Brother pq1500
04-04-2017, 07:28 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 521
Brother pq1500
I am ready to start my first quilting on this machine.
Details: Fabrics are 100% cotton back and front, batting is cotton warm and white.
I have tried quilting a few small sandwiches using the same fabric/batting as the quilt. Everything is fine. However, when I start on the quilt, there is a longer stitch every 4 or 5 stitches. I am using 100% cotton thread (gutermann) and a #75 schmetz needle( also tried a #90) and a Brother walking foot that came with machine. There quilt is supported well so I know that's not the problem. I changed a few things...stitch length, presser foot tension etc but no matter what I do there is that longer stitch. It seems like it 'catches' a bit after a few stitches but I can't figure out why.
Are there little secrets to getting the tension correct? what thread and needle gives you the best results?
Should I change to a cotton thread.
Thanks for any help.
Details: Fabrics are 100% cotton back and front, batting is cotton warm and white.
I have tried quilting a few small sandwiches using the same fabric/batting as the quilt. Everything is fine. However, when I start on the quilt, there is a longer stitch every 4 or 5 stitches. I am using 100% cotton thread (gutermann) and a #75 schmetz needle( also tried a #90) and a Brother walking foot that came with machine. There quilt is supported well so I know that's not the problem. I changed a few things...stitch length, presser foot tension etc but no matter what I do there is that longer stitch. It seems like it 'catches' a bit after a few stitches but I can't figure out why.
Are there little secrets to getting the tension correct? what thread and needle gives you the best results?
Should I change to a cotton thread.
Thanks for any help.
04-04-2017, 08:35 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Southwest
Posts: 738
This is what I do, so maybe it will help:
- I always use the Schmetz Stepp-Nadel Quilting Needle 130/705 H-Q 90/14 (I think that means it's a size 90)
- Double-check your upper threading all the way down to the needle (just to make sure it's correct - sometimes
the thread hops out of that last "hook" just before the needle).
- Be sure your feed dogs are in the down position (check the knob on the right bottom side of your machine)
- Be sure the tension reflects your feed dogs down (the upper left knob should be turned so the tension on the
pressure foot is looser or non-existent--the indicator should be in the black zone).
- I use Gutermann exclusively, so you should be okay with that (100% cotton).
**The settings I used were when I had the machine on a frame. I used the little hopping foot instead of the walking foot. If you are not using the frame.......I'm thinking it might just be getting the rhythm of smooth feeding or maybe try the hopping foot. The hopping foot is round and is clear. Good luck! You've got a good machine!
- I always use the Schmetz Stepp-Nadel Quilting Needle 130/705 H-Q 90/14 (I think that means it's a size 90)
- Double-check your upper threading all the way down to the needle (just to make sure it's correct - sometimes
the thread hops out of that last "hook" just before the needle).
- Be sure your feed dogs are in the down position (check the knob on the right bottom side of your machine)
- Be sure the tension reflects your feed dogs down (the upper left knob should be turned so the tension on the
pressure foot is looser or non-existent--the indicator should be in the black zone).
- I use Gutermann exclusively, so you should be okay with that (100% cotton).
**The settings I used were when I had the machine on a frame. I used the little hopping foot instead of the walking foot. If you are not using the frame.......I'm thinking it might just be getting the rhythm of smooth feeding or maybe try the hopping foot. The hopping foot is round and is clear. Good luck! You've got a good machine!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 02-07-2018 at 09:14 AM. Reason: remove shouting/all caps
04-04-2017, 08:39 AM
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,412
My machine did this before. I don't remember how I fixed it. I probably changed thread and needle sizes. I don't think it is a tension issue.
The needle size and type is determined by the thread type, weight and ply. Needle and thread education is very important. Start here:https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/
The needle size and type is determined by the thread type, weight and ply. Needle and thread education is very important. Start here:https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/
Last edited by Onebyone; 04-04-2017 at 08:42 AM.
04-04-2017, 08:50 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 521
This is what I do, so maybe it will help:
- I always use the Schmetz Stepp-Nadel Quilting Needle 130/705 H-Q 90/14 (I think that means it's a size 90)
- Double-check your upper threading all the way down to the needle (just to make sure it's correct - sometimes
the thread hops out of that last "hook" just before the needle).
- Be sure your feed dogs are in the down position (check the knob on the right bottom side of your machine)
- Be sure the tension reflects your feed dogs down (the upper left knob should be turned so the tension on the
pressure foot is looser or non-existent--the indicator should be in the black zone).
- I use Gutermann exclusively, so you should be okay with that (100% cotton).
**The settings I used were when I had the machine on a frame. I used the little hopping foot instead of the walking foot. If you are not using the frame.......I'm thinking it might just be getting the rhythm of smooth feeding or maybe try the hopping foot. The hopping foot is round and is clear. Good luck! You've got a good machine!
- I always use the Schmetz Stepp-Nadel Quilting Needle 130/705 H-Q 90/14 (I think that means it's a size 90)
- Double-check your upper threading all the way down to the needle (just to make sure it's correct - sometimes
the thread hops out of that last "hook" just before the needle).
- Be sure your feed dogs are in the down position (check the knob on the right bottom side of your machine)
- Be sure the tension reflects your feed dogs down (the upper left knob should be turned so the tension on the
pressure foot is looser or non-existent--the indicator should be in the black zone).
- I use Gutermann exclusively, so you should be okay with that (100% cotton).
**The settings I used were when I had the machine on a frame. I used the little hopping foot instead of the walking foot. If you are not using the frame.......I'm thinking it might just be getting the rhythm of smooth feeding or maybe try the hopping foot. The hopping foot is round and is clear. Good luck! You've got a good machine!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 02-07-2018 at 09:15 AM. Reason: edit in quote only
04-04-2017, 09:08 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 521
Nora...thanks for the help. I just tried the 90/14 needle again and re-threaded. It seems to be working now. It was #65/9 and a #75/11 needles that I tried before. I always buy the Schmetz 130/705 needles for all my piecing.
Onebyone....thanks for the link. I bookmarked it to look at tonight.
Onebyone....thanks for the link. I bookmarked it to look at tonight.
04-04-2017, 10:47 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: West Central Texas
Posts: 2,586
I have the PQ 1500s and love it. I use either a size 14 or 16 for quilting and size 12 for piecing. The pin feed foot that comes with the machine works perfectly for me for straight line sewing and quilting. I do sometimes have to adjust the feed dog position depending on the depth of the batting. That is about the only setting I have to mess with, as for some nice reason, the tension works perfectly for either piecing or quilting at #4.
For FMQ, besides dropping the feed dogs, I set the tension to #3.
One thing to remember is this machine gets very thirsty very fast. I have to oil it twice as often as any other mechanical machine I've owned. But it really purrs after I "feed" it.
For FMQ, besides dropping the feed dogs, I set the tension to #3.
One thing to remember is this machine gets very thirsty very fast. I have to oil it twice as often as any other mechanical machine I've owned. But it really purrs after I "feed" it.
04-04-2017, 10:58 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 521
I have the PQ 1500s and love it. I use either a size 14 or 16 for quilting and size 12 for piecing. The pin feed foot that comes with the machine works perfectly for me for straight line sewing and quilting. I do sometimes have to adjust the feed dog position depending on the depth of the batting. That is about the only setting I have to mess with, as for some nice reason, the tension works perfectly for either piecing or quilting at #4.
For FMQ, besides dropping the feed dogs, I set the tension to #3.
One thing to remember is this machine gets very thirsty very fast. I have to oil it twice as often as any other mechanical machine I've owned. But it really purrs after I "feed" it.
For FMQ, besides dropping the feed dogs, I set the tension to #3.
One thing to remember is this machine gets very thirsty very fast. I have to oil it twice as often as any other mechanical machine I've owned. But it really purrs after I "feed" it.
04-04-2017, 03:30 PM
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,412
I have taken my Brother 1500 apart many times to deep clean it. The housing is super easy to remove and put back on. One time a pin got in the reverse lever and fell right to a gear causing it to jam. I took the pin out and problem solved. One time I left extra spool of thread on the bobbin spindle and unwound half the spool on the hand crank! What a mess to remove. And just recently I heard a big pop and the needle wouldn't move up or down. I took the housing off and there was a big spring lodged in the gear. Hmmm I wonder where that came from. I took it out and the machine sewed just fine. A few minutes later I discovered where the spring came from. The reverse lever is attached to a spring. The spring popped off and flew all the way to the top of the machine. I put a rubber band around the lever and it works fine. I'll take it in to be repaired at some point. LOL
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