I wonder if anyone can tell me what is causing this with my stitches? I am taking off for my dentist appointment in a little while and wonder if anyone can answer and I will have a solution waiting for me when I get home.
Can you see this big,big stitch that I am pointing at with the seam ripper? Every now and then I will notice that instead of having 4 or 6 stitches – or more– in an area I will have a great big stitch that happens and needs to be fixed.
Maybe this photo is clearer?
This hadn’t been happening and then all of a sudden I noticed it in the final 2 or so rows going down the length of the quilt. I had to stop and fix in about 3 or 4 areas on the those last rows. I have used the adhesive spray and wondered if that had anything to do with it.
I have all of those areas now fixed and will begin going across the rows on the width. I hope this won’t keep happening. I have changed my needle, rethreaded the machine and adjusted the tension.
Does this happen to you and what do you do to fix it?
Thanks for all that have commented on the Pinterest boards. Yes I thought it was a great place to keep track of all my quilts – I thought that was what a lot of you do – isn’t it? I also have started to put recipes there as well that I want to keep track of – easy to find. I really do not use Pinterest a lot though – I have enough other things to do! I try to keep looking at the site to only a day here and there and only for 30 minutes or so at a time – I don’t want it to become an addiction!! I will gradually add more things to the boards I’m sure.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d say it was caused by a blunt needle – as soon as my machine starts skipping stitches I know it’s time to change the needle! Hope the dentist visit was okay x
Archiethewonderdog recently posted…I’ve finished faffing…I think!
I’m interested in reading the responses on this one — as it has happened to me when periodically as well.
Cathi recently posted…A Shabby Yin Yang
I’ve had this happen occasionally, too. It can be a combination of things… or one single thing. Basically, when the needle goes down and pulls the thread to create the stitch, the timing may be off just a hair and it causes the needle and bobbin threads to not mesh properly and it doesn’t create the stitch. The best fixes to try are changing the needle, cleaning out the bobbin area and adding a drop of oil to your bobbin mechanism. Even a small amount of lint in JUST the right spot can cause your timing to get off on the machine.
I used the spray adhesive once and have not used it since. I used the 505 Spray (which isn’t supposed to gunk up the needle), but it still did and did give me some issues with quilting. The spray may be causing a little bit of the timing issue that creates the skipped stitch.
One thing I have found over the years of doing machine quilting is that choosing your thread really does make a difference, especially on the smaller machines. I used to have skipped stitches all over the place when I did free motion quilting, but as soon as I switched to using a thin thread in the bobbin (like Superior’s Bottom Line thread) and using a thicker thread in the top (So Fine, King Tut, etc) all of those skipped stitches went away. Even when I matched threads top and bottom and used the thicker threads, I had issues with skipped stitches. My machine definitely prefers a very thin thread in the bobbin.
Hope that helps!
Sarah DiDomizio recently posted…Make-A-List Monday
If the big stitch is a skipped stitch then it’s probably a bent needle. You can tell if it is a skipped stitch if you see the needle holes through the fabric but no stitch was formed. The needle might not seem bent but when going through so many layers it actually bends slightly and then can’t pick up the bobbin thread. Try switching to a thicker needle. It has less give and can withstand the quilting process better.
Gina recently posted…Design Wall Monday
I had this recently, too, and it helped to use a new needle from another brand. I had quite cheap needles because I wanted to give them a try, but it seems that my machine don´t like them. So back to the more expensive ones.
I also sometimes have this when the bobbin is almost empty.
Check a) the bobbin tension and b) the needle, are my suggestions. I hope that helps.
Grannymar recently posted…Food for thought
I had this happen right after having my machine serviced. The problem was that the needle bar was set just slightly too high. A tech had to lower it slightly to correct the skipping. The too short needle bar can also happen when you hit pins while sewing over them. I hope your problem is as easy as changing a needle, but if that doesn’t work you may need to head to your local tech.
Lots of great “answers” . On my Bernina 830, I know if and when that happens, my bobbin is not wound tight enough.
Cindy recently posted…MODA Candy Bars
oh wow – so many answers when I got home from the dentist!! I will sit down this evening now and see what happens – I have changed my needle – put in a stronger one, I have re-threaded the machine and reinserted the bobbin. – but before I get going I will clean out the bobbin area as well. thanks for all the answers – I will let you guys know how it works.
Also, check the area under the feed dogs for lint. This may require removing the needleplate completely to do a good job. Even the smallest wisp of lint can cause skipped stitches. The other place lint hides is under the metal tension ‘flap’ on the bobbin casing. This is the flap that the thread slides under when you draw it from the bobbin, through the small slot, under this metal tension ‘flap’ (held in place by a tiny screw that you must never mess with!!!!) and into the small hole. Take a fine straight pin and carefully/slowly insert it under this flap (near the screw) and slide it to the left (towards the little hook at its end). This is a hint I saw from a “long arm” quilter who was addressing tension/stitch issues while quilting. I did this on my Juki and did dislodge a very tiny lint piece. Never would have thought it. The advice/comments you have gotten are all things I, also, thought of and have done with positive results. I wish you the best…..D
treadlemusic recently posted…And now……..
Karen, I would suspect the needle. A), what size and type are you using? My first guess is that the needle is too small and not sharp enough. I’d suggest a 90/14 topstitch needle for quilting, or even move up to a 100/16 if that doesn’t help. My next guess would be “needle flex”, meaning you are having some drag on the quilt where the weight isn’t fully supported, causing the quilt to tug on the needle and making it flex.
CJ Tinkle recently posted…Off to the island!
It could be needle drag. If you can, you should adjust your presser foot. When free motion quilting, or when long-arming, (if you don’t have a hopping foot or a darning foot–one that has a spring) your presser foot should be able to slide a quarter(coin) under it, just barely. So adjusting your presser foot helped me immensely. also thread is a biggie, and your needle may not be exactly 90 degrees. On longarms, the needle shank is totaly round, not a flat spot for positioning. sometimes, for whatever reason,the needle becomes out of position, just slightly and causes skipped stitches. Sorry, but I did not see your post until now. Everyone else is correct as well, dust lint, and thread size, bent or dull needles, all great points, just a few more things from me to help (hopefully not confuse.) Shelley