Free Motion Quilting and High Loft Batting
 

Hi all,

I thought you might be interested in my adventures in FMQ with a high loft batting. I wanted to use the high loft because I want a "trapunto" like effect without all the cutting. So I made the quilt top, sandwiched, and FMQd. And quickly came to a shredding, skipped stitch, maddening halt.

I got so very frustrated and I thought maybe there was something wrong with my machine. So I packed it up, went to my friendly neighborhood sewing store (where I bought my machine) and chatted with the owner (C). C sat down at the same model to use as a control and we tried it out using my needle, thread, and a sample I brought with me. We discovered that the problems occur when going "backwards" - i.e. pulling the quilt towards me. This pulls the thread away from the needle and out of the protective groove resulting in more of the thread exposed to the thick batting and thus shredding. Her advice? Stick with "stitch in the ditch" and regular sewing.

So I went home and did some thinking and, after much trial and error, I found the secret formula. If you are still with me and curious, the secret sauce is:

1. Stich in the ditch around the basic design. This locks down an area to be quilted and minimizes horizontal movement of the fabrics and batting.
2. Use the smallest eyed needle appropriate for your thread. This minimizes the flapping back and forth in the eye.
3. Non stick / Teflon needle. I bought them for another project and decided on a whim to give them a try. Woo boy what a difference.
4. Use the smallest holed stich plate. Again, minimal movement.
5. Use the floating foot as far down as your machine will allow. Same reasoning.
6. Go very fast.
7. Standard precautions of sharp needle and clean machine.
8. Try not to get frustrated when the thread shreds because it will. But the above will keep it to a minimum.

See pic.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]617393[/ATTACH]

I got the puffy look I was going for and I'm now cruising through this quilt. Just because someone says it can't be done doesn't mean they are right. It took a lot of trial and ripping but I was persistent and got it!!!

Happy stitching

jojk

"You rip what you sew"

Thanks Jojk....some good advice here. I probably wouldn't have gone back to the store to find out what was happening, but I'm glad you did! Thanks!

I have made a lot of quilts using high loft polyester batting. I love doing FMQ and almost always do it. If I have any problems I change to a size 16 needle and that fixes everything.

I love your variegated thread. It really adds a lot. I have some Sulky Blendables 30 but don't quite know how to use it.

hugs,
charlotte

Glad your story had a happy ending! Well done.

thanks for all the tips and your experience

Thanks for sharing this bit of information.

Wish I had seen this earlier. I had a horrible experience with a donated high loft batting. After changing needles and thread and much ripping, I just tied it!

I hear you. This morning is not going well - lots of shredding. I'm taking it as a sign that I need to take a break. It can be incredibly frustrating.