A Thread About Threads.... And Free Motion Quilting

Hi all :)

I have recently pieced together a photo memory quilt of my grandmother. I want to stipple quilt it, but I am running across a problem. The dang thread keeps breaking! :( I've practiced on some scraps and I've got the stipple part down. The tension is good (thanks to Jenny's tutorial). It looks great except for I can't sew more than about 10 inches without the thread breaking. It seems to be locking up/sticking (not sure of the term) in the step 2/5 part of threading the upper part (again, not sure of the term). It's not the take up lever, but the step before that. I have a brother xl2610 sewing machine. It's just a lap quilt, so it's not anything ginormous. I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong. Can someone help me? :(

Oh, the thread I'm using is Coats and Clark, 30wt, mercerized cotton and a size 14 needle.

Thanks!

I use 50 wt cotton thread - don't know if that might make a difference. I have 2 brother machines and use that for quilting on both of them.

I am having same problem, am using a Singer 404 and the stitch quality is wonderful, but my thread is slowing shreading and then snap.... it is as if the eye of the needle is the point where the thread is getting too much friction.

My solution was to move the whole thing over to my Pfaff 1471, and now the top of the quilt is showing those 'eyelashes' So I played with the upper tension from zero to six and no change. but hey, the thread isn't breaking! LOL

I hesitate to give advice or even comment for fear of jinxing myself, but I FMQed 3 kids quilts in the past two weeks using regular Coats and Clark poly cotton sewing thread, and it worked! I am amazing myself, and like I said, almost afraid to comment for fear of bringing the wrath of the thread gods down on me! Hope you all can find a solution.

Hiya Cathy - I hate tension issues - I cry I get so frustrated!

Anyways on my HQ16 I use Maxilock and Signature thread - LOVE the Maxilock variegated thread

On my Brother's BM-2600 and SE-400 I use Gutermann Natural problem - always when changing thread I get issues but I normally just stick to the one type of thread now as its less frustration - I ran out of white natural cotton the other day and I put in a poly gutermann white top and bottom and I had major issues and I didnt want to stuff up my tension for when I go back to cotton - so I bought some gutermann cotton white again and it was all better PHEW :)

Just curious?? Is it breaking over the fabric or are you trying to stipple on the photos? You may have just got a spool of bad thread....it happens I would try a different spool. I also sew on brothers for FMQ mine is super picky and i have to use 100% cotton. My old one was not. Who know sewing machines had minds of their own lol Hope you figure it out!!

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Originally Posted by Pamela Tarrant Roman

My solution was to move the whole thing over to my Pfaff 1471, and now the top of the quilt is showing those 'eyelashes' So I played with the upper tension from zero to six and no change. but hey, the thread isn't breaking! LOL

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I have a 1471. If you are getting the eyelashes on the top then your bobbin tension is too loose. The issue I had with trying to FMQ was I was forgetting to disengage the auto-feed feature on top. Once I remembered to do that it all worked wonderfully.

I had the same problems when I first began too. First of all my machine needs a 50 for thread or else nothing is going to happen for me. Also, change your needle to a new one just in case. Eyelashes? Well that just means you're moving too fast for the speed of your machine. Remember to slow down, watch your needle for a bit on a scrap sandwich. It takes a bit of practice. What helped me was imagining I was the needle and if the fabric is moving so fast will I be able to make those stitches as fast? Practice first always everytime, until you begin to get "in the groove'. Once you get it, you will know what I mean. Oh yea, make sure your bobbin is wound tight so it looks like the spool. If it's jumbled up when you wind it, your thread will break also. I have had all those problems you ladies have mentioned and now I don't have any problems. I hope I helped.

your issue could very well be your thread choice...I know good thread is expensive...both of my higher end machines refuse to cooperate with Coats and Clark...have to use a higher quality thread..(have tons of Coat's and Clarks...would't you know it)...I use Superior Fine Line thread on top and Coat's and Clark thread on the bobbin and that works well for me!

Your issue could also be the size needle you're using. If the eye of the needle is too small for the weight of thread it can break. Try moving up to a slightly larger needle and see if that helps.

quilter.martha brought up a good point, the weight of your thread is too heavy for your needle size. Longarmers would use either a size 18 or even 20 for 30 weight. A size 14 needle would work better for threads that are in the 50 or 60 weight category such as silk threads.

What are you using in the bobbin? The same thread? This could be a problem too with a small needle.

Oh another thing I do different since I first began FMQ, I'm not sure if anyone else ever noticed this is... I have a Singer and I was using Schmetz. I started using Singer needles and NO breakage of thread ever again. None at all. Like I said. I'm not sure.if it has anything to do with it but for the past 6 months no shreading or breakage.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I had a feeling it had something to do with the thread or the needle because other than that it looks great :) . I am going to my local craft store today an picking up some new needles and thread. Hopefully that'll do it. Thanks again!

Most of my quilting is done with my longarm, but occasionally I quilt something small with one of my Viking machines. On a regular machine I use Organ needles and Superior thread. I agree with some of the other posts that you either need to use smaller thread or a larger needle. Although the video below is by Handiquilter and it has lots of into regarding thread, needles, and tension that apply to any machine:

http://www.handiquilter.com/videos/?id=189

I was having the same problem - felt like the thread was locking up, but it was with my stitch regulator. I had to lower my top tension and use a top stitch needle. Once I did that, everything went fine.

I think everyone has got you covered but i want to add when I start having trouble with thread the first thing I do is re-thread the machine. I've found many problems start becuse something it hung up or i somehow messed up the thread's path. i use a size 16 or 18 depending on the thread and make sure the quilt is supported. even if it is small it is heavy enough to pull on the needle and cause you problems.
i hope you get this figured out, I know from experience how frustrating it can be.

Thread, tension, needles.....I think all are good possibilities. Is it possible also that it could be operator error? I've had the same problem with my Pfaff and now my new Singer, although not as much. First off, I saw Leah Day say that some machines just don't like going in different directions. Pay attention to see if it happens in the same direction. Second, I think for me it is operator error. My hands get ahead of my speed or my speed gets ahead of my hands and the whole thing is off. If I get in a "rhythm" (and I can almost FEEL when this happens) I can go and go and go with no thread issues.

Just my two cents based upon my own blood sweat tears and utter frustration. I hope you get success soon because I find FMQing to be really fun!