Linda McCartney Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 It was supposed to be an easy project - meandering on a baby quilt. But the top thread was way to obvious on the bottom quilt piece - it was showing too much - since I am a newbie at this I am not quite sure what to do to fix this. My class did not show me much on fixing tensions, etc. I have quilted four other quilts on the machine and did not have this problem. Sometimes the top thread looked loose on the top for a couple of stitches. But it was the stitching on the bottom and it was the top thread that kept showing - three or four large stitches. Help! I tore the stitches out and they came out easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltfarm Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Hi Linda It could be that your top tension is too loose (or your bobbin is too tight) the easiest tension to adjust is the top tension, try tightening it a little (left loose - right tight), adjust it in small increments and see if the result improves. Matching the weight of the top thread to the weight of the bottom thread may help too if you are using different threads top and bottom. I hope this helps. - Your manual should have advice on bobbin tension. I do adjust mine but I know some people don't like to - see what the experts say here and then decide whether to do it. Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Linda, This is how I do my tension. First I fix the bobbin tension where I want it. I keep mine looser. I hold the bobbin case in my hand and pull up on the thread tail. It should just lift up the bobbin case but not lift it off your hand. Next I loosen the top tension and begin stitching You stitches on top will look ugly. I tighten 1 turn at at time until it is close. Then once I get it close I tweak it by 1/4 turn at a time. This takes a little time but I find that I get the best tension. Give it a try and see what happens. If your top thread looks loose on top and is showing on the bottom then tighten the upper tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 I too get the bobbin tension set first as Heidi said. Then I work on the top tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Me too - but I keep my bobbin tension a little looser than Heidi. I work with the top tension until I see the bobbin thread in the holes created by the needle. You don't want the bobbin thread clear to the top - just see in the holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewlinzi Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Forgive me for asking an obvious question... is the needle the right way round? The bent area on the scarf needs to be at the back. I have looked at 2 friends' DSMs lately and they had inadvertently put a new needle in back to front... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VictoriaG Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Linda, Go to http://www.apqs.com/artists_dawnc_blog.php Read everything Dawn has written about tension. The March 23, 2009 article on the left panel is great. March 23, 2009 Tension Troubles? Let me Teach You The Secret Handshake! Knowing what has to be adjusted is your first step. vg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celine Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 I have a new problem...my thread keeps breaking on top...the bobbin thread showing on top...I just changed my needle and trying to adjust the eye to be straight in front...but it works a bit better when the eye is a bit on the right...but the thread still breaks 2 minutes later....there is no place around my house that gives courses on longarm...I don''t know anyone that has one that could help....it's a tin lizzie 18 and I'm getting very frustrated...and I want to finish this project so I can start my other one.....this one was just a practice project which is getting to be a nightmare...HELP ANYONE!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Your top tension is too tight. Loosen it a little (counter clockwise) and that should sove your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Sounds like you need to loosen your top tension. You may also need to loosen your bottom tension. Make sure the needle is inserted all the way up and that the indent is at the back. If anything, the eye should be a little to the left (not the right) - say 25 to the hour if looking at it as though it was the minute hand on a clock. Don't despair, I think everyone has gone through this. You will find your happy place! You will find your happy place... You will find your happy place... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celine Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Thank you for answering me so fast....I will go and try it.....another small question....on the needle...there is the part of the shaft that you can put your finger nail up and down....does it go to the front or the back? Thanks again Celine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 The long ridge is at the front - it's purpose is to align the thread. The scarf is an indentation that looks more like a cut out just above the eye. That goes to the back. Does this help? The APQS manual that you should have gotten with your machine has a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbigailE Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 If I may be so graphic, I am a visual. I think of the needle as being correct when it looks like a knights armor cod piece made to protect the family jewels. No offense intended at all. The correct way would be if you were directly facing said knight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Abigail, ROFLMAO! Yup protect them jewels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Great analogy! I have to remember that one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 I always turn my needle a little towards the right (35 minutes on the clock). That works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 I read somewhere to think - Dolly Parton's boobies have to be facing your boobies when you are at the front. So the thread can sit between them. It works for me! And I am NOT well endowed. Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Could you please tell us what threads you are using. Top and bobbin? It could be your threads or thread combinations. Maybe. Or are you using a new batting that you have never used before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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