Invisible Machine Applique- Is It OK for the Bobbin Thread to Show on the Background?
 

Hello,

I am new to quilting, and I am not sure if my invisible machine applique stitch is turning out OK. I am doing freezer paper applique preparation. I am using Superior Monopoly invisible on top, Aurifil 50 on bottom, with a blind hem stitch.

The invisible thread is working great on top (3 total fabric layers), but the bobbin thread is consistently appearing on the background (1 layer). Of course the bobbin thread should match the background, but I have been using a contrasting color so I can see how my first attempts at this turn out. I have experimented with numerous top and bottom tension settings, and can't seem to get the bobbin thread to get better.

I originally thought that the bobbin thread should not show at all, but now I wonder if that is the case since the needle/thread must go from 3 layers of fabric to 1 layer of fabric and back again.

My question is this- should the bobbin thread be showing? There is no bobbin thread on the applique itself, just on the stitches that are on the background. It finally occurred to me that this might be perfectly normal and I am trying to "fix" something that isn't broken!

Thanks for any and all help!

Some machines have a little hole in the arm of the bobbin case that you thread the bobbin thread through to avoid this. My bernina has this. It is meant for using when doing machine applique or embroidery. It really is just the tiny little bit of extra pull the bobbin thread needs so it doesn't show on the top. Here is a link to a picture where you can clearly see the hole on that arm that sticks out of the bobbin case. https://www.walmart.com/ip/HONEYSEW-...7300/477662160

I don't know if your machine has this option.

I always loosen the top tension when working with invisible thread. That was a recommendation from one of the quilting experts many years ago.

Are you folding your fabric like you would for a “ blind hem”? If you are just sewing around the appliqué that stitch is going to show- maybe try a blanket stitch around the appliqué then your bobbin thread shouldn’t show.

Superior Monopoly is wonderful thread. I use it in the top & bottom with no problem. If you're not able to use it in the bobbin, try a fine 60 wt. thread such as Bottom Line.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions! I was sewing on a brand new Juki HZL-F600 which was to replace my 20 year old Pfaff. I was so excited thinking not only about quilting, but using the decorative stitches to sew my granddaughter a "fancy" Christmas dress. Does anyone remember the old Daisy Kingdom patterns?
.
Unfortunately, after working for two solid weeks on getting the tension adjusted, this machine is being returned. I made tiny changes in the top tension, bobbin tension, both tensions together, etc. and could never get the tension to work well. (Tiny changes which over time accumulated to big changes to no effect!) Tech support at the online seller could not fix the issue either.

I finally figured this out (why didn't I think of this earlier?) by pulling out my semi-retired PFAFF non-computerized model. With minor tension adjustments, it worked perfectly! No blind stitch feature, but a narrow ziz-zag had NO bobbin thread anywhere!

I was using the Superior Monopoly thread, which I love! Now, back to the drawing board for a new machine with a few whistles and bells. :) I still have hopes for a pretty Christmas dress for a 2 year old!

I hope you find a satisfactory solution. I still work on my 60+ year-old Singer 401A. I'll never get rid of it as it does nearly anything that the Bernina does (just need a few more manual tweaks). It has never been in hospital as I keep in serviced myself.

Daisy Kingdom dresses!! I have four granddaughters and when they were small I made all of them Easter dresses for a few years. They were so cute and soooo much work, but they loved them. They lived away so had to fit by measurements. Three are graduated college and one is in college. They still talk about their dresses. Good memories. I made all of these on an old Singer Futura. I now have an Epic. How I would have loved this machine when I made the dresses :).

I’m sorry to hear about your Juki. I’ve had my f-600 for 4+ years with no issues.