Sew, What's Up

Sew What’s Up Presents

The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: JeanneK
Date: 03-11-2006, 06:30 PM (1 of 7)
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)
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. :smile:
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
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)
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)
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... :bg:
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: JeanneK
Date: 03-20-2006, 07:49 PM (6 of 7)
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)
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
Sew, What's Up
Search the “Sew What’s New” Archive:
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-18514.html