FrammaJoy Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 I have spent days doing all the stitching around the applique and the SID on a pretty quilt I spent weeks making. Finally got to the FUN part using 7 spools of Rainbow Variegated thread. All I have done for the last three hours is pick out every single bit of it because it keeps on breaking!!!! No burrs. Remember I finished all the SID and outline stitching without a single break, BUT I was using regular thread for that (not variegated and not Rainbow). I have the bobbin so loose it drops to the floor. The tension is completely loose on top and I am not using the hook. I've tried using and not using it. Breaks faster if in it, which means it breaks after 5 stitches instead of 10. )-: Of course, it is Saturday, so I can't call anyone. I read all the APQS tips. Turned the eyes around. Changed the needle twice. Don't have another spool of the same color thread. The entire quilt is BATIKS. Does anyone know how to get this thread to behave? TIA, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Deming Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Is the top thread "caught" in a pig-tail screw, maybe? That occasionally happens to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrammaJoy Posted July 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 No. Not catching anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Barna Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 It seems counter intuitive, but tighten the top thread... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlnewell Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Try stitching with another thread on some batik scraps. If there's no breakage then it's the thread. I personally don't have issues with thread breaking when I quilt batiks instead of regular quilting cottons. I know it's annoying dealing with thread breaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Joy; When I first got my George, I had all kinds of issues with thread breaks (top thread). APQS told me to try running the thread through only 2 holes in the thread bar by the needle. That worked for me. Hopefully it will help you. Jamie Wallen has a YouTube video, where he discusses that every hole adds some 20 pounds of thread tension. If you have the tensioner loose, then that is the only way I know of decreasing the top tension. Here are some forum threads that may help; http://forum.apqs.com/topic/37335-i-really-need-your-help-top-thread-breaking/#comment-510199 http://forum.apqs.com/topic/36600-top-thread-breaking/#comment-502856 Rita lives on with her knowledge and solutions. Cagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrammaJoy Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 OKAY! Thank you all so very much. I tightened the top tension. Then I unthreaded the thread path that had thread in all three holes above tension disk. I put thread straight down through only one hole. WALAH!!!! No break this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Barna Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Wonderful!! We discovered this trick many years ago...It also came in handy on my home sewing machine when I was using a thin slippery thread, and it kept breaking...tighten the top tension, no more troubles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Joy; I am glad things worked out for you. If you don't have one, get a small notebook and write down the thread used and how you ran the thread. This way you can repeat your results without issue, by referencing your notes in the future. Also, record the fabric/batting, so you have a good idea how to handle them if it is not your normal configuration. It is amazing how quickly we forget the details after a few weeks of not doing things. Cagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrammaJoy Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 I sure do know THAT is true! I do good to remember my name these days. Will put it on my Rolodex. I keep tons of notes and quilt designs on my Rolodex. I have a tab for leaves, bugs, swirls, geometric, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 On 7/23/2017 at 8:37 AM, FrammaJoy said: OKAY! Thank you all so very much. I tightened the top tension. Then I unthreaded the thread path that had thread in all three holes above tension disk. I put thread straight down through only one hole. WALAH!!!! No break this time. I have found that if the thread "bounces" in the tension spring/knob as you pull on it (testing the tension - while threaded through the needle) that the "bouncing" actually causes issues. So, you should tighten until the bouncing on tension spring stops and the spring stays somewhere between 7:00 and 8:00 on the clock as you pull the thread to test the tension. That seems to work for me! I usually thread through the top and the bottom tension loops. In general, over the years, I've discovered that "TOP THREAD NOT TIGHTENED ENOUGH" is about 90% of the cause of thread issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 Joy; I must ask, what is this "Rolodex" you speak of? I asked my daughters about it, and they have no clue what it is or does. When I spoke about the Palm Pilot I used to have they looked at me like I had a third eye. We are living history courses to them, it makes me laugh. Have a great day Cagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrammaJoy Posted July 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 How funny! A Rolodex is a container that you can turn that holds 2 1/2" x 4" cards to put your names and addresses on. I'm sure most people use their phones now, but I love mine because I can draw pictures on it of quilt designs. I'll show it in my next VLOG on You Tube. Just search "Joy Bernhardt" if interested, but the Rolodex won't be up for a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwiltr Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 Rolodex- https://www.staples.ca/rolodex/directory_rolodex_20051_1_20001?akamai-feo=off Google will give you more results. It's a great idea for filing and retrieving notes and I just might have to pick one of those up. I'm sure if you keep your eyes open, you might find a used one somewhere. We used them in the office for keeping contact info, before the days of everything being on your smartphone or computer! But I can see where this would be a great way to keep your little notes for quilting tips, as it's always the retrieval issue after you write it down! Great idea Joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 Joy; I was joking about the Rolodex. It is so before the internet and smart phones that my kids had no idea what it was. Though I can see it as a great tool for your notes and such. Hope you have balanced threads. Cagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 My Millie which is getting old, never liked the Rainbow Threads, I had to go to another brand of variegated. However, my industrial embroidery machines love Rainbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 How old is "old" for a Millie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrammaJoy Posted July 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 I HAVE A 2014 MILLIE UPDATE: I THINK THAT ONE SPOOL WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE I HAVE USED TWO OTHER COLORS NOW, AND I HAD TO GO BACK TO NORMAL SETTINGS TO USE THEM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Yea, glad it worked out. I guess I shouldn't have called my Millie old, she's mad at me now. She a 2009 model, but thinks she's a 2017. APQS machines are forever young, just like their operators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Thanks for the information about the variegated threads, I have actually tossed a spool that frustrated me so much I was sure that it was bad, next time I will try using less eyes in threading just like I do for monopoly thread... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegaslady Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 I got an email a few days ago, after reading this thread, and since I just saw it pop up again will mention that the seller (Red Rock Threads, in NV) said that the Rainbow Threads are being discontinued. Perhaps it's the thread and NOT the machine! When a line is completely scrapped, to me it means it's not doing well on the market. Guessing from the problems listed here, think how many others have problems! They are directing people to their Fantistico line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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