Self threading on the machine

[Blondie]

Hey gals
I have a babylock and love the self threading feature. However this afternoon as I was sewing, I noticed, it isn't working. Has this happen to anyone and if so, do you know how I fix it?
It is bringing the thread to the eye but it is not catching it, if that makes sense.
Help??

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Self threading on the machine

I don't have a babylock, but this is what my book says for my Brother self-threading.
The presser foot has to be UP to get it threaded right thru the tension area, then - you have to put the pressure foot DOWN to get the needle threader to work. Also - the needle has to be in just the right position - UP - to get it to work too. Where the hand wheel is on the right of the machine, there is this little line on the machine itself and the 'wheel line' should be in line with the 'machine line'. (All these LINES can make one crazy!)

Does this help?

Hugs,

[Blondie]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Thanks Trish. I will check it out in a minute. I remember that about the threading and lock position. I have never had this kind of issue with it before. I attribute it to fooling around with quilting foot and free motion foot yesterday. I have decided I am not good at either one. I will need LOTS of practice before I can say I machine quilt anything. My hand stitching stinks but at least I think it looks better than my machine quilting.
thinking of you most affectionately

[StitchingTime]

Re: Self threading on the machine

I had the same problem and it required a part. The folks at store said to raise the needle to the highest point then lower the pressure foot and then do the threading. I had not been lowering the pressure foot and that was what had bent the part. I do all of the steps now and it works every time.

[Blondie]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Thank you my Stitchy friend. I have not been doing the lowering thing at all. Hmmm. Haven't made it back down the stairs to the basement yet. At this time prolly won't til the rooster crows.
Was the part expensive? Wonder if I could order online and do it myself? hmmmm.
Thanks again.

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Oh Blondie - you CAN do it. The free motion stuff is mostly making your machine go fast and your hands go slower. I have to practice every time I work on a new project. And - make sure you wear some kind of machine gloves or garden gloves to help grab and move your quilt around. Don't try to do too large of an area - and keep your eye on where you want your needle to go - not actually watching your needle. That is a hard thing to do and it seems I am always watching my needle.
I think we just need a long arm of our own and it would be so much easier!

Hugs,

[SuzyQue]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Stitching Trish----I, too, really can't do free motion quilting! Thanks for your tips and I will keep practicing! I tried to do a windy swirl on my snowman banner and had to take out that loop 3 times. Still not please with it. I am back to more stitch in the ditch. I have that mastered!....or better, anyway. I will keep practicing, but just can't get it smooth! SuzyQue

[SuzyQue]

Re: Self threading on the machine

QuiltingTrish-----sorry, I just realized the name mistake. I meant you! SuzyQue

[debinmalaga]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Oh Blondie - you CAN do it. The free motion stuff is mostly making your machine go fast and your hands go slower. I have to practice every time I work on a new project. And - make sure you wear some kind of machine gloves or garden gloves to help grab and move your quilt around. Don't try to do too large of an area - and keep your eye on where you want your needle to go - not actually watching your needle. That is a hard thing to do and it seems I am always watching my needle.
I think we just need a long arm of our own and it would be so much easier!

Hugs,

Trish, this was one of the best lists of tips on free motion quilting that I've read :-). And I'll second you - you CAN do it, Blondie. It takes practice - but you see improvement with every single project. Be kind to yourself, and don't do anything larger than a baby quilt until you've had a bit of experience. My quilting is still very "jagged" looking, but I know exactly where I need to improve and I can see it coming along. And even if I never get as good as I'd like to be, I'm good enough to have fun :-). As I get better at machine quilting I really have fun doing it, and was sorry to finish my Dresden plate quilting, it was such a blast. Can't wait to start a new project and see where my quilting goes next!

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Self threading on the machine

And you'll want to watch the thread you use to machine quilt. Most of the time it's a pain in my pattootie!
Sometimes the cheap stuff works and sometimes it doesn't. Not that I have lots of the cheap thread, but I know I have the clarks stuff from Joann's and other stuff from other shops. I choose a color of what I have and go from there. The tension is another matter. I actually set my tension on a higher number and you have to watch the stitch width. It's a combination of everything to get it to all work right. That's why every time I sit to machine quilt, I have lots of practice scraps with batting and a backing and play with the length and width of the stitches and the top tension number. Sometimes it can take me a few hours yes, hours, to get it to come out right. Then when it finally looks right, I write down what the tension is set at, what the length and width are set at and use those on the project. So it can be frustrating to say the least.

I can be stitching trish or quilting trish - it's all the same - lol! I knew you were talking to me!

Hugs,

[janluna]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Thanks for the info on the self threading. I can't seem to get a handle on that either. I have never put my presser foot down. I'll try that and let you know if it works on my singer. It says its self threading but I have yet to make it happen. What would I do without you guys?? I haven't tried to do FMQ yet either but I think that's fear of failure so I always find an excuse not to try it. Thanks Ladies. Love you all, Jan

[Lola2Ace]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Blondie, I have a different brand of machine, but on the self-threader there is a tiny tiny hook that grabs the thread. I have bent mine out of shape more than once. I usually am able to bend it back, ever so gently. Right now, it's not fixable on 1 machine, but I am able to thread it manually.
Jan, I am like you and afraid of failure on the FMQ, but I am working on getting over that.
Lola

[janluna]

Re: Self threading on the machine

All in good time, Lola, all in good time.

[Blondie]

Re: Self threading on the machine

Hmmm, I reckon all the tension, thread, etc is why some women have a machine they use as a quilter and one for regular sewing.

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Self threading on the machine

2 machines going at the same time - that's me. I have 2 sitting on the table right now. I use the newer one for free motion and the other to straight stitch - saves messing with the tension and changing the presser feet, plus putting the feed dogs up and down.
Need a good snowy day to practice.

Hugs,