Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • longarm thread preferences >
  • longarm thread preferences

  • longarm thread preferences

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 05-27-2010, 03:28 AM
      #1  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Posts: 55
    Default

    Hi,
    I have just purchased an HQ16 quilting machine. I would be interested in your choices of quilting thread, and why you like it. Thanks
    betsey is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 03:51 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    my HQ-16 is (kind of picky) i guess...the threads that work the best for me is the maxilock threads for sergers (the cones)i have spent big $$ on cones of (quilting thread) which breaks every 2-3 inches and drives me crazy...spent big bucks on YLI verigated quilting thread...broke and frayed alot...tried cotton quilting threads...broke lots...i don't know if each machine has it's one mind about it, but i have a box full of threads my machine will not do well with, it is trial and error with each project. i always change my needle each project, when problems start i rethread, re-clean, re-insert bobbin, adjust tension...everything i can think of...when all else fails; i switch thread...and it usually fixes everything.
    trial and error and practice to see what is going to work for you.
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 05:16 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    brushandthimble's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2009
    Location: North of Boston, MA, USA
    Posts: 3,524
    Default

    My favorite is King Tut on top and So Fine in the bobbin. 99% of the time my King Tut is varigated.

    reds, gold misc
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]74153[/ATTACH]

    blues and purples,
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]74154[/ATTACH]
    Attached Thumbnails attachment-74148.jpe   attachment-74149.jpe  
    brushandthimble is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 05:31 AM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    BellaBoo's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Front row
    Posts: 14,646
    Default

    One of my guild members has the HQ16 and she uses Robison Anton nylon thread in the bobbin. It's very fine and you can't see the bobbin thread in the front stitches. The nylon comes in many different colors on big cones. She swears by it for the bobbin.
    BellaBoo is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 06:22 AM
      #5  
    Google Goddess
     
    Join Date: May 2009
    Location: Central Indiana (USA)
    Posts: 30,181
    Default

    awesome
    craftybear is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 06:26 AM
      #6  
    Senior Member
     
    crashnquilt's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2008
    Location: Lebanon, Missouri
    Posts: 602
    Default

    I have the HQ and I can use any thread. You do have to experiment at times.

    If you get a lot of thread breakage, try loosening the needle tension. If it is still happening, only go thru the top 2 holes in the pretensioner. If it is still happening try using a larger needle.

    I really like using the SUPER BOB'S by Superior for my bobbins. I get good stitch definition and very few bobbin tension problems with them.

    Have fun with the new machine, I absolutely love mine.
    crashnquilt is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 06:38 AM
      #7  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Posts: 55
    Default

    thanks, very helpful
    betsey is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 06:39 AM
      #8  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Posts: 55
    Default

    thanks
    betsey is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 06:49 AM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    Shelley's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2008
    Location: Wilbur, WA
    Posts: 757
    Default

    With some experience, you should be able to run just about anything in your machine. Spend the money and get a TOWA gauge, they come in both the L and M bobbin sizes (L is the smaller and M is the larger bobbins). Its the best money I've spent to help with tension issues. Use it on every bobbin, every time. You can have two bobbins out of the same box and they will work differently. Using the TOWA gauge takes the guesswork out it.

    Also, check out the Superior Threads site. Dr. Bob's school of Threadology will help you so much. Here's a short vidoo on tension.

    http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/5-tension/

    You can also watch their schedule for a class near you. Usually they are at major quilt shows. Well worth the trip for that class alone! There are classes coming up in Hawaii...I wonder if I can talk DH into a trip.....
    Shelley is offline  
    Old 05-27-2010, 09:16 AM
      #10  
    Power Poster
     
    BellaBoo's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: Front row
    Posts: 14,646
    Default

    Do the drop test. Put a fresh bobbin in the bobbincase, thread the bobbincase correctly except for the "pigtail". Hold the bobbincase up by the thread (leave a hand underneath so it doesn't hit the floor!), let it dangle and jerk the thread to test the tension. If the bobbincase drops a few inches and stops you are in the ballpark. If it doesn't drop at all it's too tight. If it hits the floor it's too loose and you forgot to put your other hand under it.


    What is the pigtail referring to?
    BellaBoo is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    miss_ticky2
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    22
    06-09-2011 05:25 PM
    AFQSinc
    Main
    7
    06-09-2011 03:03 PM
    Donna Mare
    Main
    8
    10-22-2010 06:29 AM
    pvquilter
    Main
    11
    04-11-2010 07:36 PM
    Rose Marie
    Main
    11
    06-24-2008 09:40 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter