skipped stitches

[QuilterLynn]

my frustration level is just about peaked...
I'm machine-quilting a machine-pieced cathedral windows quilt... thus, I'm going thru 7 layers of fabric plus batting, except where I might be hitting seams which only makes it thicker...
and it's just not working!!!
I'm using Bottom Line in the bobbin, and started out with that in the top as well. Before quilting, I had to tack the corners of the 'windows' and everything was fine UNTIL I was almost finished wiht that. At the VERY end, the top thread began to fray somewhere between the take-up lever and the needle. (I've changed the needle a bunch along the way) Baby was due for 1st annual service (440 QE) and the tech did find a thread wrapped stuck between the tension disks, got it out (and gave it back to me!)
Everything else was fine. Started back on this quilt. Same problem. try a few different needles. All sharps/topstitch/quilting, but various sizes.
ok, giving up on Bottom Line on top, tried a regular Mettler cotton. Not fraying, but now, I've got tons of skipped stitches(every 2-3 inches, at least one 1/2-inch skipped, plus lots of individual stitches(using BSR)
again, tried different needles. no luck
tried a Gutterman rayon thread. Same skipped stitches.
i have the tension set at 5 (middle) and presser foot at 42 (default?) and admittedly don't know a lot about thread, tension, etc.

Any suggestions :?: :?: oh, did I mention this is a graduation quilt due in about a month? not looking promising on making that deadline! ops:
any ideas appreciated.
Florence

[littleflower]

drop the top tension to at least a 2 if not lower. As you're moving the quilt under the needle there are 3 tensions
1) top tension (way too high here);
2) bobbin tension (it's alright to play with this just mark where "normal" is with a sharpie, however given that you're using bottom line I'd leave it and
3) the tension of the quilt being moved under the needle. When you loosen the top tension this will allow for freer movement under the needle and bring #1 and #3 tensions into a better balance. You should also find that there won't be anymore eyelashes over the surface of the quilt.

Also use at least a 90/14 metallic or top stitch needle. These are sharper and have a larger eye to accommodate the thread and guide it through the stitching process.

Happy Quilting!
Teri

[Judymc]

Teri, I'm paying attention, too--sorry you're having so much trouble, Florence. I'm REALLY new to machine quilting. I was told in Bernina class that the presser foot should be set to "2" when using the BSR. When I do this, the screen will show "2" and then go back to showing 42. Is it supposed to do this? Florence, I really admire you tackling a large quilt--I'm still practicing on scrap fabric! :roll:

[Judymc]

Thanks Teri! I won't be able to give this a try until tonight but it sounds promising! Tension has been something I've always had trouble with!

and Judy, ya' know, there's a fine line between bravery and foolishness... I never should have tackled such a unique method without making a smaller sample first. I think I've learned THAT lesson, so now if I can learn the tension stuff I'll be good to go!
Florence

[littleflower]

I think Libby mentioned on the show featuring herself that she lowers the bsr tension to 1.5 I don't remember why she does this, however, we can still go back and see the show. Cool, huh!

Happier quilting!
Teri

[eileenkny]

Florence,
Take a look at the skipped stitches-are there needle holes and the thread didn't catch or are there long stitches with no needle holes in between. Long stitches can be the BSR.
Also, try using the same thread top and bottom. There may be too many layers for the top thread to grab the much thinner Bottom Line.
eileenkny

[eileenkny]

I'm pretty sure the needle's getting in, but definitely not picking up the bobbin thread, sometimes I've even had trouble bringing the bobbin thread up just to get started...

[eileenkny]

Teri you are my hero!!

I haven't had much time tonight but did manage to give this a try & WHEE :!: :!: it worked like a charm! Now to develop a rhythm, I only have 394 more of the little windows to stitch down.... have I said this was big :? and have I said I wouldn't necessarily recommend this process :roll: and have I said it's for a mid-June graduation ops:
Deep breath...I'll be like the little engine that could... and at least I've finally got the stitching right. You're the best!

Florence

[littleflower]

Not a hero, just another quilter who has had the same problems and shared some of the things she's learned through other quilters and through experience.

As each block passes you'll be that much more comfortable with the rhythm of machine quilting. And remember one thing...I'm going to tell an Alex story from either her podcasts or series 1...she told about taking a machine quilting class with Diane Gaudinsky and Diane kept telling her to relax and physically helped relax her shoulders. As you relax your shoulders (I have to tell myself this all the time due to table height) and breathe, don't forget to breathe, the whole quilting process will become second nature.

I'm glad this is working though!

Teri

[eileenkny]

Florence,
I'm glad it worked out for you. It can be so frustrating when a machine doesn't work the way it's supposed to work. The only experience I have with a stitch regulator is on my longarm and that's a whole different animal.
Make sure you post it in the gallery when it's done so we can all ooh and ah
eileenkny 8)

[eileenkny]

I appreciate this thread - thanks for asking about it, Florence! I have a Bernina with the BSR and have also experienced skipped stitches. Never knew how to correct, and never asked anyone. :roll: I had the "new owner's class" after I bought it, but I do not think they told me about lowering the top tension when quilting with a BSR! My machine is not with me but I'm mentally filing this info away, and am anxious to give it a try! Good luck on getting your project done - go girl, go!

[eileenkny]

I'm thinking my mental filing system needs to be replaced with a written one, there's so much to remember!
Florence

[eileenkny]

Also use at least a 90/14 metallic or top stitch needle. These are sharper and have a larger eye to accommodate the thread and guide it through the stitching process.

Teri, I'm running into another problem. I confess this was occurring a bit for the first hundred or so windows, but not too often--the thread is still fraying above the needle. BUT I tolerated it b/c I was using a 90/14 sharp/quilting needle, (actually, used a bunch b/c I kept changing them...) and didn't have any topstitch needles at home. Finally got out to the shop, got some topstitch needles, and now the fraying is WORSE...It's as if the top of the eye is just sharp & cutting or wearing into the thread :? Is this likely a result of the zillion layers of fabric? Is there a solution?
Florence

[eileenkny]

I've been having a similar problem, and have noticed that it happens most often when I'm moving the quilt in such a way that the needle pierces the thread--moving the needle to the right, the quilt to the left, on my machine that threads from left to right. It's an old Singer 115 treadle machine. If I avoid that direction, the problem goes away, so am moving the quilt a little differently now, turning it a bit if necessary.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[eileenkny]

Ya' know, a little sleep can do wonders... woke up this morning with almost that exact thought, plus thinking about that tension too... I'm at 1.5 but maybe that's still too much, pulling that thread tight against the top of the eye... I'm so used to tension being simply about keeping the loops between two pieces of fabric, and I definitely am NOT having loop problems! Of course, if this wasn't black on black (with a very black print backing) I might actually be able to SEE the threads...
ok, will give it a try... have to work part of the day but then may be in for a very quilty holiday weekend!!
Florence