Rita, That's super! Solving problems one variable at a time is a really cool way to go....then you know the next time. Pictures would be appreciated.

Yippee!!!

I had ordered some of Libby Lehman's Bottom Line thread from Superior before Christmas and it arrived today. Without adjusting anything else I filled a bobbin and tried the metallic thread again - It worked perfectly. I am just amazed by the difference something as simple as a bobbin thread can make! So what has worked for me is a Topstitch Titanium 100/16 needle, tension of 2.5, metallic thread on a cone threader and Bottom Line in the bobbin. And finally, to sew much more slowly. Thanks everybody for your help and advice and a Happy New Year to you all.

Thanks Teri, I finally got in touch with my dealer just before Christmas and he is sending me metallic needles that he found worked better on the machine and also some metallic thread that he thinks might work. But really, he was not that hopeful. I have ordered some Superior Metallic thread to try and some topstitch metallic needles to see if they make the difference. Did I mention that the thread that I had used was a new brand called Wonderfil thread which claims to be the greatest thing here in Europe. It seems to be processed the same way as Superior so it will be interesting to compare. I also tried Madeira metallic and that had the same problems. I just can't believe how well it works on one machine and how badly it works on the other. Oh well, too busy to quilt for a few days anyway. But enjoying the family stuff. Rita.

You mentioned that you reduced the tension on top to 1.5, I'd suggest going lower than that somewhere between 0 & 1, no higher than 1.
Reduce the machine speed.
A 90/14 top stitch needle should work just fine.
Note: there may be a burr in the stitch plate that you can't feel.
The quilt is beautiful.

Teri

I also use the bottom line, and recently used the Titanium needle that Superior sells. I seams to handle the heat and lasts longer.

Very pretty Rita! So glad your back up machine came to the rescue!

It surely could be the newer machine has got a 'hiccup' and you may need to demo it's bad behavior in front of your repair man. Hopefully, he can tweak it and you will be up and running with metallics on that machine too!

Merry Christmas to you!

Thanks Nancy, and Happy Christmas.

It was a lot of work, but it certainly looks worth it! I think your quilt is beautiful!

Nancy

Thanks Renata. There could be a slight burr bit I can't see it if there is. I am waiting to hear from my sewing machine man who wasn't in today. I don't know if I will get him before Christmas, but will try again tomorrow. I think it is being caused by the take-up lever which keeps dropping the thread. I have tried tightening the tension but that makes the thread shred in the needle, I have tried loosening the tension but that makes it worse. It has done my head in!

Your Christmas project is adorable--so glad you posted it, Rita. I was just wondering, since you tried everything that could be tried to make the metallic thread work, is there a possibility you might have a small burr on the bobbin case or under the throat plate and since metallic is more susceptible to shredding than other threads, could it be getting caught in a small burr that is not affecting the other threads you use? Wishing you and all a happy holiday season! Renata

Yes I put the thread on a spool stand and slowed down my stitching and decreased my tension and used an embroidery needle(don't have a metallic one, can't get one before Christmas). It worked fine on my back-up machine but the newer one just won't do it. Thanks for all the advice everybody. Everything that you all suggested helped. I did get my project finished thanks to my back-up machine. Happy Christmas everyone! Rita.

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It looks wonky because it is hanging from a skirt hanger. I tried to get a close up of the quilting but my hands shake too much!

I was told in a class that the thread should be on a thread stand placed a little away from the machine. The theory is because it is metallic it needs more length to straighten out as it comes off the spool in order to go through the machine smoothly. I have not used it a lot, but for one of my projects I used it in the embroidery and it worked fine. If I remember correctly I also slowed down the machine speed. I had no breakage.

I was taught many years ago to miss the final thread guide before the needle. I found that it made a huge difference.