tension issues while quilting. HELP!

[DJ_Nichol]

So I am attempting to quilt my newest project (second quilt ever) and I am having tension issues. Have ripper out twice now. My first project was a much smaller lap quilt and quilted like a breeze! Second one not so much!!!! all my settings are the same, but I keep getting bottom buggers and I am not sure of the cause. I have tried..................

Changing the spool and the bobbin thread. My walking foot seems to be in order. My settings are the same as last time tension at 2.5 and stitch length at 3.0. 100% cotton all the way, batting and fabric. Please tell this newbie what she is doing wrong!?!?!

TIA,
Donna

[vchale]

Several things can be issues. If it didn't happen with smaller project, it could be drag, make sure the weight of your quilt is supported. Check threading of needle and bobbin, change needle. Make sure your presser foot is up when you thread the top. Are you using same thread on top and bobbin? Some machines are picky. Good luck.

[RiverMomm]

I have had the same thing happen in the past.

Change the needle
Put in a new bobbin
Rethread the machine
Eat some chocolate
Make sure you are holding the quilt up in the front and also not letting it drag in the back. That weight can cause problems.
Try adjusting the upper tension
Change to a different thread (the last time, my machine hated the thread. Once I changed it, the machine was happy again. It was weird because it was the same brand, just different colors).

If all else fails, turn off your machine and walk away for 20 minutes or so. Then turn it back on.

Good luck! We have all be there.

[sleepydiver]

new bobbin- seriously this is 99% of all my nests. Usually the bobbin is wound funky. Also change the needle - there could be burs on it. And like everyone else said, make sure your quilt is supported.

[Sheena]

Check your machine manual. Do you need to lower one of the tension setting options? I've never used my walking foot but when I was lookingup something else on the online manual I'm sure I saw that when using the walking foot I need to lower on of the tension settings. I've got a Janome 8900.

[DJ_Nichol]

I think it might be drag. I am going to make a smaller test sandwich and see what happens. I was struggling with stuffing all the bulk thru the throat. TY EVERYONE!

Blessings!

Donna

[JCY]

I have never quilted at a tension lower than 3.8 on the top. (I have a Viking Opal 670) Do some stitching on a practice sandwich, made with the same fabrics & batting as your quilt. Adjust the tension until the stitching looks right. Write down your setting so you'll remember it for future reference. Are you using a Top Stitch 90-14 needle? The eye is larger & the thread moves through it more easily. Do you need to adjust any settings on your computer screen? On my machine, I have options for fabrics (light, med., heavy) as well as stitch lengths, etc. For some reason, with my machine my FMQ looks better using woven fabric light. (My machine automatically adjusts the tension according to the settings.)

Other things to check:

- Is your thread on the machine spool holder or a cone on a separate stand?
- What weight thread are you using? Piecing thread (50 wt.) or quilting thread (40 wt.) If you're using something like YLI, which is closer to 30 wt., you may need to adjust the tension setting on your bobbin holder.
- Is your bobbin area clean?
- Are you using a Sew Steady Extension Table or is your machine recessed into a table top so you have a flat surface on which to move the quilt sandwich?
- Have you waxed your quilting surface or are you using a Supreme Slider?
- Support the quilt on all sides so there is no drag.
- Do you need to slow down the speed?

I hope you can get things adjusted so you get the stitch quality you're looking for. Good luck!

[kimsophia]

Oh man, stuffing all the bulk through the throat...takes me back to last spring... bleh!

[Peggi]

Make sure your presser foot is lowered. I made this mistake several times before I finally learned.

If that's not the issue, then check your upper thread. Nests on the bottom of the quilt mean issues with the top thread, so unthread it, clean the tension discs, re-thread it, make sure the thread path is not blocked somehow (my second mistake, it always seemed to catch on the handle).

[Meghan Plamondon]

After I check the above mentioned ideas, sometimes I just switch to a practice piece of scrap, change my stitch to a zig zag, or something else different, then come back to my straight stitch. It seems for me by changing my stitch type, it evens things out. Just a thought.