Tuesday Tip - My Thread Keeps Breaking!
Posted by Annette on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
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Many years ago I worked for a fabric store that sold sewing machines and our most common complaint was: "My thread keeps breaking!" I learned to ask a few basic questions and found that the machine was rarely the actual problem. Since I know how frustrating this can be, I thought I would share a few hints with you today! When your thread breaks, ask these questions: 1. Is my machine threaded correctly? If it's a new machine, get your manual out and go over the threading diagrams again. Even if it's your 'old faithful' and you've threaded it thousands of times, re-threading can work wonders! 2. When and where did you buy that thread? If you're picking up thread at garage sales and thrift stores or your neighbor gave you some thread that her Mom used to use, take my sincere advice - throw it out immediately! Old thread deteriorates, frays, breaks and will cost you your sanity. New thread is a GREAT bargain! We carry several brands of excellent quality thread at all our stores. 3. Is your needle the correct size for the fabric you're sewing or is it the one you put in last year and it just hasn't broken yet? (That's another whole blog post - maybe next week. lol) Take the needle out and put it back in carefully - it may have been just a little off center or not in all the way when you inserted it. Try a new needle of the correct size even if you just put one in. Once in a while, you'll find a needle that has a burr on it or the eye is not quite right. If the new needle works - throw out the old one. 4. If all of these fail, there may be an adjustment that needs to be made to your machine. Check the top tension to make sure it has not inadvertently been changed. Again - your manual is your best friend and after that your sewing machine dealer is your sweet guardian angel! Also check for rough spots on your throat plate or your thread guides and then consult your dealer for help. Hope that helps! I wish you a summer full of smoothly flowing thread and happy, peaceful, sane sewing. ~ Annette P.S. It occurs to me that some of you may not have a dealer you work with nearby or your machine may have come from a discount store and not from a dealer. If that is the case, try our friends at Quality Sewing for repairs. They'd be glad to help! |
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