I'm pretty sure the needle's getting in, but definitely not picking up the bobbin thread, sometimes I've even had trouble bringing the bobbin thread up just to get started...

Florence,
Take a look at the skipped stitches-are there needle holes and the thread didn't catch or are there long stitches with no needle holes in between. Long stitches can be the BSR.
Also, try using the same thread top and bottom. There may be too many layers for the top thread to grab the much thinner Bottom Line.
eileenkny

I think Libby mentioned on the show featuring herself that she lowers the bsr tension to 1.5 I don't remember why she does this, however, we can still go back and see the show. Cool, huh!

Happier quilting!
Teri

Thanks Teri! I won't be able to give this a try until tonight but it sounds promising! Tension has been something I've always had trouble with!

and Judy, ya' know, there's a fine line between bravery and foolishness... I never should have tackled such a unique method without making a smaller sample first. I think I've learned THAT lesson, so now if I can learn the tension stuff I'll be good to go!
Florence

Teri, I'm paying attention, too--sorry you're having so much trouble, Florence. I'm REALLY new to machine quilting. I was told in Bernina class that the presser foot should be set to "2" when using the BSR. When I do this, the screen will show "2" and then go back to showing 42. Is it supposed to do this? Florence, I really admire you tackling a large quilt--I'm still practicing on scrap fabric!

drop the top tension to at least a 2 if not lower. As you're moving the quilt under the needle there are 3 tensions
1) top tension (way too high here);
2) bobbin tension (it's alright to play with this just mark where "normal" is with a sharpie, however given that you're using bottom line I'd leave it and
3) the tension of the quilt being moved under the needle. When you loosen the top tension this will allow for freer movement under the needle and bring #1 and #3 tensions into a better balance. You should also find that there won't be anymore eyelashes over the surface of the quilt.

Also use at least a 90/14 metallic or top stitch needle. These are sharper and have a larger eye to accommodate the thread and guide it through the stitching process.

Happy Quilting!
Teri

my frustration level is just about peaked...
I'm machine-quilting a machine-pieced cathedral windows quilt... thus, I'm going thru 7 layers of fabric plus batting, except where I might be hitting seams which only makes it thicker...
and it's just not working!!!
I'm using Bottom Line in the bobbin, and started out with that in the top as well. Before quilting, I had to tack the corners of the 'windows' and everything was fine UNTIL I was almost finished wiht that. At the VERY end, the top thread began to fray somewhere between the take-up lever and the needle. (I've changed the needle a bunch along the way) Baby was due for 1st annual service (440 QE) and the tech did find a thread wrapped stuck between the tension disks, got it out (and gave it back to me!)
Everything else was fine. Started back on this quilt. Same problem. try a few different needles. All sharps/topstitch/quilting, but various sizes.
ok, giving up on Bottom Line on top, tried a regular Mettler cotton. Not fraying, but now, I've got tons of skipped stitches(every 2-3 inches, at least one 1/2-inch skipped, plus lots of individual stitches(using BSR)
again, tried different needles. no luck
tried a Gutterman rayon thread. Same skipped stitches.
i have the tension set at 5 (middle) and presser foot at 42 (default?) and admittedly don't know a lot about thread, tension, etc.

Any suggestions : : oh, did I mention this is a graduation quilt due in about a month? not looking promising on making that deadline!
any ideas appreciated.
Florence