Find a thread your machine likes...

My machines like the European brands of threads, Aurifil, Metrosene, Mettler seem to work best in my Pfaffs.  Coats and Clark only works for a short time, before my tension becomes messed up.  It has something to do with the way the thread is made.  If you are having  problems try one of these brands.  Cheap and on sale is not always the best option for quilting/sewing.

 Do your self a favor and wind 5 to 10 bobbins at a time.   I like to have gray colored thread in my bobbin.  It is a good blender and goes with about everything.  Unless you are doing an embroidery project, then I recommend using matching threads, as sometimes the bobbin pulls to the top.  Then you have a tension issue, which is a whole other discussion.  I like this variegated gray from Aurifil.  The spools of this thread brand seem to cost more, but, in fact there is around 1500 yards on one spool, which really makes it more economical than your average thread spool. 

I recommend getting a thread box of some sort to avoid the madness that is a drawer of bobbins.

A full day of machine quilting and biking

That's the plan anyway, best laid plans...

We were almost blown away yesterday around here.  I had another problem with my machine, yes, while I was machine quilting-it's perfect on regular sewing.  But, don't give us this giant bed (12 inches) and tell us it doesn't machine quilt well.  So I called the dealership from which I bought the machine to ask some questions.  While I was talking the woman on the other side of town had to go abruptly, there was a tornado nearby and they have glass all around their building sides so she left to take cover.

When she returned there was no damage at Moore's Sewing Center, so on we trudged on trying to figure out what was wrong with my free motion quilting on the Horizon.  What I learned and has worked out is NEVER USE COATS AND CLARK THREAD ON THIS MACHINE.  I had it in the bobbin and switched to Aurifil thread which the machine liked and also, the suggestion was made to change the pressure on the presser foot and I did that too. It looks as if the problem is solved.

I'm using a Quilt Pounce to mark a template for suggestions of the quilting pattern, not following it exactly-my resentment of authority goes to great lengths...smile.

Thread

I cleaned my thread drawer. You know how they get, a jumbled mess sometimes. I've invested in a lingerie chest. It has very shallow drawers which is ideal for laying thread out.

As you can see, I like the Metrosene thread. It's a European brand. I guess I should say my machine likes this type of thread. If I use the Coats and Clark brand which is a variety of percentages wrapped around other threads, it seems to shred in my tension and messes up my stitches so I avoid that brand.

I think my favorite brand it Aurifil. It is a lot of value for the thread you get. It usually comes in a 1500 yard spool, which is about 2 to 3 times larger than other spools of thread. I also like using grey thread. It's a perfect blender for all types of colors.