It sounds like a tension problem and you don't mention that you tried changing the tension. On my machine, I would try tightening it and see if that helps.

Choosing the appropriate thread for quilting has always been a challenge for me. I recently attended a quilting class, and we were told (by a professional quilter) that you should really use the same thread, top and bobbin, for successful quilting results. I know that's not always the look we're going for, but it certainly saves a lot of headaches. The difference in weight (thickness) of the cotton thread and the filament, is, I think, the cause of your problem. Even 2 different colors, top and bobbin, don't usually work. On either front or back, some of the "wrong" color stitches will be pulled up where you don't want to see them. I hope this helps.

Sorry, Kaysu, but I just don't agree with that. I do quilt with a long-arm, semi-professionally.

I frequently use different threads (and different weight threads) top and bottom on my long-arm machine. I have often used a monofilament on top with a cotton or cotton-poly or a rayon on the bottom. Yes, I do have to balance the tension for each combination. But one should always adjust the tensions with each new project.

Kathy, check the tensions both needle and bobbin. They do change over time.

Kathy I am having exactly the same problem and I never play with my bobbin tension. LA are way different than our sewing machines. It seems to be worse with the new nylon .004. My friends have told me to use the monofilament on top and botton. They also said to wind the bobbin very slowly so not to stretch the thread. I haven't had time to try this, but if you try it and it works, please let me know.
Jean

Thanks everyone for your input. I did play with the tension, and by tightening it, the inv. thread did stop bunching up on the back, and the stitching looks okay, but the cotton bobbin thread will pull out the end of the row, like it isn't intertwined with the inv. thread at all.

As I said before, when I put cotton thread on top and in the bobbin, the stitches look just fine. I think when I've used inv. thread on top, I also used inv. in the bobbin. I know I've used inv. in bobbins and cotton on top many times with no problems.

I think I'll rethink the inv. thread and try to figure out a color that will blend with the quilt top.

Thanks again for your help.

Don't give up! If the bottom thread pulls out too easily, just increase the tension on the needle thread a tiny bit and it will take care of it. I don't longarm but I do like to play with different threads - getting comfortable with adjusting the tension on your machine doesn't take long and it will make a huge difference in the threads you can use. Sounds like you are almost there!

I adjust the tensions frequently in my machines, and don't hesitate to do it and like Mary C says, have gotten away with murder on occasion using two totally different weight and types of threads for the top and bobbin. BUT!............

Last month I bought a cone of thread, and went crazy trying to get it to work. I adjusted my heart out, tried it on top, tried it in the bobbin. Tried it on the top and bobbin. Nothing worked. The thread either bunched up, or broke. Over, and over and over.

I got out my machine manual and went through all the troubleshooting suggestions, and it wasn't until I pitched that thread into my hand-sewing section, and decide not to use it...... and went back to my old stash did my machine once again behave. I don't know if there was winding issues or what on the suspect thread, causing it to not feed properly or bind, but no way, no how, no matter what I did, it would not work on my machine.

Calliope,
Do you use a thread stand for the cone thread? I found that makes a huge difference with cross-wound cones of thread.

Oh, and I may not have said above, but I often use different weights of threads in my domestic sewing machine, not just the long-arm. Machine embroidery, for example, uses lightweight bobbin thread. It requires a different bobbin tension. If I go back to piecing or quilting, I use the same thread top and bottom, and both the top and bobbin tensions must be adjusted and balanced.

I know that every time I say this I get blasted - but I'll say it again. Adjusting your bobbin tension is not a sin, the world won't end, and it will not ruin your machine, and you'll get better sewing and quilting results if you learn how to do it.

I have used the cone thread with my Janome at different times for several years but when I got the Babylock Espire and tried to use it it wouldn't work without giving me troubles so I don't use it there. I do use a table stand with the Jamome but the Babylock has it's own on the machine for cone spools.
I had a big problem a few weeks ago the the Babylock, a long story, but it turned out that it was in the treading, apparently it doesn't always seat well in the upper tension. I wonder if that could be the case with the invisable thread.
I, too, use different wt.s and different threads when sewing with only minor adjustments. I have an extra bobbin case for the Janome which allows me to play with the tension but leave the regular one alone. The machines have programed tensions that allow a lot of adjustments.
My 2 cents,
Jayne

I didn't get a chance to play with my tension today, but I will get back to it soon. I need to get that quilt quilted, and I just don't think any of the cotton thread colors I have are going to look good, with all the different colors in the quilt top. I really want to use invisible on top.

I've never adjusted my bobbin tension, I'm scared of it. LOL Mama used to threaten us within an inch of our lives if we touched the top tension, can't imagine what bodily harm we would've faced if we even thought about touching the bobbin tension.

I looked in my sewing machine manual, it has a section on changing the top tension, but no mention of changing the bottom tension.

Anyone want to give a tutorial on the bobbin tension? I'm eager to learn!

Can you post a picture of the top? Those of us who have quilted professionally might have some ideas for a colored thread based on our years of experience. I personally have quilted around 100 quilts and have never used invisible thread.

Annie

Here is a picture of the quilt, it is sandwiched and ready to quilt. The shiney objects are the pins.LOL Any thread color opinions will be appreciated.

What about using a variegated thread? You could probably find that at a Joann's store if you have one near you.

Teresa

I'd go with a deep, rich gold.

Annie

I'd go w/ a medium gray or a gray/slate blue (sort of like the color in the outside border). Nice quilt indeed!

Kathy, here is a pretty well explained explanation of adjusting the bobbin tensions and the rationale behind why machines do what they do with tension maladjustments.

I dislike invisible thread, probably because when it first came out, it was used a lot in clothing and undergarments, where the stiff filaments would drive me insane poking against my skin. I don't know if they've been improved upon, or how it would strike me in a quilt, where there shouldn't be loose threads to poke.

But, do not be afraid of your bobbin tension. I don't have to adjust mine often, but they can get out of sync, just like any other mechanical adjustment, and really need 'calibrated' sometimes, even just to work with common thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: adjusting the bobbin tensions

This is a very interesting thread (pun intended). I have nothing of value to contribute but wanted to say I love that quilt.

Faye

Calliope, thank you for the link to the embroidery site, looks like it will be very helpful in explaining different thread types and tension adjusting, both top and bottom. I've book marked it and will study more when I have the time.

Thanks for all the compliments on my quilt, and the opinions on the thread colors. I laid a string of deep, rich gold across some of the blocks, and also a string of slate blue. I'm thinking the gold will blend better with the colors in the fabrics. I'll think on it some more and maybe try other colors to see which is best.

This quilt has a story (don't they all!). I'll try to tell the story without tearing up so much that I can't see to type.

My oldest sister's dh was diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2003, he had surgery, radiation and chemo, and was told in 2004 that he was cancer free. In 2005 the cancer came back, he went through treatments again at that time. He had lost a lot of weight and was very sick and very cold natured. I started piecing this lap quilt for him in November 2005, didn't tell anyone I was making it for him. About the time I got the piecing finished, his Drs. told my sister that he wouldn't be around much longer, and before I could get the quilt sandwiched and quilted, he passed away in Jan 2006. The quilt has hung on a hanger in my sewing room since that time, I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. This man had been my BIL, but more like a brother to me since I was 15 years old, I'm 61 now. I've never told anyone that I made this quilt, but recently, I pulled the quilt top out of the closet and decided I want to finish it and give it to my niece, their daughter, as something that is, in a way, connected to her daddy. She's a very special niece to me, and I feel that I'm special to her. I'm just not sure if I can tell her the story of this quilt, without losing control, and I would sure love to get through it without losing control, for her sake.

Tell me, do all of you think this is a good idea, or not? I just can't think about finishing the quilt and letting anyone else have it.

What a great thought and I am sure that your niece would cherish it. If you find it too difficult to tell her the story with out loosing control why now write what you just shared with us and tuck it in with the quilt. It would be so special for her I know. It is a lovily quilt and what ever you decide will be perfect. TFS Jayne

Oh my gosh............it is a special quilt, indeed. Yes, sometimes quilts are meant to be given a home to a special person, and perhaps this quilt was waiting for the right time to become whole and find its way home.

I finished off a quilt I found started in my mother's closet. She had always wanted to make a quilt, and never finished it when she left this earth at 91 years of age. It was difficult for me not only because I was working on it, and using her stash........but it wasn't a pattern I'd normally pick, and I was obliged to continue what was for me (at that time) a difficult pattern. I gave it to my son and his new wife for their first anniversary to put in the new house they're building on their farm. I think my mother's spirit would like to sit on their bed in the country and look out over rolling fields and woods. I gave my daughter the quilt I finished and lay over my mother to warm her on her last night in her own home. I felt like I was giving a piece of her to both of them, and that she is hugging them when they snuggle under it.

It's a beautiful quilt, just beautiful. She'll treasure it in many ways.

Jayne, thank you so much for your kind words. I think I will write this story in a note and include it with the quilt, thanks for that idea, I never thought of doing that.

Oh Calliope, your story made me tear up more so than my story. How touched your children must be to get the quilts that meant so much to their grandmother, and has the loving stitches of their mother in them. Your mother will be watching over them as she resides in their homes through these quilts.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Hi Kathy,

Strikes me that including a Note w/ the story of the quilt would be the perfect way to give it to her.

Am curious how the gold thread would look against the border & dark blues, would have thought it stands out too much. Anyway, I guess you can test different threads until you find the combination you like best.

As to giving a special quilt away pls. see the Photo Gallery for my post abt The Dad Quilt, Story & pix of a similar situation I've had.

I just have to ask, what fabric is on the reverse of this? I'm dying of curiosity.

Pirate girl--Your Dad quilt is very special.

Kathy--Don't be afraid to switch thread colors from section to section as you quilt. You could definitely use a blue in the blue blocks and the borders, and a red, dark brown, hunter green or gold in the red/green/gold blocks. I've done quilts that have had literally dozens of thread colors used on them. I don't think you need to go to that extreme, but choosing a couple of different colors might solve your dilemma.

This is a very special quilt and I think that your niece will treasure it not only because it shows how much you loved her Dad, but also how much you love her. What a lovely gift for her.

Annie