Lady Diana

It is your needle size. Purchase a Topstitch 90/14 for FMQ....Absent of bur check on your thread path. a size 12 is much too small for FMQ.

IBQUILTIN

soccertxi, does the needle size also affect thread breakage with cotton? I am having the same problems and wondered if maybe its the flannel quilt, I've changed needles, cleaned everything twice, shut here down and started over and am still getting a breakage about every 18 inches. I've been quilting a long time, and have never had so much trouble with one quilt. About ready to put it in the orphan projects box, but my DGS would miss out since his brother gets one that I had no trouble with

quilttiger

Also check to see if the thread is coming off the spool correctly. I had a couple incidents where the end of the thread had somehow gotten underneath the thread (hope it makes sense!) on the cone. After a second or two of FMQ, the thread can no longer go through and it breaks. Both times, the thread was trilobal polyester and shiny.

sept97

totally different BUT, my thread kept snapping on my embroidery machine (I was embroidering on a sweatshirt and it was a dense design) After 2 days I figured I'd try a needle meant for denim and it all worked out fine.

Leslie333

It's not just the size of the needle, but the type of needle matter just as much, if not more. I was having similar issues with thread breaks on FMQ and a topstitch needle was suggested to me. I went to my quilt store and compared them and the eye on the topstitch needle is huge compared to a quilting or universal needle of the same size. Take a look at this for a quick compare of the eyes when the size is exactly the same: https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...versal-needle/ For FMQ you are putting a lot of stress on the thread where it goes through the needle and a large eye helps a lot.

Ladyhawk57

That sounds huge lol....I was worried because I was using a jeans needle and when I put it up to the light the holes look big. My thread kept breaking as well and that is why i switched to the jeans needle. I am still new to quilting even though I started 6 years ago and that project has been a UFO for all that time. Now I started again and am having issues with the quilting side of things not sure what colour to use on the quilt etc....you ladies are very helpful with your comments.

Maire

A sewing machine tech said years ago the best needle for FMQ is a Stretch needle, has the best scarf, I have been using them for years & agree.
Since the thread is breaking have you checked the spool, is there a burr or something that could be catching the thread as it passes over the spool.
Another cause is maybe a small piece of thread is caught somewhere in the threading path or bobbin area, that has been the case for me with breaking thread. Often it is hard to find, use a flashlight.
Don't give up!!

GarageDragon

Well, I finished quilting it! Thanks to all those offering suggestions and moral support, they were very much appreciated!!!

A weird thing: I had another quick go (prior to the larger needles arriving), and had no problems! Somewhat amazed, I went through two whole spools of bobbin thread with no breakages, before I suddenly realised I'd raised the feed dogs to do a quick fix on my daughter's clothing before she went out: I had changed the machine feet but forgotten to drop the dogs again. So I dropped them, and two thread breakages in less than five minutes! I raised the feed dogs, and managed the rest of the quilt top with very few problems. I know some have suggested keeping the dogs raised for FMQ, but I am amazed it made so much difference to me - I still can't work it out

Of course I have run out of thread half way around the binding now, lol!

The larger needles have just arrived too...

soccertxi

It CAN. I have had troubles with different things since I started quilting. Batiks, a weird batting and thread I just COULD not use. Each quilt is its OWN person! This is why I try my tensions EVERYTIME I start quilting. I have finished for the night...gorgeous stitches. Come back in the morning? nothing different? HUGE nests underneath and thread snapping everywhere. I rethread...oil...change needle...change bobbin...say a bad word or two...say thank you to my machine(she is NOT doing this on purpose-TRUST me! lol)...and soldier on. I have left it for a few days...to get my sanity back!

AnnieF

I have a Janome.....bought the machine 10 years ago and it's quilted over 400 baby quilts. I had problems right off the bat with FMQ (thought I'd have to bring the machine back to the dealer) and finally realized that if I didn't put the thread through the last hook before the needle, I had no problems at all. I do thread it through when I'm piecing but for some reason, it doesn't like that last hook for FM!. Also, I've had problems with thread.....sometimes taking it out and using another thread. I think a thread weight of 50 is too light for FMQ so usually I use a 40 or 35 if I can find it.