littledentist

It’s a Bernina q20. I just went to try it and on this last go, set the upper tension to 5 and It seemed the most ideal. But I can def tell the top stitch from the backside stitch. Can you guys tell the difference between the top and the bottom stitch? Are there any photos of anyone else’s bobbin stitches? So curious.

NZquilter

I quilt on a vintage machine and it has a lovely stitch, but yes, I can still tell the top thread from the bottom, even when my tension is ready right. Congratulations on your new machine!

quiltingshorttimer

don't be afraid to adjust your tension both on top and bobbin. I use a Towa gauge for each bobbin--even if the same thread, sometimes I find that I wind the bobbin just a little different--especially when I'm switching between colors. I prefer to adjust the bobbin and leave the 2 tops tensioners on my Gammill alone. But some threads to require I make a top adjustment too. I recently used Magnifico (Superior, like Glide) for first time and really had to loosen the intermediate tensioner. Check the Bernina website for video tutes and also sign up for the Bernina FB page for more help from folks that own the same machine.

quiltedsunshine

On my longarm, I can't use different colored threads on top and bottom. It just never looks right. But I can make it look good on my little Bernina.

oreo1912

I have a brother PQ1500 on a SR2 grace frame. I use different colored top and bottom threads a lot. Here is a pic of the Top and bottom. Orange is top with orange thread, teal is bottom with white thread. Same weight thread. You can see the tension is pretty set so you don't get color on the wrong side. There is a slight peek of the orange on the back but only with the enlarged pic to the naked eye you can't really see it.

littledentist

Wow, Oreo, those are some beauties!

Michellesews

Your tension is fine. You are supposed to see “the ball headed man” when you have different colors top and bottom. I have a Gammill Statler and I keep my bobbin loose enough that it drops like a rock when I hold the thread up. This has worked for me for 15 years. Any tension adjustments are always made with the top tension.

pewa88

Jan, I must say you are very fortunate to have such success with your longarm if you rarely ever have to adjust tension. I have an Innova and I rarely ever adjust tension except when I want to use different thread top and bottom.

littledentist

Update. I winded a new bobbin, did check and tweak the tension on it and it seemed much better. I think I’m getting the hang of it finally. I guess you really do have to get to know your machine and probably calm down a little. Maybe some wine. 🤪 The adventures continue!

Jaiade

pewa88, yes, I think I am because I have heard some tension horror stories! I started from the beginning using two colors when I first got the LA 11 years ago. APQS prided themselves on a machine that didn't require a lot of tweeking on every quilt, and had a beautiful stitch, and almost went in a straight line by itself. I'm sure there were some lemons in the bunch, as with any machine, car, etc. I don't know how they are now since I haven't needed service in 11 years(and am not looking to upgrade) but once a few months ago for an encoder wire that was $10. And all that took was a phone call.

littledentist, so glad things are working out. Quilt on!!!!!