Kwiltr

Thanks everyone and thank you to whoever added the update to my thread to the existing thread, assuming it was the moderator . I tried to do that myself, but couldn't see how to. If there is a way to change the subject on my thread after the fact to do it myself, please let me know and I can save someone the trouble. Thanks!

Kwiltr

If there is anyone still following the progress on this post...I finally received bymy Magic Genie bobbin washers. First I tried them in my spare bobbin case in which I had already removed the backlash spring for the magna glide bobbins. I still had backlash bout found my thread tension was quite a bit better than just adjusting the backlash spring to prevent backlash, which does affect the bobbin tension. So, without the backlash spring in the bobbin case, there is no further adjustment available when backlash is still occurring. So, then I switched out bobbin cases to the one I had with the backlash spring still intact, and backed off the spring to essentially inactivate it, not sure what might happen. I still had backlash several times but the thread tension on met stitching was probably the best I've ever managed, so was reluctant to touch anything that would change that. I finally gave in after several, multi yard thread backlashes in the bobbin case and touched up my backlash spring to try and put a stop to it. While it did not disappear completely, It was getting less frequent, and less copious in terms of the damage to bobbin thread, and at the same time really concentrated on keeping my hand speed constant without sudden moves when changing direction. I was doing bump back feathers and 9 times out of 10, the backlash occurred when I bumped back and started the top of the adjoining feather. I could go for long stretches without a problem, then suddenly it would happen again! I feel like my machine is super sensitive to this. However, I think my thread tension is much better using the bobbin genie than without it, as I don't have to crank up my backlash spring, which in turn messes with the bobbin tension. It's all just so frustrating at times!!! I finished the quilting on my quilt yesterday and will post pictures hopefully next week once it's bound and the sun comes out . Thank you all for your suggestions and support on this.

just to be clear...I have included a picture of the bobbin backlash problem I am experiencing as I know there is a bit of misunderstanding for those lucky people who have never experienced this. I wish I could include myself in that group .

quiltingshorttimer

I looked back at this thread after your recent post. Your quilting pictures looked good from what I could see. Your bobbin picture makes me think that you are having trouble getting a well wound bobbin--do you use a Towa gauge after you wind a bobbin? One thing I know about my Towa, if I get tension readings that show it bobbing around, it means the bobbin case has some lint built up either in the tension finger or the backlash spring (I use M bobbins, but think it's the same with L?) or the case is out of round (that was problem just recently) or the tension on the bobbin winder ( use a stand alone one) needs adjusting. From your original post I thought the problem was thread "nests" on the back of the quilt and didn't realize you were talking about thread problems on the actual bobbin. Sorry about that

also--I'm not clear on what you are talking about when you say backlash spring--on my bobbins its a little metal disc that is inserted into the bobbin instead of a Magic Genie (which I sometimes use one instead of a bobbin backlash spring) but that is not adjustable, so don't understand when you say you have adjust the backlash spring. The thread tension arm on the bobbin, that you adjust with the little screw, is the only adjustment on my bobbin case--and the only adjustment on the bobbin thread unless you are talking about the take up arm, etc. On the top thread there are 2 tension adjustments on my machine--an intermediate and then the tension spring set up before thread goes into the take up arm. I would think if you had thread nests on back of quilt and the bobbin tension is fine, that the top tension would be adjusted some. If the top thread doesn't look good, then it's likely the bobbin thread is the culprit. Does this help at all?

Kwiltr

Thanks quiltingshorttimer for your response. This picture of the bobbin in my last post is not right after it has been wound. (I am attaching one here of what they look like when they are just wound so you can see it) This mess on the bobbin occurs when the machine comes to a stop, but the bobbin does not stop spinning in the bobbin case. My bobbins are wound tight and are firm, they are not the issue. Not every machine that takes an M Style bobbin has the same bobbin case design. You didn't say what your machine is, but the one for my HQ Sweet Sixteen has a flat black hook Shaped metal piece inside the bobbin case held in by a small screw on the inside that is called the backlash spring. It is adjustable from the outside of the bobbin case so you can increase or decrease the pressure it applies on the bobbin so that it will stop spinning within the case when it's supposed to. Not everyone experiences this backlash problem on their machines, and I think unless you do, it's hard to understand the problem or realize it exists for some machines. A friend of mine also has the same machine as me, and has never experienced this problem and didn't know what I was talking about either. I just happen to be lucky I guess. NOT!

Prism99

I wonder if the bobbin itself could be a problem. Not all bobbins are machined to the same tolerances. Perhaps borrow a bobbin from the friend who does not have the problem?

Edit: Perhaps also borrow her bobbin case? Maybe it's a slight difference in their manufacture.

Kwiltr

Well I bought a second bobbin case probably two years ago, hoping that would cure the problem, but it didn't make any difference. I've had backlash issues since I bought the machine, it's not a new problem, and I have been using brand new Handi Quilter bobbins since December, and several different ones, winding several to have handy, and it doesn't seem to make a difference. My friend is out of town for a couple of weeks, but I might just talk to her about trying hers out, although I don't hold out much hope for it making a difference. The only time I have not had backlash is with magna glide prewounds, but I just do not want to depend on them for all of my quilting.

quiltingshorttimer

My LA is a Gammill, and my bobbin case is very different apparently. So sorry none of my ideas works. I do have a friend that has a Prodigy LA and she struggled for about 3 years with tension problems and finally managed to get her tech to come to her house and they figured out that her machine was in need of major repair--voila! she's had no problems since. Since your machine has had backlash problems since you got it, sounds like you might need to get someone out to work on it? Would be worth the frustration.

omaluvs2quilt

This thread is very helpful as I always have issues with batiks also, both on my Janome and my Sweet 16. I'm beginning a batik quilt soon, so will keep tabs here. I've had better luck with the glide pre-wounds, definitely using the thread net, and have also moved my thread guides to alleviate some of the "jumping" out of the tension guide.

I tried the magic genie washers on my Janome with little luck, but may try them on the 16. I was unaware of the wind/tension disc fix, and don't quite understand...can you direct me to a video maybe?

I tend to avoid batiks for these very reasons, but have a friend who wants one, so here I go! I have the Wilmington batik fabrics, but did a bleed test and yes, they do. They are all similar colors, but I'm wondering do you just prewash? or do you treat with Retayne first? I'm worried that once the quilt is completed she may inadvertanly wash it in warm and nullify the treatment.

rryder

I don't have a long arm, but do have two machines in which the bobbin is oriented vertically that I use for Fmq. On one of them I had a backlash that looks exactly like what you are showing and realized I'd accidentally put the bobbin in backwards-- it happened right after I'd finished piecing a quilt on my machine with a horizontal drop in bobbin (p orientation for the bobbin) and moved over to my Fmq machine with the vertical bobbin (q orientation for bobbin insertion).

Rob

Kwiltr

Hi. There is a HQ Webinar on Tension Tug of War on the Handi Quilter website under the Education link. Vicki Hoth discusses this but I'm not sure she demonstrates it, but have a look at that. Essentially instead of only flossing your thread through and up from the bottom of the tension discs, you continue to have your thread travel completely around them before continuing threading the machine. I pretty much always prewash all of my fabric, batiks included. I throw a colour catcher in to see if anything gives off dye enough to wash it again. Someone suggested I wash the backing a few times, but I found the backing was flimsier than the regular batik I used on the top anyway, so didn't think it would be an issue after one wash. I tried Retayne once and didn't find it worked that well for setting the dye and after discovering it is not a permanent fix as you mentioned, don't plan on using it again. I think you're probably better off using synthrapol or colour catchers in the subsequent washings to deal with any further bleeding issues that could happen, but that's just my opinion.