Should I rip the whole thing out??? Help please!!

[lpepperl]

I began free motion quilting a throw size quilt today using Sulky thread. I noticed a small spot in my piecing that needed some repair. When I began the repair, I noticed that my thread broke. I began to pull and noticed that it kept breaking (can I just say that it is a brand new spool). I was 3/4 of the way finished quilting the darn thing and now I find out that the thread is awful!!! Do I take my chances that what I've already done will stay intact OR do I rip everything out and start over. It's a patriotic throw quilt for my husband's birthday (July 19) and I am pushing a deadline and furious!! Please give your best advice. Also, PLEASE recommend a better thread. Ughhhhhhhh!!!!!! Thank you, in advance, for your pity and your advice!! Lynn

[sassygranny]

OMG! You poor thing! To tell you the truth, I'd probably not rip it. It's a seasonal quilt. Probably won't get as much wear and washing as a non-seasonal quilt will. Plus, just normal wear and tear won't subject the thread to as much stress as your pulling on it. I'd take my chances and just go with it. You can always rip and re-quilt later if it doesn't hold up.

[Cat77]

Oh no! What a pickle!

How dense is your quilting? Could you finish it with this thread, then go back in and add more with another, better thread?

[lpepperl]

I am stippling so it is quite dense. I don't think I can go back over it with anything.

[Cat77]

I am stippling so it is quite dense. I don't think I can go back over it with anything.

Too bad!

Can you make a small test sandwich and do some tugging and roughing up to see how the thread holds up?
How much is your husband going to use it? Maybe you could suggest using it as a wall hanging in his man cave or something?

[Madeforyouinma11]

Personally, I would not rip it out. The quilt is staying in your home so if the quilting does come out, you can repair it with a different thread down the road. Also, since it is staying in your home, I would use it the way it was intended to be used and wash it as often as needed, knowing that you can repair it if necessary. I would also finish it in a different thread. Why keep using something you know isn't working for you? The quilting will strengthen the seams so you might be ok.
I'm so sorry that you have done so much work before realizing what happened. Hope it all works out for you. Would love to see a pic of the quilt.

[easyquilts]

I am stippling so it is quite dense. I don't think I can go back over it with anything.

In that case, I would NOT start ripping.... It will be just fine...

[Sheena]

How about changing the needle? I've used Sulky and it's gorgeous adn I've hoad no problem with it. Although if I hand sew with it then it unravels and sort of drifts apart.

[lpepperl]

Thank you to everyone who tried to help me!!! It's so nice to be able to panic with friends who not only FEEL your pain, but give great advice. I'm going to finish it the way I began and see what happens. We live in South Alabama and my husband is rarely cold. The quilt will not be used often...he will just LOVE knowing that I made it for him. I'll post a pic sometime this week when I'm completely finished!! Thanks!!

[JCY]

Is your spool of thread on the machine's spindle or on a separate one that stands on the table, designed for cones? The last quilt I did FMQ on, I was using YLI, which my LQS shop tells me is closer to 30 wt. than 40. It worked better to place it on the freestanding spindle. The upper tension needed some serious adjustment as well. Another problem could be that the tension in the bobbin needs adjustment. I now have 2 bobbins, 1 adjusted for FMQ & 1 adjusted for regular piecing. Make sure you're using a Top Stitch 90-14 quilting needle; it has a larger eye for the thread to move through. Also, keep the bobbin area of your machine very clean. FMQ creates a build-up of fuzz very quickly. I usually clean that area every other bobbin change when FMQ. JCY