hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

[WendyI]

So I started to quilt my sisters quilt. I am just doing straight line stitching but using a coloured thread to make the lines more prominent. I'm starting to regret that because the blue thread on the white CLEARLY shows how crooked I sew! uhg. So I am going to have to rip half of what I have done out and try again.

But before I do this I wonder if you could tell me why this is happening. I looked at the back and noticed that some of my stitches are looping ...like hoppy stitches. I'm trying my best to guide the quilt rather than push it through, although it's difficult as I only have four inches of table space in front of my machine (what's ideal for that btw?) so I'm getting some drag. Any idea why this is happening?4

Also, at one point my needle fell out! So I had to start again...but when I put the needle back in my threader would not thread the needle. It's like it was too low even though I pushed it up as far as I could. I threw the needle out and put a new one in and the threader worked...any theories on why this might have happened? It's like the needle stretched? Maybe it bent when it fell out and that's also why I was getting the loopy stitches! Could that be it??

I'm off to watch the tube and ribbit once again! uhg.

[ilive2craft2]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

If the new needle doesn't fix the issue, it sounds like it might be a tension problem. Re-thread your machine - that usually fixes my issues. Sorry you are having to frog - hope something good is on tv to make it go faster!

[Auntpiggylpn]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

The space between the front of your machine and you should be whatever us comfortable for your arms and shoulders. I support the weight of my quilt that is in front of my machine by puddling it up in front of the machine. Usually if it is a drag problem, your stitches will become very tiny. Make sure you are using your walking foot, increase your stitch length, let the walking foot pull the fabric thru the harp. I am currently quilting a queen sized quilt on my little Janome (6-7" harp space). I stop often to rearrange the fabric and adjust the quilt thru my harp. I'm using about a medium speed and stop often. It is really a PITA and I will never do it again but I was asked to do it by my other half's aunt whom I have always thought didn't like me. It is a double wedding ring that her mother pieced right before she passed away. I felt honored when she asked me so I ignorantly agreed to do it!! It is slow going but I am pleased with the results.

[auntiemern]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

Sounds like a tension issue. Re thread the entire thing including the bobbin and try again. As far as your lines not being straight, have you marked them? Or are you following some kind of line. Use the side of your foot as your straight edge to guide you.

[coffeebreak]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

Sounds like you are talking about what is commonly called "bird nests".....the top thread looks perfect, but the bobbin thread is all "nested"...all bunched up. Several reasons, but in my experience the most common one is that the TOP thread is not threaded right. Just unthread the top, and re thread it. Sometimes the thread just doesn't go smoothly in the path inside and just needs re threaded. Almost always fixes the problem for me. Tension could be the next issue, but I have not had that problem yet. So,.. give it a try to re thread. Plus, change the spool of thread sometimes. Maybe your machine doesn't "like" that brand of thread.

[Swedish leo]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

It could also be the speed between your pedal and hands.
If you are moving the quilt faster then your pedal or the other way around. It can cause the stiches to misbehave.

Here are a pic on how I arrange my quilttop when quilting to deal with the bulk and drag.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

I really hate quilting on a domestic machine. It's just so darned labor-intensive. One of these days I'm going to really concentrate on learning to FMQ and then invest in a sit -down mid-arm so I can branch out from the embroidery machine and straight-line stitching.

[WendyI]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

I'm with you Rebecca! Although I want a sit down long arm so I can do pantographs!

Thanks all for all the helpful advice. As for tension...if that is the issue...what should it be set to for quilting? It's not birds nesting it is just creating a single loop on the back, sometimes two. I will post a pic when I am on the computer so u can see what I'm mean if that doesn't make sense. Xox

[Blonde Biker]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

I have learned more about setting the tension on my long arm machine than I ever thought possible. YES, rethread your machine and bobbin. also you may need to change the tension on the BOBBIN...there is that tiny screw, that is VERY sensitive. a 1/4 turn either way could do it. the bobbin thread should come out easily. as for that needle and your threader not lining up....when you insert the new needle make sure it's all they way up then tighten the screw. also make sure to turn the wheel so the needle is in the most UP position ...the threader should then line up.
have a contrasting thread can be cool cuz you will see the stitches . are you stitching in the ditch? are you using the correct presser foot?
I love using pantographs on my Handi Quilter 16. it's a full sized long arm but it can be changed by taking out sections of the poles. I have it set up at 10 feet right now but 8 ft would have done me just fine. I would try several different kinds of machines and buy what you NEED. I bought used and it saved me $$. there are many used machines out there.

take care...sew FUN!
carolIMG_20131026_105309.jpg

[Pegger]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

I have heard them called eyelashes. Take a small sandwich made from the same fabric &same batting and keep adjusting & testing your tension on that piece until you have it balanced. Be sure you havej your pressure foot raised when re threading the upper thread. Make sure your bobbin is inserted correctly and that the bobbin is not wound loosely.m. These are some things it was told would help. I am no expert but had run into the same problem. The quilters on this forum have been a great help to me. Good luck.

[sassygranny]

Re: hoppy loopy stitches - what?!?

What kind of machine are you using? I had a weird loopy bottom thread problem with my Juki that I solved...but it's a miracle I was observant enough to figure it out. It wasn't in any of the "tips" pages or anywhere online. My loops only showed up maybe every 8-10 inches. And then I'd get maybe four or five inches of them. What was happening was my top thread was slipping out from between the tension disks. Just a bit. When I would lift the presser foot, the thread would pop back into place between the disks, and everything would be fine for a few inches. Then they would slip out again. So, at first, I would just manually lift my presser foot every few inches, and that fixed it. PIA...but the loopies stopped. THEN, I read somewhere that if your thread is slippery or fine, to thread in a slightly different way (wouldn't make sense to describe the difference here if you don't have a Juki) and the end result is that the thread comes at the tension disks from a slightly more acute angle, which increases the probability the stuff will stay in place between the disks. The nesties were driving me nuts because I had cranked my top tension all the way up, and I was still getting them. Just a minor adjustment to the WAY I was threading made all the difference. These little machines are remarkably touchy for such workhorses, aren't they?