The TOWA gauge is a great tool for understanding and adjusting bobbin tension.

The "drop method" works well if you are always starting with a full bobbin, because it depends on the weight of the bobbin to judge the tension. If you are working with a partially filled bobbin, that method is not dependable.

It's a good idea to check your tension with every bobbin change....but ESPECIALLY important if you change the kind of thread you are using in the bobbin. Obviously different weights of thread may require adjusting the bobbin tension, but less obvious things like the COLOR of the thread may also require some adjustments. :shock:

It's not something to be afraid of....but it will definitely make your stitches better if you understand bobbin and top tension.

BonnieB2 wrote: Bonnie, you will still need to calibrate your bobbin tension with pre-wound bobbins, the first step every time you change thread type, and sometimes thread color. My TOWA guage got me over the hump of getting my tension right. I don't use it a lot because I got used to what the tension should feel like with a full bobbin of thread. I'm still glad I purchased it.

Darn, I ordered a TOWA. If I use Superior's pre-wounds, will it be of no use? I'm glad you mentioned it so I will understand.
Thanks again!
Bonnie

Bonnie, just peel them away from the thread core. The cardboard sides were meant to come off and the thread will not fall apart!

Just check your tension with the drop method as shown in Vicki's video, or with a TOWA gauge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZBNUKsCyxg&list=PLDEC89F1F5C79793A&index=2&feature=plpp_video

If you use a TOWA gauge, be aware that the prewound bobbins do NOT give a steady reading like the regular bobbins do.
Here is how the gauge works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBAhko66fFs

Very easy to remove. Your bobbin case adjustment may be slightly different.

Thank you thank you thank you. Good info.

Is it hard to remove the cardboard from the pre wounds? Do you just gently tear it off?

Bonnie

I remove both sides of pre-wounds because the tension is just too tight with them on. I have an HQ SS (am I repeating myself )

BonnieB2 wrote:
Bonnie, I have the older HQ16 which is basically the same machine head as the Sweet16, but mine rides on tracks. I use both the prewound bobbins as well as self wound bobbins and I also still use the older bobbin winder.
First of all....about the bobbin winder...I use an extension cord with an on/off/speed control to make it more safe and user friendly.



I can control the speed with this so I can easily wind light weight threads like MasterPiece and MonoPoly threads at a slower speed.

As for the pre-wounds. It was explained to me that the newer machines have a faster motor speed and sometimes it helps to leave one or both sides of the prewound bobbins on because the drag of the cardboard helps to adjust the speed of the bobbin. :

Our machines operate at a slower speed and it seems to help to remove BOTH of the cardboard sides of the prewound bobbins, which is what I usually do.
The advantage of the prewounds is that they have much more thread on them than we can get with our Rube Goldberg devices!

Thanks, Margo. I've watched most of those and was very happy they provided them. After I watched theirs, I went out looking for more, hence QNN, etc.

Question: I bought some SuperBob bobbins and noted that some people recommend removing the cardboard and others say it works fine with the cardboard left in place. Do you have any recommendations on that? I'm still using bobbins I wound myself, noting that many folks caution not to wind the bobbin thread too tight. I have the older bobbin winder... what a Rube Goldberg machine it is! I was shocked that it's design wasn't more elegant. I see it now is redesigned.

Bonnie

The HandiQuilter web site has lots of instructional videos including some specific to the Sweet Sixteen: http://www.handiquilter.com/videocatalog/

I especially like this one on Thread, Needles and Tension: http://www.handiquilter.com/videocatalog/

I just bought a store demo Sweet 16 and am busy learning more about tension, threads to use, etc. I intend to also put the SS on my Hinterberg stretch frame and use it as a stand up machine. I had purchased the Hinterberg frame a few years ago, intending to put my Janome 6600 on it, but lost interest in that when I realized I would have such a small quilting area that it was hardly worth it.

We have put the machine up on the frame and the only adjustment we have to make is to lengthen one iron bar that has the handles on it. Otherwise, it should work just as it would had I put the Janome 6600 on it. I have seen another person have success doing this. The Hinterberg folks don't see any issue with it. So, onward.

I would love to see this thread reactivated and hear from other SS owners. The more info the better. I rejoined QNNTV to take advantage of the videos. Lots of good sharing out there, thank goodness!

Bonnie

I don't know how many of you watch shows on qnntv, but there is a whole long arm series there, supported by HQ. I've learned a lot!
They recently ran a special on subscribing for $12 for the year. I don't know if it's still on or not.
Susan

Update on a happy camper...I've had my Sweet Sixteen for a week and am totally thrilled! I know at my age, I'll never be in a house that is big enough to house a frame, so this is just the best. I'm even looking at Modern Quilt Guild quilts that have lots of open space to just quilt.

Back to the machine

I really like my HQ Sweet 16, even though I've had some timing issues with it.

BUT, I'm trying to now put it on a frame, which requires something to replace the foot pedal. I called HQ to ask for their help, and the rep was not at all helpful. She refused to give me any information because of some BS about "assuming liability" for another company's frame. She did say HQ has their own stand-up upgrade for the SS, for $4000.

That would bring the total for a stand-up machine to over $8000, and for that price I could have bought a better system to being with. My point is, if you ever think you'll want to upgrade the sit-down SS to a stand-up system, I would think twice about this machine.