Bobbin does not stitch

There is no straight stitch plate listed in the manual. Straight stitch selections list presser foot J. You might try increasing top thread tension.

In similar project type I've used masking tape over the top of the plate with success. Start by remove and reinserting bobbin so bobbin thread is out of the way. Put a long narrow strip of masking tape over center of needle plate (front to back). Take care not to interfere with feed dogs (why narrow tape is necessary). Then rotate hand wheel... needle penetrates tape and brings bobbin thread up through tape.

For FMQ, make sure you have a darning or FMQ foot for your machine. You must use this foot because it is shorter than other presser feet so it does not press down on the fabric. You need to be able to move the fabric freely under the presser foot. When threading your machine, ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot so the thread will seat properly in the tension disk. The presser foot is ALWAYS lowered when FMQing or the tension will not work. To set the tension, test on some sample quilt sandwiches made with the same materials you will be quilting. Be sure to use a brand new quilting, microtex, or top stitch needle in your machine. Skipped stitches generally indicate the needle is dull, bent, or otherwise damaged. Test your stitching on the test sandwiches and adjust the top tension until the top and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric (Increasing the top tension pulls the bobbin thread up. Loosening the top tension allows the bobbin thread to pull the top thread down.) Depending on your thread weight, you may need to adjust the bobbin tension, but do that ONLY if you cannot get the top thread to pull the bobbin thread up into the sandwich. (However, remember that if you adjust the bobbin case, it may not work properly when you go back to regular sewing.) I actually bought a separate bobbin case that I have adjusted only for FMQing on my machine and I use it only for that purpose.

Understanding Thread Tension on Your Sewing Machine

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Tension for stitching a quilt sandwich is tricky. It helps if you use the same color for top and bobbin thread,. If your quilting thread is not the same weight (either heavier or lighter) than thread used for regular sewing, then the bobbin tension may need to be adjusted. My quilting thread is lighter weight so I have a separate bobbin case whos tension has been adjusted specifically for quilting. The goal is have both threads meet in the middle of the sandwich. If the top thread is showing under the sandwich, you probably need to tighten the top tension so it will pull the bobbin thread up into the sandwich. Do the reverse if the bobbin thread shows on top.

It may also make a difference by changing the type and size needle. I tend to prefer a top-stitch needle. An embroidery or microtex may also work for you.

Machine Quilting Thread and Tension

Tension troubles on your quilting machine Try these tricks

5 Free Motion Quilting Problems and How to Fix Them

Quilting is a bit more finicky than regular sewing. Be sure to ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading the top thread. FWIW, I use a separate bobbin case for FMQ that I have tightened the tension to keep the bobbin thread from coming to the top of the sandwich, but I tend to use a finer thread for quilting so adjusting the bobbin takes care of it. In your case, however, it sounds like the top thread is staying under the fabric. I would try tightening the top tension. Also, install a brand new needle--a top stitch, embroidery, or microtex needle seem to work well for me. Test well on a sandwich made of the same fabric and batting and get it adjusted well before sewing on your quilt. Sometimes sewing speed will affect stitches under the fabric, or even on top.

5 Free Motion Quilting Problems and How to Fix Them

Correcting Sewing Machine Tension for Free Motion Quilting NQC

LOOPS Tension or Speed

https://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/machine-quilting-thread.html

https://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/sewing-machine-tension.html

https://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/machine-quilting-tension-problems.html

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When that happens with my machine, it's usually because the thread has jumped out of a thread guide (often, in my case, it's the takeup lever).

Remove the thread from the machine.

Install a brand new needle.

RAISE the presser foot and then rethread the machine from the beginning. Raising the presser foot releases the tension disk so the thread will seat properly. Check that the thread path is correct.

Before beginning to stitch, bring the bobbin thread to the top of the fabric. Then grasp both thread tails between your two fingers when you take the first couple of stitches. (These instructions refer to quilting, but it works for regular sewing too.)

How to Pull Up the Bobbin Thread
How and Why to Bring up the Bobbin Thread
Machine Minute Pulling Threads to Top

try changing needle
try rethreading machine
also could need a adjustment or have a timing problem

Sounds like the upper tension needs to be tightened, or the bobbin thread needs to be loosened. At any rate, the tension is correct when the two threads meet in the middle of the fabric for general sewing.

For free motion quilting, the tension should be adjusted so that the bobbin thread does not show on the top of the fabric, however, it should not lay in a straight line like it sounds like it may appear currently. What you are currently producing is a gathering stitch where the bobbin thread can be easily pulled.

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thread tensions will be at fault here
if there are loops under the material then tighten the needle thread tension
otherwise tighten the bobbin thread tension

Hi! The bobbin tension rarely needs to be adjusted. First, make sure you're using the appropriate size needle and thread for your fabric (I'd probably use either a 'denim' needle or a universal size 14) and also that the upper thread and bobbin are threaded absolutely correctly. These can throw off the tension! Also, take the time to clean out the bobbin area. That can throw your stitch off also.

If the stitch on the bottom is loose, so that you see the top threads, then the top tension is too loose. If the top stitch is too loose and you see the bobbin threads on top, then the top tension is too tight.

It helps to thread the machine with different color thread on top and in the bobbin, and then stitch an inch or so on the same type of fabric as you're using in your quilt. Check the stitch. If you need to adjust the top tension, make sure the pressure foot is down! Adjust a little, stitch a few inches, and check again. Repeat until you don't see any (or very little) bobbin thread on the top or top thread on the bottom.

If you go through all these steps, and the bobbin thread is still loose (and you've tightened up the top tension), then there is a tiny little screw on the side of the bobbin case that you can use to adjust the bobbin tension. Turn the screw just a little bit (less than a quarter turn), stitch, check, etc. Once the bobbin tension is set, you shouldn't ever have to change it.

Let me know if this helps, ok?

Happy sewing!

If the thread is shredding and breaking, there is an incompatibility of your needle, thread, and fabric. Could be old, bargain bin, or poor quality thread--does the thread have little "hairs" of thread lint sticking out of it--that's probably not good quality. Look for fresh, good quality thread. Try a brand new needle--a sharp if you are sewing woven fabric. Make sure the thread is not too big for the needle eye. Sometimes, a top-stitch needle or embroidery needle will work well on FMQ. (A top-stitch needle has a longer scarf which helps protect the thread during the multiple times the needle penetrates the fabric before the thread forms a stitch. Shredding means the thread is getting worn out before it forms a stitch. A piece of thread penetrates the fabric 10-20 times before it forms a stitch.) Could also be a snag somewhere that is damaging the thread.

Sewing Needle Troubleshooting Guide

SCHMETZ Household Needle Chart

Most FMQ instructions say the upper and bobbin tension should be the same, however, I find my machine works a bit better when the bobbin thread is just a little tighter than the upper thread. Then the bobbin thread does not "pop" up on the top of my fabric quite as much. It's probably something you will just need to experiment with in getting used to your machine.

P.S.--when threading your machine, make sure the Presser Foot is ALWAYS RAISED so the top thread will seat properly in the tension disk. Failure to do this will cause thread barfs (usually referred to as thread nests or bird nests) under your fabric. Also, before beginning your FMQ, ALWAYS PULL the bobbin thread to the top of the fabric, then hold both thread tails gently in your left hand while you slowly take the first couple of stitches.

How and Why to Bring up the Bobbin Thread

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