Quilting with Rulers thread problem
 

I am having a problem with my thread shredding, breaking, and after sewing ok for a bit, will suddenly skip stitches when doing ruler quilting. Just getting started with this technique. I am quilting on a Janome 6609P, using Schmetz quilting needles. I’ve tried both #11 and #14. My tension is great. The thread is from ConnectingThreads. I have always used it for fmq on this machine and have never had a problem. The feed dogs are down. I have tried 4 different, new needles and 3 different spools of thread. I know I must be doing something wrong but I can’t figure it out. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Could it be a bad batch of thread? Do you have any very old thread?

Sorry, I am not familiar with a Janome 6609P, and am guessing it's a typo, meaning 6600P?
If so, I am quite familiar with the 6600P, as it is what got me hooked on quilting and FMQing.

You mentioned using Schmetz "quilting" needles.
I have never had luck with the actual "quilting" needles, on that machine or my current one.

My go-to needles are Embroidery and Topstitch needles, size 14.
Not saying that is where I end up, but I always start there.

Also, you said you are doing ruler work when the problem happens.
Are you able to do FMQing without any of the same problems, with the same needle/settings?

You are right, a typo. Janome 6600P. Yes, I can fmq with the same settings. I will try going back to my organ needles. It is not old thread.

I use the Janome Purple top needles for free motion ruler work I have the 15000 and the 8900 this

Thanks for checking back ....... I have only done a little ruler work, yet enough to know that as I hold the ruler in place and push/pull the sandwich/ruler along its way, that things definitely are different than when doing regular FMQing. Maybe the wrong technical term, but a different tension and friction is created. It could be that this difference is what is causing your shredding/breakage?

Good Luck!

I use a 18 size needle,same thread in bobbin as on top,and make sure to hold the ruler lightly on top of the quilt sandwich.

If the ruler foot is too high above the quilt sandwich all those things will happen. If you are using this foot.....https://amyquilts.com/products/janom...-set-low-shank or something like that, this is a non-hopping foot and there is a dial that you can turn that lowers the foot down so that it just skims the material. Once you get it the right height, I'll bet your problems will disappear.

Watson

I've found that I do better with my ruler foot, when I use polyester thread, instead of cotton thread.