Sweet 16 Problem

I'm having problems on my Sweet 16 quilter. I'm using Superior's Bottom Line thread both top and bobbin, and I am often getting shredded thread. Well, not exactly shredded, but separated. It is a two-ply thread, and it separates into its plies, and then one ply sorta disintegrates. I have been in contact with Superior, they have, so far, suggested I back off on the tension. I've tried that , and am now only going thru one of the pre-tension loops (instead of three). Tried two first. Now the thread pops out of the first two loops above the thread cone. Still separates, but not as often. It also happened with another brand of thread on this machine.

Maybe tomorrow I should call Handi Quilter.

Very frustrating especially since I want to get a lot of stuff done!

I've had it a little over a year, and really love using it. But his problem is getting me down. The thread has been shredding like this for a long time isn't something new. I just decided to get to the bottom of it.

Thanks,
Lin

DUMB!!!

Boy, did I do a dumb! My Handi Quilter Sweet 16 sit-down long arm. I couldn't put the bobbin in. I tried and tried. I just didn't seem to fit! What happened???? I had just bought pre-wound Glide bobbins and I was so anxious to use them. I finally determined I must have bought the wrong kind. So I wound my own bobbin. IT wouldn't go in either! Now what??

The needle was in the down position. Ugh! Boy, do I feel dumb! Glad I didn't call the manufacturer.

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I seem to be out of my deep blue funk now. I just offered to look funk up in the Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary. (anyone else remember that from Rowan and Martin's Laugh In? Showing my age.)

I've been golfing a good bit. Actually, I haven't been golfing good yet. I still stink. But it is good to be outside like that. The ladies I've been golfing with a a fun group. Making some good friends, I think. In fact 4 of us have decided to play in the Rally for the Cure outing in two weeks. For sure, the four of us will have fun. We are all beginners, so it doesn't matter.

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I have started on what I think is my most ambitious quilting project yet. I did two blocks from Celtic Solstice. I borrowed heavily from Sew Pretty Quilts for my quilting ideas. I hope she doesn't mind.
Here's my plan, on page protectors, with a water erasable pen:

And here's the first two blocks:

I may add more intense quilting later. We'll see.
I was using a Line Tamer ruler for the straight lines, but decided I can make them easier without the ruler. The Line Tamer is new. It comes with a plastic protector attached. Really time consuming to get the white plastic coating off.

Thanks,
Lin

Lights Out

Our power was out for a few days. We had to play Pioneer Days, Little House on the Prairie maybe. We had the candles, kerosene lamps, flashlights. Could only work in the daytime. Once it got dark, we jsut sat and read by the flashlights, or I have a light on my Kindle. I'm sure they didn't have Kindles back then.

I really wanted to sew, but couldn't. I got a few things cut, but couldn't do anything with them. So frustrating.

But the power is BACK!!! Came back this morning at 4 AM. Lights go on, the water pump trying to catch up. Nice way to be awakened--to Power!

We've had some days in the 60s with lovely sun. Not today tho. Back to the 40s, and we had this stuff:

Can you see that is snow!!!!!??? This is mid-April. We're not supposed to have snow.

But, on the brighter side...see all my daffodils poking thru the dirt? I love daffs. That area will be just ablaze with daffs soon.

I've started working on my purple triangles for the Triangle Quilt Along today when I could use the sewing machine again. Got the triangles together. I was quite surprised how much it shrunk when sewn together.
There are 12 seams, so that means I lost 6". I understand it logically, but it was different to see it.

I have the pieces together now. Next is to put the rows together. I figure it'll end up being about 36" x 36". A table topper I think.

In this picture, you can see the colors better, and the prints.

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You all know I have the HandiQuilter Sweet 16 sit-down long-arm quilter, right? Well, last week I watched the videos by Debby Brown about using the Sweet 16. Very good videos, I recommend them highly.

Thanks,
Lin