Delightful Quilting & Sewing

08/24/2026

GLIDE THREAD SHREDDING ISSUES
There has been several recent posts about Glide thread shredding, poor tension problems, etc. All of them have been because of the thread net catching the thread preventing it from flowing off the cone smoothly.
I had an issue a couple of years ago with inconsistent tension that I finally discovered was from a small tear in the thread net catching the thread as it was pulling past the tear. I took quite awhile to find that issue!
Am I changing my recommendation on using thread nets? Not necessarily, but in the photo you can see I am not using one with this cone of Glide. The problem with Glide and other trilobal poly threads is that when there is no tension on the thread, it puddles as you can see in the top photo (puddling from the shepherds hook to the cone). My solution to keep an even tension on the thread is to make sure the batting in the shepherds hook is pushed securely onto the thread. Thread forward from the hook to the front of the machine has consistent tension feeding smoothly through the machine and stitching perfectly.
If you do use a thread net, it is important to push the thread net down so that the top of it rests at the point on the cone where the thread angles up. Any position above that results in the thread being caught in the top of the thread net. And, if you run into any inconsistent tension issues or shredding - ditch the net, but initiate a method to keep consistent tension on the thread. Without this consistent tension, you WILL still have inconsistent tension on the quilt.

08/21/2026

SELECTED FOR THE "STITCHED STATES: 250 YEARS - A QUILTED MAP" EXHIBIT AT HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL
I'm very excited that my "I Love New York Agriculture" quilt was selected to be a part of this exhibit and will be on display this fall at the show. I made this quilt in 2014 for a NY Consortium challenge that year. It features focus fabrics of the many vegetable and agricultural products from New York, everything from cows and milk, to potatoes, carrots, wheat, Christmas trees, onions, and grapes, and more. This exhibit didn't have a date restriction. It was quilted hand guided and with rulers, before I had automation.
If you make it to the Houston show, take a photo of it and of the exhibit and please share with me.

08/21/2026

UNDER THE NEEDLE THIS WEEK
Working on this charming applique quilt this week. Lots of outlining around the applique. The client loves feathers, too. Sometimes it is waiting for the right inspiration. She doesn't like a lot of fill, but I need to fill in around the border applique. Any suggestions?

07/26/2026

07/22/2026

From the pow wow meeting to getting everything set up for classes to Ron ready to give factory tours to the snacks and ice cream bar, we are ready at Nolting for the Stitch and Save Days, free classes and paid classes. It starts tomorrow, July 22-25. Room in a few classes yet, lots to learn, and super savings on everything. Come on over!!

07/13/2026

MONDAY TIP - PROBLEM THREAD NET
A couple of weeks ago I did a service call for an intermittent top thread issue, inconsistent tension. Perfect, perfect, flat line on the top. After checking all the usual things, burrs, nick in the throat plate, bobbin case, thread path, the thread, tension assembly, and even the timing, and finding really nothing it was a mystery. We even talked about the humid weather, but there was a dehumidifier running keeping the humidity well under control. Finally I noticed that the top of the thread net was coned about 2-3 inches above the top of the cone. Watching the thread come out of the space there were intermittent catches, just enough to pull the top thread temporarily causing the flat line stitching. I replaced the thread net so the top of it was about even with the bottom of the tapered area on the cone leaving the tapered area open. This seemed to do the trick and the tension because even.
Thread nets are perfect, but only need to be used on trilobal poly thread, such as Glide, to keep the thread from puddling when the machine stops stitching.
That same week one of the Nolting Ambassadors called me with a similar issue. Hers, as well, was happening because of the thread net intermittently restricting the even flow of the thread.
This video is my experience a couple of years ago.

??? I was mystified by the intermittent top thread breaking. The ...

07/09/2026

LOOK AT THIS TRAINING ROOM!! LONGARM HANDS-ON CLASSES AT NOLTING.
One class that looks like so much fun, I wish I wasn't teaching or I would sign up. The Ladybug Collage taught by Kayla Nau is a longarm class. Check this one out. July 23 (morning).
https://nolting.com/pages/open-house-july-2026

07/08/2026

STITCH AND SAVE DAYS CLASSES AT NOLTING
I am really excited to be teaching several free seminars and three paid classes July 22-25 in Hiawatha, IA. It is always a lot of fun, energizing and inspirational for attendees. What is wonderful is that Nolting's new facility has great training rooms. This photo is of the automation classroom. There is another room even larger with four longarm systems each with two machines for hands-on at the frame classes.
Are you looking for beginner or inspirational classes? Check out the class offerings and join us for a few days. Besides classes, sales and specials on everything.
https://nolting.com/pages/open-house-july-2026