pastorpatti04

Does anyone have a babylock ellure that is being used to fmq successfully? I go maybe 1 inch and it breaks the tip of my needle. :-(

PaperPrincess

if the tip of your needle is breaking, it's because the needle is not coming completely out of the fabric before you move it. Because the needle is not out of the fabric, you bend it a tiny bit when you move the fabric and the needle hits the plate and breaks.

It's either because you are moving the fabric too quickly or the foot you are using is not applying enough downward pressure to allow the needle to get entirely out of the fabric at the completion of the stitch. It's letting the fabric move up when the needle raises, so it's still stuck in there. What kind of foot are you using? A hopping foot is great because it holds the fabric down for the stitch then hops up, releasing the pressure on the fabric allowing you to move it. If you don't use a hopping foot, try slowing down a bit when moving the fabric or try adjusting your presser foot pressure down a tiny bit. FMQ does take a LOT of practice to get your machine speed and hand speed to be coordinated. This is one area where taking a class is really helpful.

pastorpatti04

Thanks Paperprincess, I am using a hopping foot, just wanted to know it was user error. This machine does not allow stitch length of zero, it does allow lowering of feed dogs. Do you have this machine?

Mom3

I don't have your machine but general fmq problems can be resolved with a larger (stonger) needle size. I use antique Singer machines for my fmq'ing and use a 14 or 16 needle.


EDIT PS: I also use a hopping foot.

Shari

Dolphyngyrl

You are moving it to fast, because that was happening to my Espire, just slow down and you will do just fine. Also maybe set your machine speed to the medium setting since you are just learning. Also fiddle with adjusting your presser foot pressure and height until you get a setting you like.

Tartan

Make sure to check that you have the zig zag hole plate on your machine and not the single hole plate. This gives you a larger area for the needle to move into without hitting the plate. I don't have that machine so I don't know anything else that could help.

yngldy

You are right about the pressure on the foot! I started FMQ a top I had just finished. Hadn't FMQ for a while. Was having trouble until I adjusted the presser foot pressure. Forgot about that. What a difference in the stitches!!

CAJAMK

I have been using my Babylock Ellure for over a year with wonderful results doing FMQ. I set the stitch length for as low as it can go, drop my feed dogs and move my quilt. Don't move it too fast or you will break the needle tip.

pastorpatti04

Cajamk,
Thanks for your response, it seems that the tension is too tight, and then gets too loose when I adjust it. Where do you have yours adjusted to?