Help with Stitch in the Ditch

[strose]

I’m attempting to machine quilt my first lap quilt – “attempting” being the operative word. I have many questions and would appreciate ANY advice.

First of all, I was told to use a transparent thread on the top and a bobbin thread to match the quilt backing. I can see the wisdom in this as my stitching is all over the place, but is there a trick to working with the transparent thread? Mine keeps coming uncoiled all over the place, so much so that I’m beginning to feel like I’m on an episode of Candid Camera.

I have quilt clips and a walking foot. The quilt clips are a godsend, but this is my first time using a walking foot and I am, of course, struggling with it, too. The quilt still doesn’t seem to feed with the walking foot on. I’m basically pulling the quilt through, which doesn’t seem right. Is it?

My top thread broke a few times, and I realized that I have giant loops of the stuff on the back of the quilt – because it’s transparent I hadn’t seen the loops until the thread broke. That’s the upper thread tension that needs to be adjusted, right?

I tried doing the first line of quilting this morning before heading to work. When I get home I’ll be ripping out that mess and practicing on scraps before I go any further – something I should have done in the first place, but I can be a little dense sometimes! I’d appreciate any and all tips on how to get this done without losing my enthusiasm for making quilts.

Thank you!

[quilterbee]

I use Monopoly monofilament thread alot, I love it. Here are a few tips-
1) Roll your tension back a little bit, like a 3.
2) Lengthen your stitch length, like a 2.5- 3.0.
3) Use a sharps needle or quilting needle.

That's it! Amie )

[quilterbee]

I just read the part about the machine not feeding. Lengthen your stitch length! Increase your foot pressure a little bit, cut your tension back. Sew slower than normal, Amie

[Tiggersmom]

The fact that you are pulling it will mess up your tension. Have you checked your feed dogs?? What position are they in?? They should be up so the walking foot and the F.D. can work together.

You might try putting a piece of nylon stocking over your thread so it semi contains it and it won't whip off so freely.

[CoyoteQuilts]

Also with the looping you may have had your pressure foot down when you threaded the top thread, thus not getting your thread through the tension disc. Make sure the upper thread is in the tension disc. And do all the other things that Amie said!!

Sharon V.

[Geneva2]

I used monofilament thread on one quilt and hated it. It sewed OK but I just didn't like the look. I very seldom stitch in the ditch. I use the qt. inch tape and shawdow quilt each patch. I just like that look.
I lengthen my stitch to 3.0 on all quilting.
I just thought you might like another opinion. We have all developed our own way of doing things based on what looks good to us. How long has it been since your machine was serviced?
Geneva

[strose]

Feed dogs were up. I didn’t even think about using a different needle. I’ll look into that.

I think the tension is definitely an issue, and maybe the brand of transparent thread, too. I have the stuff from Coats & Clark and it feels like fishing line.

Thanks for all your feedback!

Yesterday morning my co-worker put me in touch with her friend who has a quilting club. Luckily they meet tonight and she invited me to join in. She’s teaching a back to basics class, which I think is just what I need.

[Evie]

I had to switch to Sulky invisible polyester thread for DH's t-shirt quilt. The other was nylon and kept breaking.

[CaroleJ]

Try a Schmetz brand needle, 80/10 size...might help.

Carole

[gmaann]

I'm only asking this since it's your first time using a walking foot: Are you sure it is put on correctly? The little 'arm' goes OVER the screw that holds the needle in place.

I loosen the top tension quite a bit when using invisible thread - and my favorite brand is Sew Art. I also lengthen the stitch to 3 or 3.5. Don't give up - keep trying these tips and something will click! And I hope you got some help at the quilt group meeting!!

Ann