thread

[craftysuzy98]

I have a 2005 gammill classic plus. I'm new to long arm quilting. Bought it used. Works great but trying to find thread that will work and look best. I don't do fancy stuff just want a nice look on top and bottom. What thread would u recommend?

[Sharon Deming]

Hi Suzy. I have an APQS - was new to longarming when I bought it. APQS recommends Superior Threads, especially for new longarmers. www.superiorthreads.com. Don't use sewing machine thread - it's too weak. I like to use Superior's SoFine #50 (50 weight) on top, and their Bottom Line (60 weight) in the bobbin. Wide range of very nice colors. Once you get really familiar with your machine and your quilting, then branch out to other types and brands. There are lots of great threads out there.

[gardenslug]

Agree with Sharon.  the Superior So Fine works great for me and that is the first thread I used on a regular basis.  Have branched out into other threads, but still use a lot of So Fine.

 

Marilyn

[qltnbe]

I use So -Fine top and bottom if I wind my own bobbins.  If I buy pre-wounds, then I use Fil-Tec and I absolutely love Glide thread.  It's a little heavier and has a great luster to it.  These are definitely my go-to threads though.  

[Corey]

I use prewound classic bobbin thread from Filtec almost all the time, it's thin like bottom line but there is limited colors available. My customers like Glide threads, I love it too.

[LeeAnn]

I also have a Gammill and I can run most any thread in it.  But I haven't tried metallic or the invisible thread.  I have used Connecting Threads "Essential Pro", So-Fine, Perma core, Floriani, Metro emb thread, and Wonderfil.  The Essential Pro is my favorite just because of the price.  If price were not a concern I like So-fine, less lint.  Hope that helps.

[Cagey]

Suzy:

 

Since you are new to longarm quilting, I might suggest you find a thread you like and use that thread combination for a few quilts until you get comfortable with making tension adjustments.  With tension problems that can pop up from different fabrics, battings, and tension on the sandwich, why throw another variable in your mix when you are trying to figure things out?  Make your life easy, and enjoy your new toy until you learn how to deal with all the issues that can pop up.  Quilting should be fun, not a chore.  

 

While we are discussing thread, how does everyone keep the thread spool from unwinding when there is no thread grabber on the spool?  I store my thread in Plano storage boxes that I picked up from a box store.  I use those tiny baby hair bands with a strip of paper with the thread color to control my bobbins from unwinding between thread changes or for storage.

 

Cagey

[craftysuzy98]

Thank all of u for your advice. LeeAnn I think u discovered my true problem. I've been blaming thread and it's actually a tension problem. I live so far away from a dealer that I have been self teaching. I have bought essential pro but it kept breaking . But I have not adjusted tension.

[cegates]

Cagey,

Hugo's Amazing Tape is great for wrapping around spools of thread to keep them from unwinding.

Carol

[Cagey]

Suzy:

 

I would try calling Gammill customer service and see if they can listen to your machine when you quilt.  Dawn did this with me, after listening to my issues.  She had me rethread my machine skipping on of the holes in the thread bar above the tension disk.  That fixed it, and is how I run my George since then.  I believe their is a Superior Thread Dr. Thread video on their webpage that discusses that if a thread is breaking; with no burs on the thread path, then the tension is too tight.  That was my problem with the tension disks real loose, the tension was still to high, and my upper thread was breaking.  Skipping a hole loosened the tension enough that I could control it with the tension disk.  You might try that, and see if it fixes your issues.

 

 

 

Carol:

 

I will check that out online.  Thank you.

 

Cagey

[LeeAnn]

Yes, once you find your sweet spot for tension, many troubles are fixed. 

 

I loosened my tension on my bobbin.  If you have a Towa gauge you can set each bobbin of different thread to the same tension once you have figured out what works best for you.  Otherwise Jamie Wallen has a good video on youtube that shows you how to set it without a gauge.

Good luck!

[dbams]

Be advised that the Jamie Wallen video, although helpful, does not apply to every machine.  Although I know a lot of APQS (and other brand) users can run their machines that way, I found that his method caused big tension issues for me.  Every machine is different, and for me, the best thing is the Towa gauge.

 

Jamie has a lot of great videos on You Tube, and I'm not saying his tension method is bad, just that it doesn't work for me.

[quiltedsunflower]

Ditto to Hugo's Amazing Tape.  I have an embroidery machine and lots of those spools don't have slits to store the thread ends, so I use it for those ends, too.  It's great stuff!!!

[RitaR]

Where can we find the Hugo's tape?

 

Amazing what came ujp in a search.  rofl

 

thanks, hugs,

[Parm]

Hey Suzy, If you haven't already, purchase Rick Taylor's Maintenance DVD, its the best, tells you everything you need to know. 

[BBB]

Local APQS dealer suggested Superior Omni on top and Bottom Line in bobbin--haven't found any better thread combination!  Try it in light Lemon (a very light yellow) that is less harsh than white or cream--definitely my favorite neutral.

[Gator]

Everyone gave you great advice.  If you still have problems, call Superior Threads and explain what's happening with your machine.  Bob and his gang is great.  Welcome to our group, we love all longarm quilters no matter the machine brand.

[quiltedsunflower]

I got my Hugo's Amazing tape from the Superior Threads website.  I, too, use it on embroidery thread spools.  I also use it on my wrapping paper rolls!   Lots of uses for that stuff.