Superior Threads

* Tips And Hints | Listed By Machine Type

APQS:
Winding MonoPoly on the APQS Turbo Bobbin Winder by Dawn Cavanaugh
Some quilters have frowned on using invisible thread in the past, mainly due to its thickness and the risk that nylon invisible thread would eventually become brittle from exposure to light or heat. Now that invisible thread is available in a thin, polyester version from Superior Threads, using invisible thread presents many advantages for the machine quilter.
Superior's MonoPoly is only .004 inches in diameter, making it suitable for many quilting situations, such as outlining and highlighting applique, stitching in the ditch, couching decorative threads, quilting red work quilts, and more. What's even better, MonoPoly is strong yet has low stretch, making it wonderful for use in the bobbin of an APQS machine as well as through the needle.
The new Turbo Bobbin Winder from APQS winds bobbins in a fraction of the time it takes on a traditional free-standing bobbin winder. Because the MonoPoly thread can be slippery as it leaves the spool at such a high speed, try folding a small piece of batting into about a one-inch square and then wedging this batting into the thread guide directly above the spool. Push the batting into the curve of the thread guide just until it puts a slight amount of pressure on the MonoPoly thread. This will help ensure that the thread doesn't tangle as it leaves the spool. Another feature of the Turbo Bobbin Winder is the ability to adjust the tension on the thread as it winds on a bobbin. Loosen the tension by turning the tension knob to the left. Depending on where you started with the tension setting, you may need to loosen the tension a full turn or more, so that the invisible thread does not unduly stretch as it winds on the bobbin. In addition, wind the bobbin only half full.
The goal is to get the invisible thread to behave just like normal sewing thread. If you notice that it is very kinky when wound on the bobbin, then loosen the tension even more before winding another bobbin. Finally, adjust the tension on the bobbin case by loosening the screw closest to where the thread exits the bobbin case. You may need to loosen it considerably. Pull on the bobbin thread after it is loaded into the bobbin case and under the tension finger, then release the thread. It should not be kinky, but should behave similarly to normal quilting thread. Test your tension by sewing on a scrap quilt sandwich, and adjust the top or bobbin tension as needed.

Quilting with Rainbows Thread on an APQS Quilting Machine by Dawn Cavanaugh
The dazzling color effects achieved with Rainbows thread from Superior Threads can really enhance your quilt tops. Rainbows thread works well on all models of APQS quilting machine.
To achieve top performance from Rainbows, begin by inserting a new needle (an MR 4.0 or #18/#19 works best). Needles with dull points or grooves worn into the eyes will cause the thread to shred and break. Next, evaluate your choice for bobbin thread. Bottom Line or MonoPoly both work well as bobbin threads. Loosen the tension on the bobbin case so that the Rainbows thread has a chance to pull the bobbin thread into the quilt sandwich without breaking. Adjust the top tension until the Rainbows thread pulls the bobbin thread into the quilt batting. If it breaks frequently, loosen the bobbin case tension even more.
Practice good quilting habits, such as making sure the fabric is not too taut between your rollers, adjusting side clamps to prevent undue pressure on the quilt sides, and choosing batting that is not too thin (thin batting doesn't give the thread much air space in which to lock between the layers.) If the thread peels off erratically from the spool, insert a small piece of cotton batting into the thread guide directly above the spool to apply a slight amount of pressure on the thread.
Check that the thread path is correct, and test for any notches or burrs that might be hiding inside the pigtail thread guides on the side of the machine and above the needle. Worn spots or notches on the guides will shred not only Rainbows thread, but others as well. Do this by simply grasping the thread above and below the thread guide, and sliding it around the inside of the guide as if to floss the guide. A notch will catch on the thread. If you do find a notch, order new guides from APQS. In the meantime, loosen the screw on the thread guide and rotate it 180 degrees, then retighten the screw. This temporary repositioning will cause the thread to rub on a different spot on the thread guide and will allow you to keep on quilting.
If you notice that the Rainbows thread wants to cling to the tension side of your machine, try rubbing a dryer sheet on that side to reduce static. In addition, APQS offers an optional fly wheel cover that mounts directly over the fly wheel. This prevents the fly wheel from accidentally grabbing the thread and pulling it inside the machine.
Finally, remember that high quilting speeds create a great amount of friction heat as the needle enters and exits the fabric. If you encounter thread breakage at high speeds or when you move the machine quickly, simply pace yourself and move a little slower to give the needle a chance to exit the fabric completely and stay cool.

Sewing with Superior Metallic Threads on APQS Quilting Machines by Dawn Cavanaugh
Adding sparkle to your quilts with metallic threads from Superior is easy on an APQS quilting machine. Some simple adjustments will make quilting with these fun threads easy.
First, begin with a new needle (MR 4.0 or #18/#19 works best.) Metallic threads are not as rugged as normal quilting thread, and will benefit from a little TLC. Check to make sure that your thread guides do not have notches or grooves in them because the metallic thread will easily shred and break if caught by one. Simply grasp the thread above and below each thread guide, and floss the guide by moving the thread around the inside of the guide. If the thread catches on a notch, order a new thread guide from APQS. In the meantime, loosen the screw on the offending thread guide and rotate the guide 180 degrees, then tighten the screw. Repositioning the guide will make the metallic thread rub on a different spot away from the notch, so that you can begin quilting right away.
If you use a spool rather than a cone, mount the spool on a horizontal spool holder for best performance. Adjust the white spool end caps so that the spool spins freely, but doesn't shift easily between the two end caps. Experiment with whether the spool spins more freely with the thread coming off the top of the spool, or feeding off the bottom.
Friction from the needle increases with metallic threads, so slow down somewhat to keep the needle cool as you sew. Some quilters treat metallic spools with a silicone product such as Sewer's Aid, available in many notions departments. This may also help keep the needle cool. Be sure to loosen the top tension when using metallic thread, sometimes a lot, depending on your initial setting. You'll typically also need to loosen the bobbin case tension as well. Choose a bobbin thread that is smooth, such as Superior's Bottom Line or So Fine! invisible thread. The tiny fibers on cotton thread in the bobbin tend to grab the metallic thread, causing excess breakage. Finally, to have invisible starts and stops with metallic thread, leave a generous tail of thread when you begin and end the stitching line. Thread these tails on to a quilting needle, and bury the tails into the quilt layers using a traditional hand quilting knot. This keeps your quilt back looking neat and your decorative stitching looking professional.

Bernina
My Bernina Aurora 440 QE stand-up spool holder has no base to support a wobbly spool of thread. The removable top on thread spools make an excellent base for the extra thread holder on sewing machines. Using the Superior top is an ideal solution.

Some models of Bernina machines have a clip-like thread guide just before the needle. This often does more harm than good because it presses the thread against the machine. We recommend skipping this final thread guide when using decorative or sensitive threads. New models will no longer have this and a new thread guide is available to install on previous models.

Most commonly recommended needle: Superior Titanium-coated Topstitch Needles # 90/14 Most common upper tension setting: 1.0 for metallic. 2.0-3.0 for other. Bobbin tension. If the bobbin thread is breaking, loosen the bobbin tension by 1/4 turn counter clockwise. Some machines are factory set quite snug and requiring loosening.

Gammill
The bobbin tension should be loose enough that if you hold the bobbin case in your left hand and pull the thread up with your right hand, the bobbin case should not lift off your left hand. The old 4 inch drop test is gone. After adjusting the bobbin tension, any adjustments done on top will be more effective.

I run a Gammill, and my clients LOVE Poly Quilter. To get the best tension possible with this thread, I put it in the bobbin as well as the top. I loosen the bobbin tension a little bit, and tighten up the top tension. This seems backwards with such a thick thread, but it works to reign in the bottom pokies.

Do you want to use cardboard-sided prewound bobbins? Remove the anti-backlash spring from the bobbin case and they will work much better. You get a lot more yardage on the SuperBOBs prewound bobbins (215 yds.)

I have been running So Fine, Rainbows and the gold Metallic without breaking. I am such a happy camper!! Two things have helped:
1. Threading under (not around) the intermittent tension disk and back to the thread counter disk.
2. The thread guide gadget from Accomplish Quilting that realigns the final thread guide so it is directly over the needle.

Experiencing skipped stitches? Check this:
1. Bent needle
2. Too wide a gap between the needle scarf and the hook point, allowing the thread to slip past the point of the rotary hook. Solution: Move the hook assembly closer to the needle to reduce the gap. Make sure the scarf of the needle is to the hook side.
Recommended needle for decorative threads: Size #18/#19 (MR 4.0) Groz-Beckert SAN-6 or SAN-11 (SAN stands for Special Application Needle).

Janome
6500 and 6600 Professional. When I free-motion, I generally sew very fast and tight on my stippling. Doing this on my machine often causes the fabric to be punched through the needle plate, resulting in a jam with the bobbin casing. To stop this, I purchased a single needle plate (small round hole to be used with straight stitch only), use Superior Titanium-coated Topstitch Needles and your Libby Lehman Bottom Line threads in the bobbin. This combination of efforts is the ONLY thing that has worked to allow me to successfully machine quilt my projects, and it works perfectly every time.

When using a specialty thread such as metallic, I skip the very last thread guide as it tends to put too much tension or friction on the thread, causing breakage. Skipping the guide makes a huge difference.

Viking
When you thread your machine, make sure to hold the thread above the tension disc so that when you thread it you can really make sure to pull the thread up snugly into the disk. When the thread is all loopy on the bottom of the fabric, the reason is usually that it hasn't gotten into the tension disc.

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