Tension Problems?

[Maureen Wozniak]

I've been machine quilting for the first time. Yesterday, after the
first row of stiching I found a rat's nest on the back. I rewound the
bobbin and rethreaded the machine. Weeks ago I'd really loosened the
top tension (down to 1) to
keep the nylon thread from breaking. Today when I started over, the
bobbin thread just laid along the back of the quilt. Took everything
apart,
cleaned all the lint out of the bobbin case, and rethreaded. Then
tightened the top tension. That seemed to help.
This seems really odd. I've never had a problem with tension before
on this machine (Viking Husky 170). It's only about 4 years old. In
fact, before I tried the machine quilting, I've never even had to adjust

the top tension at all.
I don't know what's going on. It seems to me that I shouldn't have to
readjust the tension in the middle of the project. Does that happen?
Often? Did I have the top tension too loose when I did the rest of the
quilt
Do I need to take the machine into the dealer? I clean and oil it
before every project and change the needle. The owner's manual doesn't
say that it needs regular service at the dealer and I'm not keen about
the idea of being without the machine for any length of time. I've got
a pile of mending that I've been putting off and several other projects
lined up.

Does anyone have an idea about what might be going on?

Thanks, Maureen

[Loren Hendrickson]

All of the above. I finally sprang for a 2nd bobbin case for my machine.
One stays as is, all the time, perfectly adjusted for basis straight line
stitching. The other I mess with to my heart's content, tightening,
loosening, nylon thread, metalic thread, whatever. I feel better messing
with my bobbin tension, knowing there is still a good case set and ready to
go if I get too frustrated with what I am trying to do.

Related to this, a great tip from a machine quilter... if your quilting
design allows, put the fancy thread in the bobbin and thread the top with
regular thread, then quilt upside down. Metalics do much better when they
don't have to go all the way through the machine and needle.

[Tara Lynne Voda]

Did you say that you were quilting with nylon thread? I use cheap nylon
thread, and it's tempermental. If my machine starts to heat up, the thread
will melt and stretch. If the thread breaks off in the bobbin area, it's
really hard to see the culprit. Also, I find that the thread twists on
itself as it comes off the spool. Every half hour, I have to stop quilting
and rethread, dangling the spool to unwind the twisting, or else...rat's
nest!
Hope this helps. If it isn't one thing, it's another.
Tara

[yvonne vesel]

Are you sure it's the right bobbin????? See Sarahs solution to the tension
problem...Yvonne in Oz

[Maureen Wozniak]

I've only got one bobbin case and the bobbins that came with the machine. I
wish it were that simple.

Maureen

[Lenora C]

What kind of thread are you using in the bobbin itself? I have had many
experienced quilters tell me to use SULKIN BOBBIN THREAD. When I
started using I can not tell you the difference it made! Everything
ran a lot smoother. No rat nests, less pulling on the fabric.

Lenora