Ready to pull my hair out.
11-02-2013, 08:32 PM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 170
The thread pulls smoothly on everything until I put the presser foot down. Then it's hard to pull through.
The spring seems okay.
I thought the same thing Betty Sue.
Guess the next step is to take the upper tension apart.
If I find something there I will let you all know.
Thank you all for your thoughts and help.
You all are great.
The spring seems okay.
I thought the same thing Betty Sue.
Guess the next step is to take the upper tension apart.
If I find something there I will let you all know.
Thank you all for your thoughts and help.
You all are great.
11-03-2013, 04:32 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
My friend has a short arm machine on a Hinterberg frame, and when she first started she broke tons of needles. Found out she was trying to quilt too fast. The needle has to be able to flex as it moves in all directions through the fabric. If you move the machine too fast for it's speed, you will break the needle. Also, make sure your quilt sandwich is not drum tight on the frame. All the layers should be smooth and flat, but altogether it should be kind of loose in the frame.
11-03-2013, 05:48 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 3,430
This really sounds like it is more of a needle problem than a tension problem. Try running the machine with no thread, is it binding anywhere? Is the machine being moved too fast so it does not have time to make a complete stitch before moving to the next stitch, and catching somewhere causing the break? It could be any number of things happening, try different fixes one at a time. I hate that this is happening as we all just want to sew and have fun not problems.
11-03-2013, 06:35 AM
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,916
Originally Posted by Kani
Thank you for the link. I haven't seen it.
I am using superior 50 wt. thread for quilting. The needle is a Juki 14. I also used a Organ 14. Went today and got bluejean wt. 16 needle. Not a Juki or organ. I can't remember the name of the brand but it is what Kathy Quilt sells on her site. It was the heaviest I could find at the fabric store.
Where do you get a size 18?
I do FMQ without the frame on a Kenmore. Thought it would be easier on a frame.
I am using superior 50 wt. thread for quilting. The needle is a Juki 14. I also used a Organ 14. Went today and got bluejean wt. 16 needle. Not a Juki or organ. I can't remember the name of the brand but it is what Kathy Quilt sells on her site. It was the heaviest I could find at the fabric store.
Where do you get a size 18?
I do FMQ without the frame on a Kenmore. Thought it would be easier on a frame.
Prism is right, size 14 is way to lightweight to take the speed...I use 18 also. My juki loves them and I don't break needles as much as thread LOL I get them at my local BenFranklin store but you can probably get them online.
11-03-2013, 09:23 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,340
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I used to have my Juki on a Gracie frame and realized that I wasn't enjoying quilting because of all the tension/needle breakage issues. The Juki seems to arbitrarily change its tension. Here are some of the things that I did. I hope all the good ideas you got from everyone will help you. 1) have the machine professionally cleaned/serviced; 2) I had the most luck with size 18 needles; 3) regulate your speed as best you can. The Juki can sew really fast, but I don't think the needle and thread can keep up on a frame; 4) make sure your presser foot is up when you thread the machine; 5) make sure that the area where you are quilting is not lying on the machine, it needs to be raised up a little so there is no 'drag' when you are sewing. I found that a lot of my time when quilted was taken up adjusting the roller and moving them up. Conversely, the roller that is on the front of the frame can't be too far down, because then your fabric is on a hill. I hope that makes sense. Good luck!
11-03-2013, 09:32 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,674
I have this combination one of the reasons my needles break is when I go mad in swirls and circles and go around too fast . This quick movement bends my needle and then it snaps. Try going slower on the swirls. Oh I have also tried a tip from here and tried with my feet up. It works it seems to slow the fabric down ven if you try. Moving it too fast.
Sorry no answer as to what todo to the machine but this is the only reason mine have broken.
Sorry no answer as to what todo to the machine but this is the only reason mine have broken.
11-03-2013, 10:58 AM
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 170
Originally Posted by Bobbielinks
This really sounds like it is more of a needle problem than a tension problem. Try running the machine with no thread, is it binding anywhere? Is the machine being moved too fast so it does not have time to make a complete stitch before moving to the next stitch, and catching somewhere causing the break? It could be any number of things happening, try different fixes one at a time. I hate that this is happening as we all just want to sew and have fun not problems.
Made sense to me so I tried it without the thread. It did just fine. Even when I did swirls and circles. No problem.
With thread just a straight line no swirls or anything fancy. Just a plain straight line. It would sew a little bit then snap it broke the needle.
I have a speed regulator on the machine.
I am going to take the machine off the frame either today or tomorrow and see what happens when I FMQ without the frame. If it breaks needles then I am going to see if I can get it serviced.
I appreciate everyone's help. You all have some great ideas.
Thanks again for the help.
11-04-2013, 04:46 AM
#20
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mattapoisett, MA
Posts: 49
I have a Grace frame with a Juki on it. The Juke used to be my best machine to sew on then I got the frame and
put it on that. I had so much trouble trying to get it all going that I gave up! Hence....I still have it sitting in a
spare room upstairs for over a year and a half! BUT...after reading what Michelleoc wrote it has inspired me to
try again. I will also try all the things you said.....and good luck to Kani.......don't give up like I did!!
put it on that. I had so much trouble trying to get it all going that I gave up! Hence....I still have it sitting in a
spare room upstairs for over a year and a half! BUT...after reading what Michelleoc wrote it has inspired me to
try again. I will also try all the things you said.....and good luck to Kani.......don't give up like I did!!
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