MadQuilter

My machine is persnickety with Clark's Dual Duty but all other threads seem to work fine. I use a lot of Connectingthreads both cotton and poly. I also have a variety of threads from Superior. Most of mine range in the 50/3 (for which I use a 80/12 needle) and 40/3 (for which I use the 90/14) needle.

Sephie

You can totally do this. I've been pretty lucky and my Janome hasn't had a problem with any thread I've thrown at it, including C&C, Connecting Threads, Mettler, Gutterman, Aurifil, and Sulky. I even used serger thread before I knew what it was! Oops...

I've had most success puddling the quilt instead of rolling it in the throat. I also built a foam insulation topper for my table using Marguerita Mcmanus' method (Google "marguerita mcmanus foam insulation table" and the video will come up on YouTube) and that has helped tremendously since the quilt doesn't get hung up at all on the edges of my machine. Much as I'm cheap and didn't want to spend $8 on a pair of quilting gloves, the Machingers gloves have been FANTASTIC. I have a Supreme Slider, but it often pulls up even when I tape it down, so I'm not using it as often anymore. All of these things have made my FMQ so much better and I rarely ever have issues with skipped stitches or eyelashes on the back.

quiltingshorttimer

are you using a 14 TOPstitch needle? that is what made a difference for me. plus the other suggestions mentioned. I was FMQ with my $80 Walmart Brother, so think you'll be able to use your's--lots of support for the quilt, too!. I move a bench to form an L to support it. Good luck!

QuiltnNan

here's the link to the you tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
and as to gloves, i bought garden gloves with little plastic dots at walmart for about $1

salederer

Try using a top stitch needle. They have a larger hole for the thread to go through. I feel your pain, the first few years I fmq, I was using the same machine. Last year for my my BD I got a Babylock Journey with something over an 11' HARP, What a difference. I still make sure my quilts are supported so there is no drag. Good luck. Hope you can get a machine with a larger harp sooner than later.

bjdemir

Have you tried a top stitch needle? I sometimes have to go to this.

NZquilter

Just another question for you pros out there: I purchased some C&C 30 weight quilting thread. Should I now buy a 90/14 top stitch needle, or a 100/16 top stitch needle?

quiltingshorttimer

I would think a 16 top stitch for a 30wt thread--that's fairly thick.

NZquilter

Please help!! I've spent the past week ripping out half the quilting and spent over $30 in supplies to help my FMQ (machiners gloves, top stitch needles, new thread ect.) I'm trying it again and now my top thread is wrapping around the needle every few stitches. Is the eye of the needle now too big? My pressed foot has been lowered. What is wrong? Is it my machine after all? I'm nearly near tears. This machine, as simple and small as it is, was a gift from my in-laws last Christmas, and they would be very hurt if they bought me a lemon. I'm ready to give up on quilting. This is my En Provonce MQ, where my piecing was near show quality and now I'm ruinening it with continuous ripping out stitches.

Sephie

I can't remember if you answered already, but are you using a hopping/embroidery/FMQ foot? The kind with the circle or C shape at the bottom?

Are your feed dogs down? Up? I do it with mine down, but I know Leah Day leaves hers up and you can cover them with a note card.

Is your quilt well supported around the machine so that it's not catching on the corners of the machine?

When you're not FMQ and just piecing normally, do you have issues with the thread skipping at all? I ask because I just bought a cheap Singer to use downstairs when I'm with the baby and toddler, and I'll be returning it because when I piece with it, it skips stitches randomly and the thread will wrap around the needle and jam. That's even with a new needle, Aurifil, and straight stitching.

How did you baste your quilt? I know many others have had success with spray basting, but I must use too much because I always have problems whenever I do it - even if I iron the sandwich before quilting. The thread always breaks, gets wrapped around the needle, jams, skipped stitches, you name it and I've had it!