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Posted: April 17, 2007, 2:44 PM
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Hi, I purchased HQ sixteen in December. I really like it so far but am still afraid of trying something new. I want to learn so bad! Anyway, I need to get some supplies. What kind of thread is recommended. Everyone has a different idea. Someone told me to get Perma Core Tex 40. Is this a polyester thread and where to get it. My Mom has a old short arm and uses Tex 30. I just need to get some basic colors. I just want to get something that will work well and not have to mess with the tension. I am not very handy with that part of it and don't want to ruin it. Also what speed is best when using stich regulator. I have so uch to learn and dream of the day of doing feathers, etc. Thanks Blue Quilt |
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Posted: April 17, 2007, 9:01 PM
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| So far there hasn't been a thread I can't use. You just have to adjust the tension on the machine and in the bobbin with the different weight threads. I put some muslin on the machine and played with different threads and adjusting the tension till I felt comfortable. Also I always make sure to check my stitches on a separate piece of fabric w/batting each time I change the thread and the needle. Hope this helps. |
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Posted: April 18, 2007, 3:30 PM
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| I bought my HQ 16 from Sandi's Sewing Connection in Burlington, Iowa. She was very helpful and told me right away that I would have trouble with the thread that comes with the machine. She was right. I kept fraying and breaking every 5 minutes! Sandi suggested I use Isacord thread. I bought several neutral colors and have had no problems at all with the Isacord. I also check the tension everytime I start a new project or rethread the machine. I found I had to loosen the tension quite a bit with the Isacord because it is much thinner than the thread that came with the machine. I like to use the groovy boards with the stitch regulator. I put it on 10 stitches per inch and like the results. Don't be afraid to practice on a "cheater quilt" piece first, until you are comfortable with the feel of the machine. I did that as my first quilt and my grand daughter has claimed it as her own little blankey. She does not care about all my practice mistakes. |
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Posted: April 18, 2007, 4:32 PM
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| Don't be afraid of the tension. I once had a teacher completely turn the dial on my regular sewing machine until the thing almost fell off. I thought she was crazy but, I learned that it was not that hard to fix. It took awhile readjusting but, I overcame my fear. She taught me a great lesson when she did that. I reccomend the same as ones before me - have a "cheater quilt" or small 12" squares to test your thread tension each time. Threads - you can use just about any kind. I recommend not using ones that have a great deal of lint. Otherwise you will be cleaning the bobbin area more often. I love Superior Threads So Fine by John Flynn. I use it for the top and bottom. I Never have thread breaks and almost "No lint". I clean and oil my bobbin area each time I put in a new bobbin. I don't have a dealer close to me (more than 3.5 hours away) so I have had to teach myself on the HQ16. I love the videos. They were very helpful. I have had my machine now almost a year in June. I have many friends that now come to me to learn how to machine quilt. |
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Posted: April 18, 2007, 5:34 PM
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| I'm using the Superior thread that John Flynn developed. I did a entire quilt and had no problems with it. It was wonderful because I was able to complete the whole quilt with one bobbin. But I have another quilt on the machine and the same thread keeps hopping out of the thread guide in the bobbin. Very frustrating...I'll be cruising along and suddenly I have loops on the top of my quilt. Any idea why? I've had to stop and pick about 8 times. :( |
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Posted: April 18, 2007, 6:41 PM
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| cj2sew - I was wondering which videos you recommend. My closest dealer is also far away. |
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Posted: April 18, 2007, 10:56 PM
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| I started with Superior threads (they have a great website) and have stuck with them. So far I've not had thread breakage. I love the look of Superior's King Tut 40 wt thread on top and I use their Bottom line in the bobbin. I've also used their Masterpiece with no problems. I ordered their inexpensive color cards with samples of all their threads. |
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Posted: April 20, 2007, 8:23 AM
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| A dealer told me that Bottom line creates a lot of lint and to use Superior Sewfine on the top and bottom. What do you think of Bottom line? |
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Posted: April 24, 2007, 9:32 PM
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| I'll put in my 2 cents more about thread...I do like Bottom line, use it all the time. I don't think it creates lint. It is advertised as "lint-free polyester" thead. I think there will be lint regardless of what thread is used. The needle is going thru cotton, batting and cotton again as well as coming in contact with the cotton thread on top. (I clean lint often with a large make-up brush I bought for this purpose) I like the look of a thicker thread in the quilting design on top of the quilt so I use a 40 wt thread. On the back of the quilt the thinner Bottom Line thread doesn't show which I like, too. (you can wind a lot of this thread on the bobbin because of the finer weight) It's really a matter of preference. |
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Posted: May 2, 2007, 7:13 PM
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| I mostly use King Tut on the top and either prewound Bottom Line or Masterpiece in the bobbin. The Bottom Line doesn't seem to show up as much as a thicker thread but that can be a good thing plus I dislike winding bobbins and the prewounds are soooo convenient. Just take off both pieces of cardboard. |
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Posted: May 3, 2007, 7:59 AM
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| Where do you get the prewound bobbins? Winding bobbins is a hassel sometimes and it would be nice to have some prewounds on hand! Do they come in different colors or just standard black, white and cream? |
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Posted: May 13, 2007, 7:50 PM
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| I have used the superior bottom line prewound. They have lots of colors. |
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Posted: July 2, 2007, 2:06 PM
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| I use all different kinds. I like the maxi-lock swirls because they are inexpensive and quilt up great. |
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Posted: July 16, 2007, 5:25 PM
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| Aurifil is what I used at first and now only use Star - it sews like butter. |
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Posted: July 16, 2007, 6:33 PM
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| I use King Tut and Rainbows and Alex Anderson, almost exclusively. Love Superior threads, they have GREAT customer service. |
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Posted: Sept. 7, 2007, 10:04 PM
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There are 3 CD's on Quilting for the HQ 16 and they are very helpful. I'm sure you can get them directly from HandiQuilter. The names are: Quilting Blocks & Motifs , Quilting Backgrounds, Quilting Borders all by Suzanne Michelle Hyland. Hope this helps. Vicki |
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Posted: Sept. 16, 2007, 1:46 AM
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| I also love Superior threads. You can get them on line or at quilt shows.Just don;t just buy one shipping then won't be so bad. Love King tut threads. |
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Posted: Sept. 16, 2007, 5:10 PM
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Hi, I am having a problem with my thread breaking. I am using Robison Anton thread. It starts to work and the stitches look good and suddenly it breaks. I am in the middle of a quilt so I don't want to change threads now. I am wondering if anyone has had a spool of thread that was damaged in some way. I have changed the needle, changed the position of the needle a little, checked the tension. I'm thinking that maybe it is just a faulty spool of thread. It is very frustrating. Any suggestions or similar experiences? I'm also going to my distributor this week and will bring the thread. Would appreciate any feedback you can give me. Carole |
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Posted: Sept. 17, 2007, 7:46 AM
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| I had a problem with thread breakage and skipped stitches and finally attributed it to be because the fabric was hand dyed. Handiquilter suggested that if this problem came up again, I should go to the larger needle. Since this fabric was only in one block, I managed to get through it. Try going to a larger needle and make sure your bobbin tension is loose enough. Good luck |
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Posted: Sept. 17, 2007, 12:43 PM
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Ladies, It really is in the tension. Learn to adjust it. Don't be afraid of it. You should be able to use any good quality thread. I have even used Coats & Clark. My favorite is Superior though. I try all kinds. I look for the color I want, the density, and strength and then I sew on a little cheater square with the same type of batting (if possible). If it breaks I make sure that I'm using a NEW and proper needle for the thead size. I check my thread path - even rethread. If it breaks I adjust the tension - maybe a number of times. Check your instruction book to be sure the threads look right on top and bottom. If your thread breaks while you are on your quilt top. Slide your machine to the side, rethread needle and bobbin. Use your cheater square and test. If you didn't start with a new needle change it now. I have even found that I have had to adjust my tension sometimes when the amount of the bobbin thread decreases. Whatever you do don't give up. Walk away for awhile. Time to grab a snack or bathroom break. Say a prayer and start over again. Sometimes my machine needs a real break and then it works wonders the very next morning. |
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Posted: Oct. 4, 2007, 4:00 PM
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Okay friends...I'm an idiot....had no idea you had to take the cardboard off the prewound bobbins. Lisa |
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Posted: Oct. 17, 2007, 7:53 AM
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I have only had my machine up and running for about week, I took of my first quilt last night, I really like using variegated threads and I used what I had on hand YLI spools both top and bobbin. I have started to purchase King Tut variegated and am looking forward to trying those. Has anyone else used YLI cotton cones? It did produce a bit of lint. Thanks for all the info. AnnC |
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Posted: Oct. 17, 2007, 8:41 AM
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| I've gotten a LOT of lint with the King Tut, the Superior solid color, and the MaxiLock swirls. Basically, I've gotten a lot of lint with every thread I've used, and I've only been using bottom line so far in the bobbins... |
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