QuiltE

JenniKy ... I'm with Muv ... white gets grubby in my world!!!
And before I read her comments, I was going to say ......... BOTH B+W ... and ask, do you have more of the gingham? Otherwise, the black would blend it all nicely together.

What a lucky friend you have ... and a good friend you are!!!


Muv ... yea ... first flax flower tomorrow!!! It's going to be ever-so pretty, I just know!! BTW Shots have made it here. I've now seen it advertised in 3 fabric lines! Haven't seen them IRL yet. Oh, not quite ... Michael Miller has them all nicely packed in a boxed assortment with some non-shots, so you don't get a true look at it. The boxed grouping is so nicely presented, that you can't help but want it!

SewExtremeSeams

HAPPY CANADA DAY to all of you Canadians.

I bought DH a gorgeous chocolate cake in honor of you.

Jenniky: I see you already made a decision but my vote would have been for black. It looks gorgeous! Loved your horse block also.

QuiltE: great thread holder.

dublb

Happy Canada Day!

We went ta Brady this weekend & took some furniture. We worked hard Sat afternoon, grilled steak that evenin',& fished late into the night. OK we just watched bobbers float in the water while we talked. It was so nice!

QuiltE

Oh surrrrrrre blame the Canucks for the splurge!!
Hope that you BOTH enjoyed the cake ... and that you decorated it with a maple leaf, just to keep the ploy!!
*giggles*

SewExtremeSeams

Well, just think you can blame us (U.S.) for a splurge on Wednesday!

I am sick today so choco cake was not on my list to eat. DH enjoyed it though. Choco is his fave.

gardnergal970

QuiltE...I've been told that the type of needle is also important. A size 12 top stitch is recommended. It has a longer groove leading up to the hole where the thread can "nest" plus a larger hole for threading. After the needle is threaded, there should be 40% open space or the thread will bind and break. Metallica needle is also good with the same design since it is to be used with metallic thread but works well with other theada. I had to look in my notes to give the right reasons for each needle but I've had fewer problems since changing exclusively to top stitch. I have a boat load of universal and quilting needles to get rid of.

QuiltE

Thanks GGal ... I'll try the topstitch needle another time. At least you can use your universal and quilting needles for your piecing. I had used a 12Q and switched to a 14Q. Last night when doing the borders, with the same thread, different colour, all stitched fine using the AccuFeed, so it's definitely something with the FMQing ..... and of course that's so many variables!

JenniKy ... I forgot to say thanks about the TNT ... I love neat things like that to help trick my brain into remembering! I take it that's a book you referenced? ... sounds like a great help to have by your side! Could you please photo it, and show here, along with the details we'd need to locate it.


I've got the stippled background done ... from the earlier advice, I eased off on the tension some and all seemed to stitch OK, but still shred/broke, but I got much further in between. I've now started the outside borders, so the finish is in site.

gardnergal970

QuiltE...do you notice that the thread breaks more when you go to the left or to the right and up at a 45 to 90 degree angle? I forget which way it is but there is one direction that the Janome drive system doesn't respond to well. Slowing down a smidge on the turn might help a bit.

QuiltE

It doesn't happen instantly as ... I notice the shredding/fraying, and then stop, so I can cut a length, and then have something to tie off and bury. And of course, if I don't notice it, yes, it breaks. Just finished all the border cross-hatch and no problems.

Just thinking ... with what you mentioned, GGal ... I was doing small stipple, so there was lots of twisting, turning, curving.

Thanks GGal and All, for continuing to help me troubleshoot on this.
If you can think of anything more, particularly Janome specific, please let me know. I've been thinking of going in to the shop and having them give me a detailed FMQ lesson. Then I could ask lots of specific questions about overcoming the problem or anything else! I do love my machine though!!!!!!

QuiltE

I found Monty at the Canada Day festivities and eating Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped cream ... and dragged him back home by the scruff of his neck!

TaDaaaaaaaaaahhh!

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