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Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: Feb. 18, 2009, 12:36 PM
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| I am having a problem with my top tension and thread breakage. I have posted to the HQ16 Yahoo group and haven't been able to figure it out so you are my next attempt. ("Help me ObiWan, you're my only hope!") The problem started with bobbin thread breakage, I determined that my bobbin tension was waaaay too tight after watching the video about that. I also think I have a burr or something on that bobbin case so switched to a brand new one. I have tried my own bobbins as well as prewounds. Now it is the top thread I have problems with. I have rechecked the threading sequence repeatedly and it seems correct. I have changed needles, spools and brands of thread (it was worse with Sulky Blendables than Aurifil, but it's still a problem). I will start quilting and within a very small period of time the thread mast will be pulled from it's proper position perpendicular to the machine to a position almost parallel to the machine, towards the front (bobbin) end. Soon after, the thread will break. I changed from using all 3 of the holes in the pretensioner to only using 2 and that might have helped a little, but not much. I can't go more than 6-8 square inches of quilting before the thread breaks. It doesn't matter if I am doing tiny stipples or big loopy meanders. The stitches look good top and bottom. I am at my wit's end! I took pictures yesterday and posted them on my Flickr page, http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiehartsell so you can see what I'm talking about. I would really appreciate any help you can give me! I do not have a dealer locally, I bought mine from Wooden Spools in Yreka which is several hours away from me. Thanks so much! |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: Feb. 18, 2009, 1:04 PM
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Now that you have your bobbin tension set correctly, you will probably need to loosen your top tension also. The other thing you need to check is make sure that your thread is not wrapping around anything. Also make sure that your thread is not puddling around the bottom of the spool. If it is puddling then put a thread net around your spool.
Good Luck. Cheryl Duncan Handi Quilter Studio Educator |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: Feb. 18, 2009, 7:44 PM
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| The thread is not wrapping around anything and it is not puddling. From all appearances everything is correct, yet the problem persists. Something is pulling the thread mast forward, and I just can't tell what it is! The problem does not happen suddenly like it would if the thread just got caught somewhere, but over a period of a few minutes. I cannot quilt more than about 8 sq inchess without the thread breaking. It doesn't matter if I do tiny microstippling or large meandering (but I can cover more area with the large meander before it breaks!), and it doesn't seem to matter what brand of thread I use. I am really at a loss. |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: Feb. 23, 2009, 4:36 PM
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| If the problem still exist.....try turning your needle slightly to the right. |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: Feb. 23, 2009, 4:42 PM
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As suddenly as the problem appeared, it disappeared! I rethreaded countless times, cleaned the bobbin area over and over again, replaced the needle, replaced the bobbin case, finally played with the tension assembly one more time loosening it till the tension discs were not touching, then tightening it down to where it stopped. Then I backed it off 6 whole turns of the tension dial to reset it to factory tension. Suddenly it is perfectly happy with me and sews like a dream! I don't know what went wrong and I don't know what fixed it, but fixed it is and I am a happy woman.
Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and encouragement! Katie |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: April 14, 2009, 8:12 AM
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| I have been having problems like this since Christmas! Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I can get about 12 inches across before having an issue. I am hoping mine will suddenly start working too. Otherwise, I will have to drive it about 2-3 hours away to my dealer. Part of the problem is that I only have a certain amount of time to quilt so I have been putting off working on it since I know it'll take some time to figure out the issue. I am so glad yours is working now! |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: April 14, 2009, 2:44 PM
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Lots of things to consider here but I will give you some basics to look at first.
1. Have you changed the needle? Are you using the correct size of needle? If you have changed the needle are you sure you have it in correctly? The long groove goes to the front, the opposite of DSM. Make sure you have the needle fully up into the needle holder and you have it good and snug. 2. Check your bobbin area and case. Make sure it is free of lint. On the bobbin case, make sure you to not have lint under the tension spring. Also, the bobbin should unwind CLOCKWISE. There is a video under EDUCATION regarding bobbin tension. 3. Depending on what thread you are using, you may need to skip a hole on the pretensioner. Check the needle tension. When pulling the needle thread it should be a firm, not hard, pull. Do this with the needle in the UP position. 4. After checking the bobbin case and tension, I would let my needle tension dial all the way out. Load a practice piece or work on the side of the quilt that you will be trimming away. I would sew about 2 inches, check the stitches and tighten 1/2 turn until you get a good stitch. 5. When was the last time you oiled and cleaned your machine? When you have the bobbin case out, put a VERY SMALL DROP of oil on our finger tip and rub it on the outside of your bobbin case. Sometimes a dry case can cause thread breakage. These are just the basics, IMHO, because there are a lot of things to consider, fabric, batting, needle size, what thread in needle and bobbin, is the quilt stretched too tight or too loose, backing fabric, stitch regulated or not, is your mouth held right, what way is the wind blowing, did a bird fly overhead....ok I know I'm getting silly but trust me you WILL have days like that. Believe it or not, one day I had a turkey just outside my sewing room window, and every time it would gobble my thread would break. Turkey left and thread didn't break anymore. Don't ask me what went wrong at that particular time in the universe cuz I don't know! Please check these basic things. Keep us posted on what happens, inquiring minds NEED to know. |
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Re: Thread breaking, tension issues
Posted: April 15, 2009, 3:20 PM
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Re-check your tension starting with the bobbin case. Make sure there is no lint build up. Once you have the bobbin set correctly move to the top tension disks. Begin by loosening your tension disks 5-6 times. Then begin tightening them back up until you get the tension you like. You can have balanced tension and still have both the bobbin and the top tension set to tight. Try to loosen both up and see if that helps.
Good luck, Cheryl Duncan Handi Quilter Studio Educator " I have been having problems like this since Christmas! Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I can get about 12 inches across before having an issue. I am hoping mine will suddenly start working too. Otherwise, I will have to drive it about 2-3 hours away to my dealer. Part of the problem is that I only have a certain amount of time to quilt so I have been putting off working on it since I know it'll take some time to figure out the issue. I am so glad yours is working now!" |
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