Cat n Bull
 
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Date: 11/7/12 6:55 PM I just got my machine back. It definitely had some timing issues and was full of lint inside.
Brought it home and it sews like it used to again...YAY~~
Put the silk #100 in it for FMQ and WOW it's awesome!
Put the coats and clark 100% cotton in to FMQ and it breaks after a short while.
I loosened the tension to the point where it was looping on the back and I had to pull the stitching out.
I do not think the machine has mechanical problems, I think she is a DIVA and demands silk!
Silk is too expensive to always quilt with, what the heck am I supposed to use?????
I just ordered some Superior cotton #50 to try. I also have some Auriful #50 to try, but none of it is a color I need for this monster quilt. 
The poly and cotton/poly, all of it coats and clark from my garment and costume making days, break when I try to FMQ with it. So does the serger thread on the big cones.
I have NO issues with any other thing I do with this machine, it is just FMQ that is giving me fits! ------
Cathryn |
PattyGee
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Date: 11/7/12 7:23 PM Cat - Sorry that this is happening to you. What are you using in the bobbin? I have used bottom line in my bobbin, DMC cotton or auriifl. Maybe some of the experts have an idea?
Question: I am using minky for the back of two quilts and am thinking of using a filling of warm and natural have you ever done this? I think I need it for the fmq I want to do to give some stability to the quilting. Any advice?
 ------
Patty
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Warbler
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In reply to Cat n Bull <<
Date: 11/7/12 7:26 PM Silk is expensive to quilt with, I agree but it blends so nicely into the quilt that you get some nice texture in the quilting because of it. But to switch from silk 100 wt to 50 wt cotton means that you have to adjust the tension. For quilting I would loosen the bobbin tension first then tighten the the upper thread tension to about 5-6. I would loosen about a 1/4 turn on the bobbin case and then test. I would keep testing until you get the tension you want. Also I hope you are using the correct needle size and type. I find topstitch needles work best for quilting but you have to test those too. A 12 would be good for the silk and 14 for the cotton.
If none of this works perhaps there is a burr somewhere along the thread path. Did you has your tech to check for that. Did he get a good look at the tension discs? ------
Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91 |
Cat n Bull
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Date: 11/7/12 7:47 PM Quote: Warbler
Silk is expensive to quilt with, I agree but it blends so nicely into the quilt that you get some nice texture in the quilting because of it. But to switch from silk 100 wt to 50 wt cotton means that you have to adjust the tension. For quilting I would loosen the bobbin tension first then tighten the the upper thread tension to about 5-6. I would loosen about a 1/4 turn on the bobbin case and then test. I would keep testing until you get the tension you want. Also I hope you are using the correct needle size and type. I find topstitch needles work best for quilting but you have to test those too. A 12 would be good for the silk and 14 for the cotton.
If none of this works perhaps there is a burr somewhere along the thread path. Did you has your tech to check for that. Did he get a good look at the tension discs?
I do not think I can adjust the bobbin tension in my machine! It doesn't have a bobbin case like my old machines used to have, where you can adjust the screw. I can adjust the top thread tension, and I loosened it but did not try tightening it.
I have been using brand new topstitch needles, size 12 for the silk and 14 for the cotton.
I have the C&C 100% cotton in the bobbin, and there are no issues on the underside of the quilt. I have always used 100% cotton in the bobbin for quilting with silk on top.
The only other time I've tried something else on top was the serger thread. I was not real surprised when it broke with FMQ- I have heard that it is known for breaking in FMQ.
The technician knew it was FMQ I was having trouble with, and he showed me the piece he tested the machine on. Perfect stitches!
I just had a DUH! moment~ I need to ask him what thread he used! I know he used Aurifil in the bobbin, because that's what I put in it to take it in, and I put a 12 needle in it too.
I know he took the machine covers off until it was bare bones and cleaned EVERYTHING. He did say there was lint in the tension disks.
This FMQ is a VERY frustrating process!!!!!
Am I having problems because I use fleece for the backs instead of cotton? This monster quilt has Dream Puff batting- the quilt is thick and puffy and AWESOMELY cuddly for my 2 year old grandson!
------
Cathryn |
Cat n Bull
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Date: 11/7/12 7:55 PM Quote: PattyGee
Question: I am using minky for the back of two quilts and am thinking of using a filling of warm and natural have you ever done this? I think I need it for the fmq I want to do to give some stability to the quilting. Any advice?
I haven't used warm and natural yet. I have used Kyoto bamboo/cotton blend, which is about the same thickness as the warm and natural, (I had both but chose the Kyoto) and some 100% fusible I got in a box of stuff from ebay (I did NOT like the fusible stuff!)
Minky is WAYYYYY thicker than the cuddle dry micro fleece I use for backs. I DO think batting makes it easier to quilt, but the warm and natural might be too much. What about polyester batting? It holds it's shape so well and it also very light.
I am absolutely LOVING the end result with the Quilters Dream Puff and the fleece back. I think it would be too think for minky though, would make it more like a comforter.------
Cathryn |
SewBusy63
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In reply to Cat n Bull <<
Date: 11/7/12 7:58 PM I use Bottom Line by Superior Threads and buy it Sewthankful.com.
I use white, silver and taupe. That's it. The silver will blend with lighter and pastels, the taupe darker fabrics.
Here's two videos: Bottom Line
Bottom Line Polyester Thread
-- Edited on 11/7/12 7:59 PM -- ------
~Diana~
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✝The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1✝
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Cat n Bull
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Date: 11/7/12 8:13 PM Quote: SewBusy63 I use Bottom Line by Superior Threads and buy it Sewthankful.com.
I use white, silver and taupe. That's it. The silver will blend with lighter and pastels, the taupe darker fabrics.
Here's two videos: Bottom Line
Bottom Line Polyester Thread
-- Edited on 11/7/12 7:59 PM --
you use it for the tops or in the bobbin?
I actually have some, I used it in the bobbin when I pre-quilted the monster squares. I also used it when I made the dog bed cover(forgot about that! It was the only thing I've ever quilted with a cotton back instead of a fleece back!)
hmmm.....of course the color I have is not going to work for the monster quilt, but it's definitely worth trying to see if my machine likes it!
One of the testing problems I am having is everything works GREAT for a little bit. It's only after I have been sewing for a while the top thread starts to break.
edit: I just watched the videos and I am SO EXCITED right now! I really do prefer the stitching to be inconspicuous, I am going to try this thread since my machine seems to like thinner threads best for FMQ!
Thanks!!
-- Edited on 11/7/12 8:26 PM -- ------
Cathryn |
Warbler
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In reply to Cat n Bull <<
Date: 11/7/12 8:22 PM Quote:
I do not think I can adjust the bobbin tension in my machine! It doesn't have a bobbin case like my old machines used to have, where you can adjust the screw.
OK, so what machine are you talking about... What type of hook does it have? Rotary or oscillating... Other?
Quote:
Am I having problems because I use fleece for the backs instead of cotton? This might be the very problem but I would still be interested in the hook of your machine and why there is no adjustment for the bobbin case. Have you spoken to your tech about this? ------
Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91 |
Cat n Bull
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Date: 11/7/12 8:29 PM Quote: Warbler
OK, so what machine are you talking about... What type of hook does it have? Rotary or oscillating... Other?
I am not sure what kind of hook it has! The machine is a Pfaff Creative 4.0.
I didn't talk to the tech because it never even crossed my mind to try it! The machine does so much automatically....and it sews beautifully on everything I have ever tried with it. FMQ is the first time I have ever been challenged by it.------
Cathryn |
Miss Fairchild
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In reply to Cat n Bull <<
Date: 11/7/12 8:37 PM The issue is obviously the thread. Coats and Clarks of today is not the same as C&C of yesterday. Lay an old spool of thread next to a newer one and you can quickly see the difference. Today's thread is much thinner.
What I use to FMQ is Star cotton thread. Its sheen is similar to Mettler, however, it's much less expensive. You can find it in any quilt shop; I also use it for piecing. Wonderful stuff and not one of my babies gives me fits with it--not one. ------
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