This is disgusting. I've never had this kind of trouble before. I wanted to get a toddler quilt MQ'd and the binding on by next weekend.

Size 12 quilting needle - broke - and it was the last one
Size 12 universal needle - broke - so I quit for the night.
After church and lunch...had no 14 needles of any sort so - what the hey - I stuck in a size 16. Broke quicker than the 12s.

I'm going to spend the rest of the day taking out FMQing on 5 ABC blocks, hook the walking foot to the machine and do some straight stitching.

To quote Yosemite Sam - rackin frackin...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

I've become a huge fan of titanium needles....I use mostly the 14 and 16 size - they sure do last and hold up through whatever I give 'em.

I can understand your frustration...hopefully another day will make the stitching flow smoothly.

I'm off for Columbus Day tomorrow. I've already instructed DH to not let me get dressed and leave for work.

I'm thinking about a trip to town for needles and more thread...just a 90 mile round trip is all...bummer. But I'm sure I can talk DH into a lunch too.

It sounds like you might be moving the fabric too fast so the needle is still there and gets tugged to one side crunching into the throat plate.
Been there.

piney

Now I'm not even a good novice with fmq, but should you use a topstitch needle?? I know I should have stocked up on needles the last time I was LQS or JAs, but I forgot all about them. Might go out tomorrow and get some. Thanks for the reminders. Pat

Sorry about all of those broken needles . Glad that you stopped after two in one night and wish that had been the end of your needle adventure.

Hope that all goes better for you tomorrow. Get up, eat some chocolate and the go to town for more needles .

Isn't that aggravating to not be able to keep finishing the project. I need to go rethink the thread that I am using for a second project today. It keeps breaking, too. I'll try a new needle and hope it works.

Hope you can get some quickly and get back to it.

Use topstich needle it is stronger and has a deeper groove. I use it on my quilting machine and what a difference it makes.

New needle and S*L*O*W D*O*W*N.

I've never had this trouble before!

I know this will seem obvious but are you using a free motion foot and have you dropped the feed dogs. These are common things that free motion quilters sometimes forget.

Topstitch or jeans needle 16 or larger and I do NOT drop my dogs when FMQ...Slow and steady get some bubble gum too Oh and re-thread the machine again,check the tension..is it too tight?

This to shall pass...you'll get it done.

You know - I haven't dropped the feed dogs in the past, but did on this project. Hmmm...I'll try it both ways tomorrow.

I got this baby from the hospital before COF. The tension roller and tension motor were replaced. If I can't get it working correctly by next weekend, I'll take my machine back to the hospital.

So is the the first FMQ you have done on it since it was discharged from the hospital? Could have something to do with it.

The same thing happened to me last week while trying to complete FMQ a Quilt for Kids and my S to T challenge.

I found that I should adjust my speed regulator on my Bernina helped a lot. Thank goodness I wear glasses as when one of them broke the tip of the needle flew off and hit my glasses. Who knew I need safety glasses to sew!

• • • There has to be a reason they keep breaking. Make sure the thread is flowing freely into the machine. Sometimes my thread gets caught on the spool.

Did you test the machine when it came back? Have you tried sewing in regular mode since the breaks?

I've switched to titaniums also, but they still break when they hit a pin.
In fact, I broke two last week.

Good Luck

One more thing, and it's something the quilters in my classes. Used to forget..be sure you have lower your presser foot in order to engage the tension.

Yes, yes, and yes.

This is the first FM since getting the machine repaired.
I finished my COF tabletopper on that machine, even using some of the fancy stitches to quilt in the stripes through all the layers.
My machine won't run unless the pressure foot is down.

Many thanks for your trouble-shooting ideas!

I think speeding my machine up may help. After getting new needles, I'll try that too.

TY all!

So far - so good. I ran out of bobbin thread and am almost finished with the third block.
I have a #14 topstitch needed.
Speeded up the machine.
Slowed down moving the fabric.

(Non-sewing BFF did not understand speed up and slow down. )

This is an interesting thread. Now I have to ask, who makes the titanium needles? Haven't heard of that, but it sounds like everybody likes them.

Also, KC, what speed setting do you use with your BSR. I've never given that much of a thought, but I want to know.

I think Piney hit the nail on the head. And I have a divot in the needle plate of my machine to back that up - and a couple of dings in quilting feet...... For me it doesn't matter so much the individual speeds of the machine or the quilt - they just have to be compatible. I more of a slow and steady (old lady) sort of quilter (more of a waltz than a tango in dancing terms).

I bought some Klasse' titanium (actually just titanium coated) machine embroidery needles. They are supposed to last longer with that coating. I haven't done enough ME to have an opinion one way or the other about that! Pretty sure they wouldn't make them more resistant to breaking during FM quilting.

Oh...I didn't find titanium needles. I'd probably have to order them - if I do much more machine quilting. Well...I'd better order some then. I hand quilt the quilts I make for me, but I'm not putting that much effort into finishing the kids quilts. Once they get grown...that's a different story. If they are "into" quilts, I'll make certain that they get one "done right" out of my stash.

Let me elaborate before I hurt feelings out there...

I've seen some absolutely AMAZING machine quilted quilts. Many are works of art.

Mine are "serviceable" - nothing outstanding. I hope the quilts I make my grands are loved up, dragged through the house, cuddled up with their pets. I would cringe if that happened with one of my hand quilted quilts.

quote:

Originally posted by Bozie:
... I more of a slow and steady (old lady) sort of quilter (more of a waltz than a tango in dancing terms).

Me too, think Skater's Waltz, Daisy Daisy give me your answer do.... and a few others my mom played on the organ.

Glad you got the quilting done with no more broken needles.

piney

FINISHED! One down, two to go.
Whew! Photos later...

quote:

Originally posted by Will Quilt for Chocolate:
This is an interesting thread. Now I have to ask, who makes the titanium needles? Haven't heard of that, but it sounds like everybody likes them.

Also, KC, what speed setting do you use with your BSR. I've never given that much of a thought, but I want to know.

Well, that is really a good question! Most of my FMQ is done with without the BSR at medium speed setting. Since I have a bad habit of looking where I am sewing instead of where I am going to sew causes me to sew my finger. Until I can break that habit, the BSR is on hold.