Why won't my Crescendo sew over thick seams? How can I get it to work?
 

I am sewing together flying geese, point to point, so there is quite a bit of thickness for the machine to sew over. However, you spend top dollar for a high-end machine that is touted as being able to sew through 8 layers of denim (or something similar to this) and my Crescendo can not even sew over Moda regular cotton flying geese.

I have my presser foot pressure on 3 and my stitch is straight stitch at 1.4 length (I am doing it short as I am pressing the seam open and don't want to see the thread in the seam). My machine comes up to the seam and then gets lodged on the peak where the seams all meet and it will not budge unless I very forcefully pull or move around the block. In doing so, the seam line ends up very wonky and I end up having around 30 stitches in a 1/2 inch section. I've played around with the presser foot pressure and stitch length (although I need it to be short) and nothing has helped. The only thing that really works is raising the presser foot and forcefully pulling the block through.

Is there anything I should be trying to successfully sew these blocks together? I haven't tried the walking foot yet (I actually haven't even taken it out of the box and I've had the machine a year now!!). Is that what I need to do? Thanks.

Try lengthening the stitch, you stitch sounds kind of small which can cause thread nest sometimes making it not go over seams easily. I usually use a 1.8 for piecing. I haven't had any issues going over thick seams with my dreamweaver or my low end SQ-9050. I don't see my thread at 1.8 when pressing. also use the leveling button on the jfoot to level the thicker seams. They do sell a 1/4 inch babylock foot with that same leveling button. You shouldn't need the walking or the muvit foot for piecing. The machine should be good with regular machines as the motor is very powerful by itself. the muvit foot does work awesome on thick layers but I don't consider piecing thick. You shouldn't need anything below a 1.8 stitch length unless paper piecing which I use a 1.6 and was able to go over thick star points with my babylock espire before I traded her in on my dreamweaver

I have an older Bernina 1530 and have had no trouble sewing over flying geese. I certainly would sew thru 8 layers of denim. There is a item called Jean a ma Jig.
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...+needle+set.do

Try loosening your pressure foot pressure . . .every machine is different and your setting may be too much pressure. You shouldn't have to use a jeans jig to sew flying geese using quilting cotton.

Tartan, I did resort to this a few times. I have completed 10 of the point to point geese blocks and have 10 more to finish. I just don't understand why the machine struggles when all the advertising says it shouldn't.

Dolphyngyrl--I've tried large stitches (2.0) as well and it doesn't change the performance. I can see my thread in a seam that I used 2.0 for so I went smaller.

I have the Crescendo and she sews just fine over the seams. I use the standard 1/4" foot. I also believe that your stitch length is too small and once the needle gets caught, it doesn't have the oomph to make it over the hump. You may also need a new needle.

There is the standard foot with the little spring at the side which is meant to be used with bulky items. Try that. You will have to move the needle to the 1/4" spot though.

As for the muveit foot: I ended up buying the open toe foot for it as the regular foot is too bulky for me.

I am not familiar with that machine. I wonder about the size needle you are using. It sounds like you might need a larger needle and/or maybe a different type. Some needles have a longer and more slender shank that is intended to carry the thread deeper to catch the thread off the bobbin hook.

I really think it's your stitch length. You are asking a lot of your machine to sew that many layers with such a teeny tiny stitch. I wouldn't worry about the stitches showing, just don't SITD when you quilt.

If you still have trouble, there is a little item called a Humper that helps go over thick seams. It is just under $5.00 for two, I think, and can be found at most fabric stores. I often use it for other types of sewing when the material is very thick. Good luck.

i believe there is a special foot that makes it easier to go over a change in fabric thicknesses... not sure of the name

As others have said I think the problem is the short stitch length. I have the Crescendo and it has not given me any problems sewing over thick seams. I hemmed some jeans a couple of months back and my Crescendo sewed through the thick seams like butta baby.

Maybe you can trying sewing with the shorter stitch length on the part that doesn't give you problems and then lengthen the stitch when you get to the thick part.

Since you have reduced the presser foot pressure and increased your stitch length and are still having trouble, I agree that you need the leveling tool. Check your accessory box and your manual. I am sure you got one when you got the machine and should not need to buy the jeans tool or any other. If that doesn't work, have you pressed correctly. What if you pressed in the opposite direction?

put your finger under the back of the presser foot to make the foot level, so it does not look like it is going uphill from the side.

Try a 90 quilting, Microtex, or top stitch needle. You can get them at Joanne or your local quilt shop.

Is the "normal" pressure setting on your machine 3? If so, you probably need to change to a lower setting to allow the fabric to move through.

Change to a new sewing machine needle. A sharp needle will help a lot.

depending on the age of your machine, I would take it in and demonstrate to the repair person what is happening. It does sound to me like your stitch length is a little short, but it should still handle that much fabric. Good luck with it.

Can you take it to the dealer and show how it is not sewing over the thickness? I would want an explanation and solution.

IBQuiltin we think alike. :)

It may not be your machine. Maybe your needle is too fine to go through all the seam layers. My Juki said it would sew through 8 layers of denim & when I got it home, that's exactly what I tried & it went through them like a knife through butter. Even my Juki needs a heavier needle on occasion. Worth a try.

I have a crescendo and it sews through flying geese and denim no problem...does it do the same thing with a longer stitch length...? If not that could feel the problem and if it does it all the time I would take it in

I've tried every suggestion here as well as thoroughly cleaning out the bobbin area under the plate and it still will not sew over the point of the flying geese (when sewing 2 geese together point to point) no matter how large my stitch length is so it will need to go in for servicing.

My bernina came with compression bits( think that is the name) they are different thicknesses of plastic. You place them under the foot as you sew over the seams to keep foot from bouncing off. You could try something similiar.

A tip I have is to use a Qtip in front of the presser foot to help level out the stitching. Works good for me! Good luck with lots of these suggestions.

No, just regular cotton, a recent Moda 3 Sisters line.

I sew with a 2.0 stitch. No problem sewing thick layers.
Sandy

I have a BL...not that high end one, but a midrange. Watched and then tried MSQC tute using the orange peel, four patch thingy. Worked okay until I tried sewing the blocks together...as it approached the thick edge ( backgrnd, peel seam) it would not stitch...now this bulk is not across the whole foot, just on the left side so the foot had to sort of lean over it. Skipped stitches no matter what I did. Took it to dealer with a few blocks...did the same for dealer...claimed never saw that before...left machine so "tech" could have a look.. Two days later...picked up machine tech said worked for him....came home tried one...same thing.....give up on this machine....finished project on my old Viking which stitched those humps without a hiccup! Time to dump BL and look into viking