Does your machine have a good straight stitch feature for top stitching quilt tops?

[coffeebreak]

I have two Pfaff machines and they both do a beautiful straight stitch whether piecing or going through four layers of Soft and Stable. Both have IDT. They also have five rows of feed dogs. I never have to pull fabric through. My previous machine was a Huskystar by Viking and I had trouble going through thick fabric with it. My 1965 Singer would also go through anything. It died about 10 years ago. I do wish I had kept it.

Now that you mention it...it does only have 2 rows of feed dogs! And they are not the long in the front ,but longer in the back. I bet that is my problem right there...this machine doesn't like going over more than 2 thickness...so I can't press to the side and then match as 3 layers....it struggles and usually doesn't make it unless I pull at it from the back to get it to go over the seams. Hadn't thought about how many "rows"...I will make sure I keep that in mind when i look at new machine.....MANY rows of feed dogs! Thanks sso much for mentioning that

[coffeebreak]

I am beginning to think you got a lemon with your 9960 with all your thread issues, tension and now not sewing straight when quilting. I have the same machine and haven't experienced any of these problems (knock on wood). If you are not buying a new machine shortly, I suggest taking your machine to be serviced.

Lemon? Wouldn't surprise me at all!

[coffeebreak]

Are you using a walking foot when you have more than just two layers of fabric? There is no way I could use my regular foot if I was doing a bulky quilt. Sometimes even the walking foot on my Singer is sluggish to get fabric through and I have to pull a bit.

Yes, it does this on the walking foot. I just was working on a quilt...cotton top and back and a slightly thick batting. It just wouldn't feed it through.

[coffeebreak]

This might be a dumb question. Dont most machines have a way to raise the pressor foot a little? I need to see if my machine does. Gotta get out my book. I can quilt ok, but I do notice when I use my walking foot when quilting iy can get sluggish sometimes. It might be a bit thick at times I think. Hopefully those in the know might comment please.

I didn't know that was a possible option! I'll check my manual

[coffeebreak]

My last machine, a babylock, drove me absolutely crazy with its useless plastic walking foot. It jumped and hopped, the sandwich didn’t feed well… I loathed that stupid walking foot. So I feel your pain.
I can’t say enough good things about the dual feed system on the Bernina 750 Quilters Edition. It is a million times better! Just beautiful, even straight stitches without a walking foot. It’s also great going over bulky seams, i.e. pinwheel corners. It keeps straight and doesn’t veer over to the seam allowance and I don’t have to tug and pull on the piecing.

This walking foot is metal, but it is so loud, I hate using it! Drives me nuts as I have to stop after about 10 minutes and take a break cause the noise is nerve racking! I'll check into dual feed system when I shop

[coffeebreak]

I had a similar problem once with my Brother. But mine was my own fault being new to sewing and not having anyone around to teach me about cleaning my machine. I fought with a JRR for my niece using words that would embarrass a sailor. After I finished I figured I could not do any more damage to my machine then it already had so I got brave and removed the screws that held the plate down and discovered a whole lot of lint around my feed dogs keeping it from moving properly. I know this is more then likely not your problem but just wanted to let you know I know how you feel about having to pull your quilt through.

a
It isn't, but only because a long time ago, I learned the same way you did!!! Now, I clean it often. And always, clean it when I start a new quilt/project and always when I finish anything with batting. And then in between times. I cleaned it before starting this today. It really does make a difference!

[coffeebreak]

My brother 1500 does great straight stitch. Sometimes I use the darning foot but mostly just use the 1/4" foot. It goes right through lots of layers, I do adjust the pressure of the presser foot and upper thread tension. It also has 4 positions for the feed dogs instead of just up and down.

Now that iis interesting....multiple positons for the feed dogs. I think feed dogs ares my problem after reading so many things here. there are just two feed dogs, one beside the other, two in the front, 2 in the back. Front are short, back are longer I think it isn't enough to pull the bulk of the quilt and I didn't know presser foot could be adjusted. I'll look at my manual for that.

[Dalronix]

I am beginning to think you got a lemon with your 9960 with all your thread issues, tension and now not sewing straight when quilting. I have the same machine and haven't experienced any of these problems (knock on wood). If you are not buying a new machine shortly, I suggest taking your machine to be serviced.

I have to agree with this. I've had a 9960 for a about 18 months now and have done a couple of queen size quilts with heavy flannel backing on them on it and haven't had any problems with the feed dogs or straight line stitching.

I actually like it better than the $2900 machine I bought earlier this year. (I won't name this one as it's really a great machine. I'm just a lot more comfortable using my 9960.)

[Iris Girl]

I have had machines in the past that don't like lots of layers. That was one of the reasons I went to Pfaff the IDT is glorious and goes over anything.
When I worked for Viking, I sewed on vikings and singers as thats what they sold and I had to use. Still prefer my Pfaff over either of those.

[Eriepatch]

Cheri, I also have the Singer Quantum 9960 and don't have a problem sewing through layers.
In fact, when I made this tote, I straight stitched through 2 layers of fabric, a layer of batting
and a layer of very stiff fusible interfacing.
After I was about half way done I realized I had even forgotten to put my walking foot on.
No problems whatsoever and very nice stitching. Crooked lines due to user error
I do believe it's your machine.

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