pseudoquilter

Greetings!
First of all I love this forum!

I currently have a Brother XL-3500i. I am impatient when it comes to sewing esp when the machine messes up. The only formal instruction to sewing that I had was in high school but that was over 40 yrs ago. I always have what I think is a tension problem (the sewing looks ok on the top side but has loops etc on the bottom) or I end up with a glob of thread that I physically have to pull out of the machine. I have posted other questions about this and tried to resolve the problem.
I am wondering if its the machine or me but the next time I buy it will be at a place which offers lessons.
Any thoughts as to what kind of a machine I should buy? I don't want to spend over $300 since I only do simple quilting.
Thank you!

tessagin

Sounds like a tension problem and maybe your feed dogs are low or presser foot may not be all the way down. I always keep my manual nearby. May also need a good cleaning. If you have your manual check the troubleshooting page. If you don't have a manual download one. When I have any kind of problem, my manual is my go to for problems. It is always right at my fingertips.

Bneighbor

Make sure the presser foot is up when you thread the machine. That allows the tension disks to be open and the thread to set down into the disks. Otherwise the thread may lay next to the disks and the thread will loop on top or bottom.

DOTTYMO

One of me quilting friends had a brother not sure of model but after selling her goods she purchased a juki computerised machine which she says does everything except make a drink.
She is registered blind so has difficulty but finds the machine great and one of the group did a workshop on the machine as well.

AliKat

Do you just want a smaller sewing machine so you can take it with you for quilting guild/group activities? Or will it stay at home?

If it will be staying at home, then before getting a new machine maybe try getting out your manual and following the directions rethread the top and bobbin. Then stitch only a few stitches to see if you still have that problem. If you still have a problem there are several posts on the QB as to how to adjust the tension; there are several tutes on youtube; and, if possible go back to your local dealer and have them give you a hands on tute on your machine.

One friend actually had a defective machine which the dealer replaced. Another friend found she threaded the machine wrong, doing what she had done on another machine didn't work on her new machine.

Onebyone

What size needle are you using with what weight thread? Is your bobbin thread too thick for piecing? The bad stitch on the back of the seam means the top thread has problems. Lots of many different things to have to know before saying machine is defective.

Zinda

I was told by my LQS dealer to only do a 1/4 turn of the screw in the bobbin area. I get too anxious and usually give it too much of a turn.

bearisgray

It is a good idea to wriite yourself a note about where you started from. Even an 1/8 turn can make a difference.

Dolphyngyrl

I used my XL-3500i for quite a few years with no tension issues. When I adjusted tension and got good settings I would log it so the next time I used that fabric, and thread combination again I would know the setting for my machine. You do have to adjust if you go from cotton to polyester thread. You also have to adjust when doing quilting with the walking foot as well. If there are loops on the bottom it means your bobbin tension is too tight or the top tension is too loose. Once you learn how to adjust tension properly you will have less problems. I think this is the hardest thing for beginners to learn. When I got my XL-3500i I really focused on learning tension. Because I am spoiled now with automatic tension, when I do have to use mine I always for get how because I hardly use my mechanical anymore since I got my SQ-9050 computerized from walmart is now my small machine. My XL-3500i will be my daughters first machine in a few years when she is older. It really is a good little machine once you get the hang of it. I would recommend the PC-420 if you are looking to upgrade. There are also a few midrange in brothers simplicity line that are getting good reviews. I would go to your brother and check them out.

Raggiemom

There are several good suggestions on here, I hope one of these helps you. If you're still looking for a inexpensive machine afterwards, I would recommend a Janome Jem.