fatnsassy

I have no idea what I am doing wrong, but everytime that I use monofilament thread, the machine makes tiny stitches and it loops quite a bit on the back side. Is it something I'm doing wrong or is it that some machines just won't sew with monofilament thread. I have a Singer 5050.

Thank you for your help.

jljack

You may need to mess around with your tension, and do something different with the bobbin. Tension is probably the biggest problem, though.

fatnsassy

Thanks, I will try the tension again, but the bobbin tension I can't adjust. It was so aggravating when I had a lot of the quilting done before I noticed what it was doing. I admit this is only the first lap throw that I have quilted, so I have no idea what I'm doing.
Thanks again.

lisalovesquilting

Yes tension is important. Also are you using it in your bobbin too? If you are, don't. Could also be the brand you are trying to use. I like YLI. Hope this helps.

Lisa773

Make sure the mono thread is not catching in the machine and check your tension. The thread is so thin that it sometimes catches on the top of the machine. I also use cotton thread in the bobbin and usually don't have a problem with the tension or knotting. Not sure why that is, but it works, so I don't argue. :)

krazy4quilts

Question for you, is this thread shinny, I watched a video on using some type of thread especially in the bobbin.........they said to wind the bobbin at the slowest speed.

watterstide

I used this thread once, and waht a pain! Someone suggested to wind it in the bobbin..and use the bobbin on top, instead of the spool. It helped. i got through the quilt.
My bobbin rewind speed, is one speed only..fast.

Deecee

I followed advice from Board members regarding monofilament thread after having problems with the thread skipping stitches, breaking and tangling.

Lower top tension, put your spool of thread in a container behind your machine and sew more slowly.

I also found the thread was jumping out of the thread/tension guides and then tightening until it snapped. I needed to frequently check that it was running smoothly through all guides and not twisting or skipping guides. I also use cotton in the bobbin.

Do a Board Search on monofilament or invisible thread and you will find some information.

QBeth

Harriet Hargrave covers the use of monafilament in her book, the name of which I think is "Heirloom Quilting." In her class, she had us tape a safety pin to the top back right corner of our machine then, as Qeecee suggested, with the thread in a glass or measuring cup (something heavy enough to keep it steady), run the thread thru the end of the safety pin before threading your machine as usual. I believe the purpose is to slow down how fast the thread is fed or, as everyone has noted, it has something to do with the tension. Harriet also said to never use monafilament in the bobbin and, to use a really good brand such as YLI. Hope my attempt at picturing it helps.

Oklahoma Suzie

sounds like tension to me.