Favorite FMQ thread?

King Tut variegated (like it marginally more than YLI) - 40 wt.

Sulky rayon (viscose) (like it more or less the same as Madeira rayon) plain or variegated).

I use the rayon when I want a shimmer in the quilting. . In message , Michelle C. writes

Thanks Patti! I'm writing this down. :-)

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada, USa

I second the vote for King Tut.

Trixie

Thanks! :-)

Michelle > I second the vote for King Tut.

Depends on the effect you want to achieve. Love King Tut for a heavier thread. Sulky 12 cotton is up there too. There are several Superior tri-lobal polyester threads that are wonderful and in wonderful colors........ Rainbows (variegated in 1" increments), Brites (Carol Breyer Fallert colors), Art Studio (or is it Studio Art? which are Ricky Tims colors) and Nature Colors and Living Colors (can't remember who suggested those colors......sigh) The solids complement the varigateds and work well as the bobbin thread when using one of the variegated threads on top. They are all

30 or 40 wt. threads. Then there are metallics--both twisted and flat/lam=E9, hologram and lots more. Even though I did attend the Superior Threads Threadology seminar, I am not otherwise associated, etc. But There is lots and lots of information on their website. The thread index gives you wt and fiber content of all their threads. The education section has more info than you ever knew you needed to know and so on. And the general information pertains to any thread.

To start with, I would suggest practicing with a good quality 50 wt. cotton, like Aurifil, Precensia or Masterpiece. Then experiment with any and everything.

Have fun, Pati, > I'm going to be shopping for thread for FMQ. =A0What is everybody's

Ooh all of those sound tantalizing! :-) But for now, white 50 wt Aurifil sounds like the way to go. I'll be keeping your post for future reference though. ;-)

Best regards, Michelle > Depends on the effect you want to achieve. Love King Tut for a

I like Aurifil (50 wt), just as I like it for piecing. I *love* YLI silk thread, too. Both of those are subtle threads, rather than "in your face", suitable for quilting that sort of sneaks up on you instead of jumping out at you. For a "pushier" thread, I like King Tut; it's a bit heavier and can stand on its own for a different effect.

Hey Michelle

I went with the cheaper threads and even tried serger thread when I first started MQ on my MQ Frame. BUMMER Big Time. Eyelashes, thread breaking, lint, constant cleaning of the bobbin area.

I finally opened my moth eaten wallet and bought Aurifil, King Tut and Superior threads. What a difference. I still had some tension problems and decided that it was the way my bobbin was wound by my SM. I tried one of those bobbin winders and that didn't work. I would have purchased a bobbin winder that the pro quilters use but couldn't handle the price. I then turned to pre-wound bobbins.

Yes I know what a waste of money, right. Well I've found the pre- wound bobbins to be a blessing when MQ.

I don't care how much I MQ, I always make a small quilt of the fabric, batting and backing that will be my quilt. I practice on that before I start my MQ. That way if I need to adjust my tension to get good looking sts I can work out those problems on the practice piece.

Kate T. South Mississippi

Thanks Kate! Great information.

Where do you buy prewound bobbins?

I've been thinking about my bobbin tension. Some people have mentioned changing the bobbin tension. If I were to do that, should I loosen it from the standard sewing setting?

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada USA

They say there's no such thing as a dumb question, but..:-)

What is FMQ? I figured out the last two letters are machine quilting.

Sherry

Free Motion Quilting (at least that's what I think it is!)

Louise is right free motion quilting. :-) And you're right there is NO dumb question. I can't count the number of times I've had to ask such things!

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada, USA (who has asked more than her fair share of questions lately)

there certainly is a dumb question. ... its the one you dont ask. j.

"Michelle C." wrote... Louise is right free motion quilting. :-) And you're right there is NO dumb question. I can't count the number of times I've had to ask such things!

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada, USA (who has asked more than her fair share of questions lately)

Sherry wrote:

Howdy!

Friendly Monkey Quilts

R/S

Howdy!

Favorite Mouse Quotient

R/S

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Fairly Mindless Queens

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On Sun, 9 Aug 2009 23:15:58 -0500, Sandy E wrote (in article ):

LOL! Are you coming over here to clean off my iMac?

Maureen

I buy mine at the LQS or from a local store specializing in machine embroidery.

I bought a second bobbin holder just for adjusting the tension. I have one with the factory setting just for regular piecing and a second one so I can adjust the tension.

I put the bobbin in the holder and then do the drop test. You grab hold the the thread and let the bobbin and case drop in your hand. If it drops real quick then the tension is too loose. If it barely drops the tension is too tight. To adjust the tension you have to turn the little screw on the bobin case. I look at the screw like the face of a clock and turn the screw at five minute increments. To the left to tighten or to the right to loosen. Using different weights of thread will cause you to adjust your tension the most. You SM manual should have instructions for adjusting your tension.

Oh and one other thing, clean the bobbin area of your machine after every two bobbins of thread and put a drop of oil, just a drop in the bobbin area of your machine.

Kate T. South Mississippi