This video was enormously helpful. I was so frustrated with my bobbin tension. I was close to giving up and going back to having other people quilt my stuff. I used these suggestions and the threads are gorgeous right now. Thanks!
I am so very thankful for your comment about Glide thread. My machine has always lived Glide and Magnabobs. But, I had to replace the tensioner a few months ago and my tension has been jacked up ever since. After spending 3 hours today I found your video with the comment about double wrapping the thread around the tensioner and it immediately fixed it!
After hours of checking tensions on bobbin and upper thread, watching countless videos, including this one but not all the way through, voila! Glide thread was the culprit. After winding twice through the tension wheel, I am off to the races! Thanks so much for covering this!
Thank you for all this info. If I could add one more thing from my own experience, watch out for fans. I live in tropical Queensland Australia and constantly have a pedestal fan running and was having some issues intermittently. I worked it out on a cooler day that having the fan blowing on and off the thread was making it flap about a bit. I’ve added a thread net to my spools and make sure I don’t have the fan running full pelt at the side of my frame. I have a HQ Fusion.
Got question. Bobbin tension is good but I have to set the top tension 10 times more than normal to get a perfect sew but it breaks thread bout every 6 to 8 inches. Got any ideals, ready to chunk it in the lake.
I wonder if there is an issue with the spring in your bobbin case. The tension might be fine until you insert it into the machine and it is pressed in too tight. Does it seem like the bobbin is sitting a little high in the bobbin case? Have you tried different bobbins? A different case? A different top thread?
I have a problem setting my tension so that it is consistent across the quilt as I stitch. I may start out with what looks like perfect tension and lay down a nice clean line, yet when I stop at the end of that line and start sewing in a different direction, the bottom or the top tension will be too tight. Sometimes I get pokies on both the top and the bottom in a single line of stitches (when I lay down a longish line). How do I get the tension to be consistent
When you are testing your tension, make sure you do some loops and stars so that you can see if the tension is pulling when you are changing directions.
Please help me , I just got my moxie and I so upset I cannot my bobbin case out. How can I solve this as I urgently need to get a quilt finished. I would be anxiously waiting to hear from you. Thank you Yasmin Macan-Markar
I tried that too but it then pulled up the bobbin thread. My “drop” test for my bobbin was correct. My stitches on the “regular” cotton fabric we’re fine but the”zigzag” stitches on the batik fabric were awful.
I spent almost three years troubleshooting tension issues. Halfway through every single bobbin I quilted, the tension changed with no indication. I purchased a second bobbin case after I troublshot the tension issue to the bobbin and even had my winder repaired. It turned out to be the spring height. Both bobbins cases, brand new straight out of the packaging, had springs with the height set so that the bobbin was sitting too high in the bobbin case. I threw so much money and spent countless hours ripping stitches for almost three years. Please include this in your discussion on bobbin tension. It is not an aspect of tension often touched on.
Are you using stitch regulation? Long stitches sometimes mean that your encoder is off. Check that all of your cables are plugged in all the way. It if persists, please call your retailer or call HQ Technical Support.
I'm using Magnifico thread, and it keeps shredding and breaking (top thread). I've checked my bobbin tension and also made sure there are no loose threads in the bobbin case. Before it happens, my stitches look good, so I think my top tension is okay, too. What typically causes this?
you could try a larger needle - Magnifico is 40# weight polyester thread. Do you have the same thread in your bobbin? or a thinner weight? such as DecoBob, Bottomline, microquilter or any finer/thinner #50,#60,#80 or #100 weight - you will need to check your bobbin tension & adjust as necessary.
I’m so frustrated! My thread keeps shredding. I’ve actually reduced my bobbin tension to nothing. Literally. No tension in it. I’ve replaced the bobbin case but when setting the tension I have to make the top tension extremely tight while the bottom tension is totally loose. Makes no sense. I’ve replaced the needle, retreaded 50 times. It’s superior so fine 40 wt poly thread. My machine just got serviced 3 quilts ago. It just started doing this. WTH!! Anyone have any idea???? Im desperate
I’ve worked on this 10 hours today and got 6 rows of panto done. 5 breaks. I’m about to take a hammer to it. lol. When I pull up the bobbin thread it is actually really loose so there’s no secondary reason the bobbin tension would be tight. It’s not.
Having the same problem on my brand new machine, no matter how tight the top thread is, I have eyelashes on the bottom. Until its so tight the thread breaks and I still have eyelashes.
Have you tried a new needle? Is the needle the correct size for your thread? Are you using a high quality quilting thread? Is your thread path correct? I would suggest calling into Handi Quilter if you are still having issues.
Hi Deb , You need to tighten your top tension, or loosen your bobbin tension. HQ recommends setting your bobbin tension first, then adjusting your top tension according to the thickness of your top thread, wadding/batting you are using etc.
![Coheed and Cambria - Searching for Tomorrow [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hDsYGLbmadg/mqdefault.jpg)
This video was enormously helpful. I was so frustrated with my bobbin tension. I was close to giving up and going back to having other people quilt my stuff. I used these suggestions and the threads are gorgeous right now. Thanks!
Oh my goodness, thank you so much. This video is the most helpful I’ve ever watched!!!🎉
I am so very thankful for your comment about Glide thread. My machine has always lived Glide and Magnabobs. But, I had to replace the tensioner a few months ago and my tension has been jacked up ever since. After spending 3 hours today I found your video with the comment about double wrapping the thread around the tensioner and it immediately fixed it!
Would love a copy of your guide
After hours of checking tensions on bobbin and upper thread, watching countless videos, including this one but not all the way through, voila! Glide thread was the culprit. After winding twice through the tension wheel, I am off to the races! Thanks so much for covering this!
Glad it helped
Thank you Johnny and Kim. Tension is always a concern. Great video. I am looking forward to the Bobbin video
Coming soon!
That quilt in the background is amazing, it almost looks like the same fabric i made a strip pieced quilt but laid out differently.
Thank you - Thank you! So helpful!!
Excellent information & instruction. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. These videos are wonderful. Keep them coming.
Thank you! Will do!
Thank you for all this info. If I could add one more thing from my own experience, watch out for fans. I live in tropical Queensland Australia and constantly have a pedestal fan running and was having some issues intermittently. I worked it out on a cooler day that having the fan blowing on and off the thread was making it flap about a bit. I’ve added a thread net to my spools and make sure I don’t have the fan running full pelt at the side of my frame. I have a HQ Fusion.
Great tip!
I use a dot of nail polish to keep the two bobbin styles of my regular machines straight. That’s a great idea for the tension dial.
Great job explaining!
Loved the video. I can't find the PDF of the tension tips that you shared. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank You!
The link is in the video description. You will probably need to click on the "more" button to see the full description.
Thanks!!
Great information. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
This video was very helpful, thank you. I don't see the link for the PDF. Can you direct me to it please?
Such great info. Thanks!
Can tension issues make your thread shred or pop after every few stitches
Yes, if your tension is not set properly, you can definitely have those issues.
where is the video on all the different bobbins you speak of in this video?
ruclips.net/video/BoT6HXzgidM/видео.html
Good video, but so much to remember (I'm new to long arming). Where can I find the link to the PDF?
Thank you.
Thank you!!! 🙏
You are so welcome!
my top thread breaks
Got question. Bobbin tension is good but I have to set the top tension 10 times more than normal to get a perfect sew but it breaks thread bout every 6 to 8 inches. Got any ideals, ready to chunk it in the lake.
I wonder if there is an issue with the spring in your bobbin case. The tension might be fine until you insert it into the machine and it is pressed in too tight. Does it seem like the bobbin is sitting a little high in the bobbin case?
Have you tried different bobbins? A different case? A different top thread?
I have a problem setting my tension so that it is consistent across the quilt as I stitch. I may start out with what looks like perfect tension and lay down a nice clean line, yet when I stop at the end of that line and start sewing in a different direction, the bottom or the top tension will be too tight. Sometimes I get pokies on both the top and the bottom in a single line of stitches (when I lay down a longish line). How do I get the tension to be consistent
When you are testing your tension, make sure you do some loops and stars so that you can see if the tension is pulling when you are changing directions.
Please help me , I just got my moxie and I so upset I cannot my bobbin case out. How can I solve this as I urgently need to get a quilt finished. I would be anxiously waiting to hear from you. Thank you Yasmin Macan-Markar
HELP!!! What do I do about the “zigzag “look I’m getting in my stitches. All of the tutorials address tension but not this zigzag problem.
When I have had that look it is normally that my top tension is not tight enough.
I tried that too but it then pulled up the bobbin thread. My “drop” test for my bobbin was correct. My stitches on the “regular” cotton fabric we’re fine but the”zigzag” stitches on the batik fabric were awful.
How. Do I find someone to come out and get it set?
Check with a retailer in your area. You can find them with the locator on the Handi Quilter website.
I spent almost three years troubleshooting tension issues. Halfway through every single bobbin I quilted, the tension changed with no indication. I purchased a second bobbin case after I troublshot the tension issue to the bobbin and even had my winder repaired. It turned out to be the spring height. Both bobbins cases, brand new straight out of the packaging, had springs with the height set so that the bobbin was sitting too high in the bobbin case. I threw so much money and spent countless hours ripping stitches for almost three years. Please include this in your discussion on bobbin tension. It is not an aspect of tension often touched on.
Thank you for that! We'll keep that in mind.
What do I do if my top thread keeps breaking?
What to do when you have eyelashes on top of your quilt?
That means your top thread tension is too tight and needs to be loosened. Assuming that your bobbin tension is set properly.
i get log stitches on tophow do i fix it
Are you using stitch regulation? Long stitches sometimes mean that your encoder is off. Check that all of your cables are plugged in all the way. It if persists, please call your retailer or call HQ Technical Support.
Where can I find the pdf?
I'm using Magnifico thread, and it keeps shredding and breaking (top thread). I've checked my bobbin tension and also made sure there are no loose threads in the bobbin case. Before it happens, my stitches look good, so I think my top tension is okay, too. What typically causes this?
you could try a larger needle - Magnifico is 40# weight polyester thread. Do you have the same thread in your bobbin? or a thinner weight? such as DecoBob, Bottomline, microquilter or any finer/thinner #50,#60,#80 or #100 weight - you will need to check your bobbin tension & adjust as necessary.
I’m so frustrated! My thread keeps shredding. I’ve actually reduced my bobbin tension to nothing. Literally. No tension in it. I’ve replaced the bobbin case but when setting the tension I have to make the top tension extremely tight while the bottom tension is totally loose. Makes no sense. I’ve replaced the needle, retreaded 50 times. It’s superior so fine 40 wt poly thread. My machine just got serviced 3 quilts ago. It just started doing this. WTH!! Anyone have any idea???? Im desperate
I’ve worked on this 10 hours today and got 6 rows of panto done. 5 breaks. I’m about to take a hammer to it. lol. When I pull up the bobbin thread it is actually really loose so there’s no secondary reason the bobbin tension would be tight. It’s not.
I hope you figured this out. My bobbin thread keeps breaking but it is not tight. It doesnt get tight until i sew for a minute. So frustrating!
Having the same problem on my brand new machine, no matter how tight the top thread is, I have eyelashes on the bottom. Until its so tight the thread breaks and I still have eyelashes.
My upper tension stays around 25-75
My thread keeps breaking. ????? At my wits end.
Have you tried a new needle? Is the needle the correct size for your thread? Are you using a high quality quilting thread? Is your thread path correct? I would suggest calling into Handi Quilter if you are still having issues.
I keep getting eyelashes on the back side. What do I do. Deb of South Dakota
Hi Deb , You need to tighten your top tension, or loosen your bobbin tension. HQ recommends setting your bobbin tension first, then adjusting your top tension according to the thickness of your top thread, wadding/batting you are using etc.
@@nickyg-uk5055 thanks Nicky, I will try that and see. I just couldn't get it and it's been 2 years since I have used it . That makes me sad.
I guess handi quilter is to busy to reply to their customers…..