Invisible Machine Applique- Is It OK for the Bobbin Thread to Show on the Background?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
Invisible Machine Applique- Is It OK for the Bobbin Thread to Show on the Background?
Hello,
I am new to quilting, and I am not sure if my invisible machine applique stitch is turning out OK. I am doing freezer paper applique preparation. I am using Superior Monopoly invisible on top, Aurifil 50 on bottom, with a blind hem stitch.
The invisible thread is working great on top (3 total fabric layers), but the bobbin thread is consistently appearing on the background (1 layer). Of course the bobbin thread should match the background, but I have been using a contrasting color so I can see how my first attempts at this turn out. I have experimented with numerous top and bottom tension settings, and can't seem to get the bobbin thread to get better.
I originally thought that the bobbin thread should not show at all, but now I wonder if that is the case since the needle/thread must go from 3 layers of fabric to 1 layer of fabric and back again.
My question is this- should the bobbin thread be showing? There is no bobbin thread on the applique itself, just on the stitches that are on the background. It finally occurred to me that this might be perfectly normal and I am trying to "fix" something that isn't broken!
Thanks for any and all help!
I am new to quilting, and I am not sure if my invisible machine applique stitch is turning out OK. I am doing freezer paper applique preparation. I am using Superior Monopoly invisible on top, Aurifil 50 on bottom, with a blind hem stitch.
The invisible thread is working great on top (3 total fabric layers), but the bobbin thread is consistently appearing on the background (1 layer). Of course the bobbin thread should match the background, but I have been using a contrasting color so I can see how my first attempts at this turn out. I have experimented with numerous top and bottom tension settings, and can't seem to get the bobbin thread to get better.
I originally thought that the bobbin thread should not show at all, but now I wonder if that is the case since the needle/thread must go from 3 layers of fabric to 1 layer of fabric and back again.
My question is this- should the bobbin thread be showing? There is no bobbin thread on the applique itself, just on the stitches that are on the background. It finally occurred to me that this might be perfectly normal and I am trying to "fix" something that isn't broken!
Thanks for any and all help!
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,461
Ideally the 2 threads should meet in the middle of the fabric. You need to either loosen your top tension a bit or increase the bobbin tension a bit. Take a picture of your settings before moving anything so you can return them for regular sewing.
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Some machines have a little hole in the arm of the bobbin case that you thread the bobbin thread through to avoid this. My bernina has this. It is meant for using when doing machine applique or embroidery. It really is just the tiny little bit of extra pull the bobbin thread needs so it doesn't show on the top. Here is a link to a picture where you can clearly see the hole on that arm that sticks out of the bobbin case. https://www.walmart.com/ip/HONEYSEW-...7300/477662160
I don't know if your machine has this option.
I don't know if your machine has this option.
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Are you folding your fabric like you would for a “ blind hem”? If you are just sewing around the appliqué that stitch is going to show- maybe try a blanket stitch around the appliqué then your bobbin thread shouldn’t show.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
Thanks for all the help and suggestions! I was sewing on a brand new Juki HZL-F600 which was to replace my 20 year old Pfaff. I was so excited thinking not only about quilting, but using the decorative stitches to sew my granddaughter a "fancy" Christmas dress. Does anyone remember the old Daisy Kingdom patterns?
.
Unfortunately, after working for two solid weeks on getting the tension adjusted, this machine is being returned. I made tiny changes in the top tension, bobbin tension, both tensions together, etc. and could never get the tension to work well. (Tiny changes which over time accumulated to big changes to no effect!) Tech support at the online seller could not fix the issue either.
I finally figured this out (why didn't I think of this earlier?) by pulling out my semi-retired PFAFF non-computerized model. With minor tension adjustments, it worked perfectly! No blind stitch feature, but a narrow ziz-zag had NO bobbin thread anywhere!
I was using the Superior Monopoly thread, which I love! Now, back to the drawing board for a new machine with a few whistles and bells. I still have hopes for a pretty Christmas dress for a 2 year old!
.
Unfortunately, after working for two solid weeks on getting the tension adjusted, this machine is being returned. I made tiny changes in the top tension, bobbin tension, both tensions together, etc. and could never get the tension to work well. (Tiny changes which over time accumulated to big changes to no effect!) Tech support at the online seller could not fix the issue either.
I finally figured this out (why didn't I think of this earlier?) by pulling out my semi-retired PFAFF non-computerized model. With minor tension adjustments, it worked perfectly! No blind stitch feature, but a narrow ziz-zag had NO bobbin thread anywhere!
I was using the Superior Monopoly thread, which I love! Now, back to the drawing board for a new machine with a few whistles and bells. I still have hopes for a pretty Christmas dress for a 2 year old!
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
I hope you find a satisfactory solution. I still work on my 60+ year-old Singer 401A. I'll never get rid of it as it does nearly anything that the Bernina does (just need a few more manual tweaks). It has never been in hospital as I keep in serviced myself.
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Walker Missouri
Posts: 199
Thanks for all the help and suggestions! I was sewing on a brand new Juki HZL-F600 which was to replace my 20 year old Pfaff. I was so excited thinking not only about quilting, but using the decorative stitches to sew my granddaughter a "fancy" Christmas dress. Does anyone remember the old Daisy Kingdom patterns?
.
Unfortunately, after working for two solid weeks on getting the tension adjusted, this machine is being returned. I made tiny changes in the top tension, bobbin tension, both tensions together, etc. and could never get the tension to work well. (Tiny changes which over time accumulated to big changes to no effect!) Tech support at the online seller could not fix the issue either.
I finally figured this out (why didn't I think of this earlier?) by pulling out my semi-retired PFAFF non-computerized model. With minor tension adjustments, it worked perfectly! No blind stitch feature, but a narrow ziz-zag had NO bobbin thread anywhere!
I was using the Superior Monopoly thread, which I love! Now, back to the drawing board for a new machine with a few whistles and bells. I still have hopes for a pretty Christmas dress for a 2 year old!
.
Unfortunately, after working for two solid weeks on getting the tension adjusted, this machine is being returned. I made tiny changes in the top tension, bobbin tension, both tensions together, etc. and could never get the tension to work well. (Tiny changes which over time accumulated to big changes to no effect!) Tech support at the online seller could not fix the issue either.
I finally figured this out (why didn't I think of this earlier?) by pulling out my semi-retired PFAFF non-computerized model. With minor tension adjustments, it worked perfectly! No blind stitch feature, but a narrow ziz-zag had NO bobbin thread anywhere!
I was using the Superior Monopoly thread, which I love! Now, back to the drawing board for a new machine with a few whistles and bells. I still have hopes for a pretty Christmas dress for a 2 year old!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post