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From: JeanneK
Date: 03-11-2006, 06:30 PM (1 of 7)
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Hi, guys, my first post here: I've been hand-piecing and machine-piecing quilts for years now, but never got into the quilting aspect. I've finally gotten up the courage to try free-motion machine quilting on my old Bernina 1001. I dropped the feed dogs, checked my tension (having a bit of a problem with the upper tension being a little too tight, with thread breaking until I set the dial lower), and had at it. I'm using Harriet Hargrave's wonderful book as my reference. I'm doing just fine with the standard "sewing a straight line" or a very gentle curve. But when I attempt to sew sideways, or "backwards" -- no dice. The upper thread doesn't pick up the bobbin thread at all. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong here? Same cotton thread (Conso) in upper and bobbin. Thanks! Jeanne |
User: JeanneK
Member since: 03-11-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: Sancin
Date: 03-11-2006, 07:15 PM (2 of 7)
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Welcome, Jeanne - you came to the right place for answers and I am sure will find the members a friendly bunch. I am far far from being an expert, or even very good at machine embroidery so consider that when I ask: Are you moving too fast or too far for the upper thread to have time to engage the bobbin thread? I tend to have similar problems and have not yet straightened them out. Advice says to go fast but I think it means steady medium speed as when I slowed down and move my piece more gently the thread seems to connect. Now if I can only get the embroidery to look like even stitches I will have it made! Could it be the needle? There are embroidery needles. A search online can show pictures of the difference. I forget if that is in HH's book as it is not handy to me and I have a first edition which is fairly old. Let us know what works, please. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: KayTee
Date: 03-11-2006, 07:18 PM (3 of 7)
| I had this problem a few weeks ago. I needed to change the foot on my machine to the darning foot - the one with the spring on it. Once I did that, everything worked out fine. |
User: KayTee
Member since: 12-06-2002 Total posts: 98 |
From: JeanneK
Date: 03-11-2006, 07:21 PM (4 of 7)
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I had this problem a few weeks ago. I needed to change the foot on my machine to the darning foot - the one with the spring on it. Once I did that, everything worked out fine. KayTee, I'm using the larger Bernina darning foot, made for my machine. (No spring on it, though.) Jeanne |
User: JeanneK
Member since: 03-11-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-11-2006, 10:06 PM (5 of 7)
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I free motion a LOT. I use my 'darning foot' (I have Janome's), a slow speed, a large needle (denim or top stitch), long stitches. (3 on MY machine). I also use quilting gloves. They have rubber on the fingers to help you move the quilt without killing your hands and shoulders. Keep the quilt up HIGH. ( I keep it on my shoulders (I'm short, but my quilting machine is in a regular cabinet), I keep it rolled to the right, and quilt starting from the center, left. I never let it drag. If you have trouble. You 'might' want to use a hoop. They make thin ones now, that will fit under the feet/needles. Use a steady motion, like you're just out for a stroll...don't push, don't pull, just guide it along...it takes practice, but once you get going, it's easier and easier... 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: JeanneK
Date: 03-20-2006, 07:49 PM (6 of 7)
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After reading Diane Gaudynski's book, I realized that the thread kept breaking because it was too large for the needle. I happened to have some YLI 100 silk thread, which Diane recommended, adjusted both top and bottom tension, and boom! Beautiful stitches in any direction. I am so psyched... I was beginning to think I'd never be able to learn to machine quilt. Now I'm getting ready to tackle some serious quilting! Jeanne |
User: JeanneK
Member since: 03-11-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-21-2006, 07:26 AM (7 of 7)
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Wow, 100 wt silk thread....that must be very fine stuff. When I am doing a bed quilt, I usually quilt with 50 wt cotton both top and bottom and I use a 80/12 needle. The only change I make is to tighten the top thread tension by two on my machine. But if I am doing wall hangings and want to decorate will use 40 wt or 30 wt thread usually with a 90/14 needle. I test the tension on a sample square and adjust the top thread so that it looks good top and bottom. PS, bed quilts take a lot of thread so 50wt is cheaper to use for the project!!! Good luck with your quilting. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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