Scott Flanagan from 4th and Main Designs in Fremont, NE, presented a program on Thread, Needles, and Tension (TNT).

Scott began quilting at the age of seven under the tutelage of his grandmother and worked in a quilt store for 17 years until December 2023.

While Scott shared many tips and informative tidbits, here are a few key notes:

1.  Always make sure your machine is properly threaded.

2. The larger the number of the thread weight, the thinner the thread is, which is the opposite of needles.

3. When selecting needles, the larger the number, the larger the needle eye. Choose the right needle. If your needle isn't happy, your machine isn't happy.

4.  Avoid mixing the fiber content in the bobbin and the spool.

5. Tension should be perfectly balanced.  Be sure your bobbin is properly wound.  A mushy bobbin will always create tension issues.

6.  Troubleshooting:  First: change your thread. Second: change your needle. Third: Adjust your tension. Do these one at a time until you now where the problem is.