handi quilter HQ Sweet Sixteen QM30270, User Manual

 Page 14

HQ Sweet Sixteen User Manual

Drawing the Bobbin Thread to the Top of 

the Quilt

1.   After threading the machine, plug it in and turn on the 

power.  Place quilt sandwich under hopping foot.

2.  While firmly holding the tail of the needle thread with 

the left hand, choose one of the following methods to 

cycle the needle through one full rotation to bring the 

bobbin thread to the top of the quilt. 

   A.   Foot Pedal Method.  LIGHTLY tap the foot pedal to 

make the needle go down. Then LIGHTLY tap again to 

bring the needle up. 

   B.   Needle Up/Down Button Half-Stitch.  Find the Needle 

Up/Down Button in the center of the color touch-

screen main display.  Press once to cycle the needle 

down. Press again to cycle the needle back up. 

   C.  Needle Up/Down Button, Full-Stitch.  Find the Needle 

Up/Down Button in the center of the color touch-

screen main display. Press and hold briefly to cycle the 

needle through one complete stitch cycle (down and 

back up). 

3.  Pull the fabric 3-4 inches away while holding the needle 

thread. 

4.  Bobbin thread will pull up and through to the top, 

allowing you to grasp the loop and pull it to the desired 

length.

Figure 17

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Top thread tension should be adjusted 

only after the bobbin case foundation tension adjustment 

is made. 

Puckering, gathers and thread breakage occur when the 

top tension is too tight. Loops and thread nests occur on 

the back when the top thread tension is too loose.  (See 

Figure 18 on next page.) Tension may need to be adjusted, 

depending on the fabric, thread or batting used in each 

project. 

Unlike the bobbin case adjustment, which requires minute 

adjustments (like the tick of a clock), the top tension knob 

may require turns anywhere from 1/4 of a turn to 2-4 turns 

to achieve balanced tension.

Tighten Top Thread Tension

To adjust the top tension tighter, turn the top thread 

tension knob (page 5, Figure 1, #5) clockwise. 

Top Thread Tension Adjustment

Checking and Adjusting Bobbin Case Tension

The bobbin case tension is the foundation tension for the 

entire machine. To test that bobbin tension is correct, hold 

the bobbin case in the palm of your hand with the open 

end facing up. Wrap the thread around your index finger 

and lift the bobbin case from your hand. While gently 

moving the finger front to back (not up and down, which is 

not consistent), the bobbin case should slide slowly down 

the thread, like a spider on its web.

The small screw in the center of the tension spring is 

where the adjustment is made (see Figure 17).  Turn 

clockwise to tighten and counter-clockwise to loosen the 

bobbin case tension.  Make very small adjustments.  Check 

the bobbin tension every time a new bobbin is inserted.

Tighten Bobbin Case Tension

The bobbin case tension is TOO LOOSE if it will not lift up 

onto its side. Turn screw clockwise to tighten. The bobbin 

case screw requires very small adjustments. Think of the 

“tick of a clock”. Adjust, then check. Adjust and check 

again.

Loosen Bobbin Case Tension

The bobbin case tension is TOO TIGHT  if it lifts out of your 

hand.  Turn screw counter-clockwise to loosen. The bobbin 

case screw requires very small adjustments. Think of the 

“tick of a clock”. Adjust, then check. Adjust and check 

again.