilt.

I actually have this accessory for sewing over thick seams. it was for my Singer. worked fine.http://www.thecolorfulworldofsewing....mp-Jumper.html

Someone mentioned something about using the foot that has the little spring on it. As it happens, that is the foot I use all the time. I've never used that feature so I just tested how it functions and if you push the little spring button, it makes the foot rigid (so, when in normal use without engaging the spring, the foot flexes front to back--not side to side of course). I have already finished the quilt so I will have to test out this function tomorrow sewing some scraps together.

Page 43 of your sewing manual for the Espire discusses heavyweight fabrics. Those seams should glide through the machine.
Your presser foot lift lever should have 2 position levels. All the way up for thicker fabrics, or seams in your case, and halfway for thinner fabrics. Your machine also has an Automatic Fabric Sensor. This should be turned 'ON'.
If you have used your needle for hours prior to the point you are at now, it may be good idea to change out your needle. Cheap trade-off to eliminate frustrations and to sew smoothly.

I have a Brother Innovis 2000 and the same thing is happening to me. It can't seem to make it over anything even semi thick. It skips stitches really bad and then I have to attempt to sew over it again. I'm working with a tapestry fabric and it is really acting up. This was not a cheap machine. I'm going to try to check to see if I have the presser foot with the spring.

Here's an easy trick if you can't adjust the presser foot lift higher: Stop just in front of the seam intersection, needle down. Lift the foot and slide a piece of cardboard ( about 1/8 in thick) right behind the needle, foot down, sew over the intersection, take out the cardboard and continue. This is your DIY jeans-thing.

I was sewing a handle for my tote bag and kept having the problem with the skipped stitches. Pulled out my owners manual and it recommended a larger needle to get through the thickness - problem solved.