Help needed! FMQ and thread breaking
04-16-2010, 10:45 AM
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
I would use a 90/14 topstitch or embroidery needle, these are made for the rayon threads :wink: The eye of the needle is larger in proportion, as well as the groove in the back of the needle.
04-18-2010, 04:01 AM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tooele, Utah
Posts: 291
If nothing else helps, try reducing your presser foot pressure. With your walking foot, if your pressure is too high you will get plowing on the top of your quilt, if it is too low you will get ruffling on the back.
04-18-2010, 04:31 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 3,025
I have found when the thread starts to break while FMQ it means your machine needs to be thoroughly cleaned. I just keep using the canned air and I also use little makeup brushes to get into tiny spaces. Don't forget to blow out the thread guides on top.
Also, turn top thread around, not just change thread, sometimes that works.
Also, turn top thread around, not just change thread, sometimes that works.
04-18-2010, 06:00 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Posts: 1,653
Originally Posted by newestnana
UPDATE:
I cleaned the machine thoroughly and did change to a larger needle (it makes sense that the small hole was hard on the fragile thread). This seemed to help. Also changed to my other FMQ foot (one came with the machine and the other was an optional extra...ended up using the one that came with the machine).
In fact I was able to finish the FMQ part of the quilt (main section). Found that the fraying occurred to some degree even when I was straight stitching (walking foot) around the first border. So I guess it's possibly the thread and its fragility. But it's so pretty with the little sheen :-)
Thanks for your suggestions!
I cleaned the machine thoroughly and did change to a larger needle (it makes sense that the small hole was hard on the fragile thread). This seemed to help. Also changed to my other FMQ foot (one came with the machine and the other was an optional extra...ended up using the one that came with the machine).
In fact I was able to finish the FMQ part of the quilt (main section). Found that the fraying occurred to some degree even when I was straight stitching (walking foot) around the first border. So I guess it's possibly the thread and its fragility. But it's so pretty with the little sheen :-)
Thanks for your suggestions!
I took a Bold Needle Threads class by Susan Cleveland this winter and found out about lots of threads that were new to me. YLI makes a silk thread that got a sheen to it. WonderFil (Canadian Co.), makes an Egyptian Cotton that's 12 weight and has a bit of a sheen to it. The main thing with that is it's a heavier weight thread, so it shows up more in your stitiching. You will need to change the upper tension in order to use it properly and use a size 90/14 or a 100/16 topstitch needle. Use a 80/12 topstitch needle with 30 wt silk or 2 strands of 50 wt silk.
Check out your LQS to see what kinds of threads they carry. You might be able to find some new ones to try. Or check online: YLICorp.com,WebOfThread.com,SpeedStitch.com,Wonder fil.net
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