cathyvv

Yesterday I spent about 3 hours trying to quilt ONE row of a quilt - end to end patter on my long arm. I actually picked it out about 1/3 of the way across 3 times. Crazy.

I couldn't figure out why it wasn't quilting nicely any more. The first two rows quilted very smoothly, then I changed the bobbin. I tried everything i could think of to get it to work. After the 3rd 'pick out', I finally questioned the bobbin itself.

It was wound correctly. So I pinched it between my thumbnail and pointer finger nails and unwound some thread. That was the key - as the thread unwound from the bobbin, the bobbin wobbled! I did the same thing with another bobbin - no wobble. After carefully examining the bad bobbin again, I realized that the bobbin was slightly bent inward on one side. If I hadn't done the unwinding thing, I would never have seen it!

Inserted another bobbin and the third row quilted correctly! I was so relieved!

Tartan

​Glad you found the problem!

dunster

I have been told that this is one problem that the TOWA gauge will find. I wonder how the bobbin got bent. Was it a manufacturing defect, or had you used it successfully before?

Pam S

How frustrating for you. My LA dealer told me that bobbins can bend just by being dropped on the floor and, even if you can't see it, a slight bend can really mess up your stitching.

QuiltnNan

thanks for sharing your valuable experience

AnnieSue

Thanks for the insight. Not sure I would have thought of that.

laurafet

Yayyy!!! You have to keep looking. I have decided that the first place I have to look when there is a problem is the bobbin. That usually solves the issue.

JustAbitCrazy

So glad you figured out the problem. Not sure I would have thought of that. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. We all need to share our knowledge, for sure!

amethystmtn

Thanks for sharing. I would never have unwound the bobbin like that. I will definatly add that trick to my trouble shooting list!
-Amy

gsbuffalo

thanks for the heads up.