FMQ tension issue?
 

I have a juki 2010Q and I think I am having trouble with my tension when I FMQ. It is difficult to see the individual stitches like I see on other FMQ pics on the board, it seems as if mine are like a running stitch where the stitches run into one another. I would appreciate any advise. Thanks in advance.

Good morning,

I don't know anything about your machine, but on mine (I have a Husqvarna Topaz 30) the default tension is 4.2 and I lowered mine to 3.5 ... then I had perfect tension - I noticed because I had lots of "eyelashes" when I was doing curves ... and lowering the tension solved the problem.

Good luck,

Marion

I have noticed that the heavier the thread the more defined the stitches look.
If your top thread really is not being pulled to the middle of the quilt all that you can do is keep adjusting your tension until it is. Have you switched to a finer bobbin thread? Have you tried tightening your bobbin ever so slightly?

Sounds like you are moving your quilt sandwich too slowly. With free motion quilting, YOU control the stitch length, not the machine. Tension shouldn't have anything to do with stitch length.

Yes, that's it, my stitches are not defined. I have never touched the bobbin tension and I am using gutermanns thread for both upper and bobbin. I have always been afraid to touch the bobbin tension but I will try it.

I was told by my bernina dealer that Gutterman thread is very stiff to use. Some machines just don't like it. I use primarily Connecting threads Essential thread, all of my machines seem to like, including my Juki 2001.

I would recommend you watch this youtube clip. I found it very helpful to sort out tension issues....

http://youtu.be/Q1mRhcquZTM

I was glad to see your question. I just finished two quilts and noticed the tension was off on parts. I have a Topaz30 too. I'm going to try Marion's suggestion. I also noticed if I went too slow the tension was worse so I tried to keep at a nice speed. I'm still learning.

Although it is talking about longarm, that is exactly what I posted about the other day, tiny piece of thread in the bobbin case affecting your stitch. It's true, I was getting eyelashes all of a sudden and a tiny piece of thread stuck in my bobbin case caused it.

Check the bobbin case for any lint or thread pieces.

Great video.

Just keep practising. It will get easier and you will get better over time. All the best!