This article covers basic stitching techniques including starting and stopping stitching, bringing up the bobbin thread, and securing stitches.
Bringing Up the Bobbin Thread
To prevent the bobbin thread from forming “rats nest” each time the stitching starts, you should bring the bobbin thread up to the top and secure it in place. Two ways to bring up the bobbin thread are described here.
At the Start of Stitching
At the beginning of the stitching both threads are loose and this is a quick way to use the top thread to bring up the bobbin thread.
While holding the top thread take a single stitch where you want the stitching to start.
Continue to hold the top thread and move the machine several inches away then pull the top thread up which will pull the bobbin thread to the top.
Move the machine back to the start position.
Grasp both threads and hold them to the side while making 4 or 5 securing stitches.
Hint: Move the threads slightly when making the securing stitches to ensure you don’t stitch in the same location.
At the End of Stitching
When you reach the end of stitching and after the stitching is secured by taking several locking stitches, use this method to bring up the bobbin thread to cut it.
Move the sewing head several inches away from the stitching.
Grasp and hold the top thread then move the sewing head back to the last stitch. It isn’t necessary to go back to the precise location of the last stitch but the closer you get, the smaller the thread tail will be after it is cut.
While still holding the top thread, take a single stitch then move the sewing head several inches away.
As you pull on the top thread the bobbin thread is pulled up as well. Cut both the top and bobbin threads at the surface of the quilt. You will be cutting three threads - the top thread and the bobbin thread loop, As you move the machine head away, you will have two threads in your hand and one that stays with the machine as the new bobbin tail.
Securing Stitches
To prevent threads from unraveling, you need to make locking stitches at the beginning and end of each segment of stitching. You can do this by backstitching or by taking tiny stitches. Look for places to hide the locking stitches in places such as the binding seam allowance, busy fabric, or seam lines.
To backstitch at the start of sewing, start approximately ¼” inside the stitching line. Backstitch to the beginning and then proceed with the stitching. With this method, you are taking three or four stitches on top of three or four other stitches to secure the threads. At the end of stitching, simply backstitch for three or four stitches.
To lock the stitches with tiny stitches, simply move the machine a little slower to produce very tiny stitches that are not easily removed. Locking stitches in this way is not possible when using stitch regulation since all the stitches are the same length. You can either turn off the stitch regulation or use the needle up/down or single stitch feature.
Note: It is extremely important that stitching be secured at both the beginning and end of each sewing segment. Monofilament thread requires more securing stitches than cotton or polyester threads. Unsecured stitching will unravel.
Ripping Out Stitches
One of the most frustrating, time-consuming things to do in long-arm quilting is to rip out stitches. Stitching that takes only seconds to put in can take hours to rip out. Choose a ripping tool that is small and sharp. You want to be able to lift and cut one stitch at a time while being careful not to rip the fabric.
Start at one end of the quilting stitches to be removed, and clip every third or fourth stitch on the top of the quilt. If you are systematic and do this for the entire line of stitches, you will save time in the long run. After you have clipped every third or fourth stitch from the top, reach under the quilt and pull the bobbin thread to release all the stitches.