I can't get the tension right while free motion quilting. I changed the thread to machine quilting thread. Put a new needs, size 16. cleaned the bobbin area. tried all the settings and still get eye lashes
A #16 needle seems pretty big for FMQ. Are you also getting pin holes in the fabric? Try using a top stitch, embroidery, or metallix needle.
Eyelashing is often a result of moving the fabric too quickly. Try speeding up your sewing speed or slow down the fabric movement. The object is to get the stitch speed equal to the fabric movement--and keeping it consistent. I tend to make swirls too fast which causes eyelashing.
It could also be tension. Be sure to ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading the top thread.
What causes thread eyelashes when sewing
LOOPS Tension or Speed
SOURCE: Threadtension wrong when free motion quilting
If the thread under the fabric is loose you need to tighten the upper tension. If it's on 4, bring it to 5. If it's on 5, bring it to six and continue doing that and sewing till its perfect. You may need to decrease your lower tension if you can't get it just right.
Bernina Sewing Machine Parts
SOURCE: Viking Lily - free motion quilting - thread loops on underside.
I need more info.
>Where is your presser fooot pressure set(1-9) it should be around 4?
>How fast are you free motioning (faster is better? from 1-10 10 being full speed.
>Is your bobbin threaded correctly (I need to cover the basics.)?
>Never never use a needle smaller than a 90/14 for free motion (I know everyone's an expert...but trust me)
After all this, it's OK to tighten your tension up on top a little when free motioning and getting eyelashes/spider webs on bottom. around 6 should do it though.
SOURCE: Unbalanced lower tension when using BSR free motion quilting
try using a straight stitch plate, this will help resolve some of the eye lash effect.
SOURCE: Pfaff Select 4.0 has looping on bottom of fabric, free motion qui
Make sure your are lowering the pressure foot first before you start sewing. With the free motion foot, you still have to lower the pressure foot, this allows tension to be put on the top thread and allows the foot to work properly (when the needle goes down so should the foot and when the needle comes up it should lift the foot up.)
Also make sure your tensions are in a middle setting and that you are threading the machine with the pressure foot up.
The way to insure you will not get your problem is with the foot up, you should be able to pull the thread easily right before the eye of the needle and when you put the foot down you should then feel a fair bit of tension on the top thread.
hope that helps :)
chris
SOURCE: Just bought a brand new Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0
this is a known issue with the pfaff.....i have just bought the machine and it has thread uptake issues...thread tension issues and it comes unthreaded by itself often...leaving globs of thread on the bottom stuck in the feed dogs and under the throat plate.....then the stitches are not properly balanced because the tension gets too loose on the bobbin thread....very disappointed to find out it is a known issue with all the viking husqvarna made machines...which are pfaff, janome and viking.....sux.
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