Sewing Machine Problem

E-Wan

Sr Member
I'm having a frustrating problem with my sewing machine. I can't stop the upper thread from breaking.

I've tried changing needles, changing the thread tension, stitching slowly, but it keeps breaking. I'm using good quality thread, so it shouldn't be breaking.

Any ideas?
 
Sometimes it's the simplest things, such as it is improperly threaded, or the bobbin is in incorrectly, or perhaps to adjust the tension on the bobbin. I had this problem once and the reason for it was that the thread spool was at a wrong angle in the holder so it didn't feed smoothly when running.

However it's it not the easy things, it may need maintenance, and that isn't fun.
 
You said you changed the needle, but is the needle big enough, or for that matter too big for the tread. Is it the correct point type?

Just a couple of more items to consider.

-Adam
 
Couple things:

Pull the bottom bobbin all the way out AND it's carriage. Clean both, use a little wd40.

Then put in a brand new needle and thread up the machine and watch what happens. Sounds like something is unseated (easy) or the timing may be off (professional fix).

Timing problems happen, and local sewing machine shops ought to be able to fix this.

Good luck!

You said you changed the needle, but is the needle big enough, or for that matter too big for the tread. Is it the correct point type?

Just a couple of more items to consider.

-Adam
 
A sewing machine that won't work properly is one of the most infuriating things and I personally hate it. A common reason for me is not having threaded the top thread properly; this causes thread to snag or catch somewhere and break. Thread the machine like you would and walk it through with the handwheel to see if it is sticking somewhere. Could even be something like you need to thread through the other side of the needle or such.

Other thing might be the bobbin thread isn't in correctly so when the top thread loops around it, it gets stuck and breaks.

Hope you find a fix.
 
What thread are you using and in what fabric? Some fabrics will shred even good thread (stretch crushed panne velvet for instance...) and some good quality threads aren't quite so good in certain colours (the dye seems to degrade the fibres over time*).

Also what kind of needle? I've occasionally gone through a pack of needles to find one that didn't shed my thread. Just pure bad luck to get all th ebad ones in a batch.

But yeah, more details so that a diagnosis can be made. :)
 
Here's another possible problem to look into: check the metal plate under the pressure foot. The hole where the needle goes through sometimes can develop burs around it due to the occasional needle hitting it and breaking (this typically happens to everyone, especially costumers). These burs can be sharp and your thread can catch on them and repeatedly break. I've actually had this happen several times on our machines and I have to remove the plate and file the burs off. I have a tiny grinding bit for my Dremel tool and I work that around & through the opening to smooth it.

-Dale.
 
To further MDB's suggestion... What kind of fabric are you sewing? If you're using an improper needle, this could cause the thread to break. Some fabrics require special needles to sew through.

Outside of that... I vouch for the misthreading as the most common mistake. Double check your manual. Make sure you are threading the machine correctly and have the tension set at the default (if you don't have a manual, you can likely find it online. Yay internets!). Also, removing the bobbin, bobbin casing, and carriage and putting them back can sometimes rest anything that has gone awry down below. While you're doing this, you can do a good cleaning too if your machine isn't brand new (they should be cleaned and oiled at least once a year).
 
Wow, thanks for the great response everyone! I've tried re-threading and I've tried a variety of fresh needles, so I'm going to try giving it a clean up with WD 40 and see if that helps.

I'm using green Coats and Clark thread to modify a set of overalls - but this has happened with every thread I've tried and different fabrics too.

It's an older (80s/90s) Singer so I think it might be time for a service.
 
What is the thread made of? Cotton or polyester? Cotton can break easier then polyester can. If the thread you are using is cotton or a cotton/poly blend, I suggest trying a 100% polyester thread and see if that breaks. On my machine, a Bernina Activa, cotton thread breaks much easier then 100% polyester thread does.

If it's been more then a couple of years since your machine has been serviced and you use your machine fairly often, a trip to the service shop is never a bad idea regardless.
 
Sounds like a tension problem if thread breaks. However, check to see if something around the needle is rough to the touch, sometimes there will be a gouge or scratch within some plastic housing piece that will schred the thread. I'm still betting on tension setting if you've already cleaned the bobbin holder though.

Dave
 
Thanks for all the excellent advice guys. Just dropped my sewing machine off for it's first ever service!
 
Let us know what the problem was ;) It always adds to the pool of knowledge ;) I noticed my machine made my fabric catch and bunch under the foot. Turns out I had the wrong foot on it. Half a milimeter differnce in height and it made the fabric get pushed under the back of the plate.

BTW back in the day I had my machine "serviced" when all it needed was a good oil. Cost me $65 for the pleasure so be mindful of sewing machine mechanics ;) I now know how to oil that machine and keep it cared for (it's a late 1950s/early 60s Husqvarna- it goes through mulitple layers of leather with ease).

And I now need my newer (1980s) machine looked at as it wants to run backwards.. I have to lift and hold the reverse lever to keep it working. Poor thing.

And a new needle bolt for my itty bitty Elna lotus.

And I also have an industrial overlocker I need to replace a needle on.


Yeah, I may have a small collection of sewing machines. I want a 19thC toy machine though. I want a good quality chain stitcher for embroidery :)
 
Unfortunately, the 80s and 90s were a bad couple decades for domestic Singer machines. After they went plastic, they just went downhill. I made the mistake of junking my mom's old 70s, all metal Kenmore because I knocked it over and the little arm broke off ($300.00 to fabricate a new one as this was pre-easytofindanythingontheweb). Purchased a new plastic Kenmore from Sears that lasted me about a year, then inherited my mom's newer, early 90s Singer when she got sick of it and went Bernina. There was actually a time when I would put the Singer in the shop, sew on the Kenmore til it broke, then traded them out in the shop for service. I eventually broke down and went to the Bernina store. Never had a sewing machine problem since.
 
Got my machine back from the store and there were a couple of things wrong with it.

The oil used by Singer when it was first made had hardened to the consistancy of chewing gum and needed to be cleaned out and replaced, and the needle holder was off target slightly which was causing problems. Then it was given an all-over tweaking to restore everything to factory newness.

I'll be testing it out this weekend as I have a lot to do before Comic Con!
 
No wonder you were breaking thread. Wow! This should be a reminder to us all to clean and oil our machines at least once a year.
 
What other forum can you go to with a bunch of heterosexual men who build blasters and heavy electronics that seem to know as much about their own sewing machines? :lol:lol:lol
 
Yes but a sewing machine is a power tool. With variable speed even.

Have I mentioned my industrial overlocker has an oil gauge? It holds about 500ml of oil.
 
Sewed up a storm this weekend, my machine now runs like a dream.

If you haven't had your sewing machine serviced in a while, go get it done - you won't regret it!
 
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