bobbi Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 This happens a lot! When I'm quilting, the thread loops way out before the "take up" bar pulls it up - then when I stop this happens. I have to go back and pull the thread straight again before I can start again.... I think this happens sometimes too as I'm quilting and the thread loops around the needle and breaks. Is this just a simple adjustment that I don't know about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Hmmm interesting! OK so I understand that it loops before the thread gets to the takeup lever? Have you tried using a thread net on your cone? Maybe add another pigtail guide between the take up and the rear to give it a little more smoothing. And speaking of pigtail guides, I am seeing yours above your needle and in the photo it looks a little rusty and worn? Am I seeing this? If so, Bobbi, you might want to replace all of your pigtail guides to nice new shiny ones. That might help, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Bobbi My first thought is that is the purpose of a check spring. When looking at your tension assembly the back part of the check spring (before it makes the loop) against the side plate should be in the 11 o'clock position. Make sure the tension assembly is not pushed in too far or the spring will bind on the cover. Our machines will operate with very light tension but there must be some for the check spring to function. Hope this helps. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted March 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 You weren't supposed to notice my icky pigtail Shana.... but you're right, I've just never gotten around to it. ( I knew I shoulda cropped that out!!! LOL) I have a piece of batting in the hook/guide above the thread that should keep the tension smooth to the front. Here's a pic of the way the thread loops, (I pulled it out for exhibit purposes) this is my take up lever at rest, is it in the wrong position? Should it finish higher? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted March 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 One more pic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Bobbi The take up lever stops at about the same place on the up stroke on our Millenium. You are right that there should not be all that slack between the tension and needle. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 If you need instructions on adjusting the position and tension of the take up spring just email me and I will send them to you. It's function is to remove the slack caused by the lever. After time the spring will not function correctly, the solution is a new spring. Do not replace the tension assembly @ $15, change the check spring @$2.50. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherryRogers Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Hi Bobbie Tension assemblys' are cheap, about 15 bucks I think but I would try tightening the check spring before you get a new one. See the slot on the end of the unit? Give it a turn and see if that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnnHoffman Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 What kind of thread are you using? It looks wirey. I would take off your pigtail and take off the rust with an emory cloth. Your thread could be catching on the roughness of the rust. You could also put those porcelain fishing pole guides in place of your pigtails. Those you can get at Cabela's or a sporting goods shop. Or you could order a couple of new pigtails. Are you using Singer 4.0 or 3.5 needles? I always ask myself, "When did it start doing this?" What did I do different or change on my machine when it started doing this? Work your way backwards when a problem occurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smorris Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Hi Bobette Did you try tightening the tension a bit? It looks like metallic which often needs to be run looser but it might just be too loose. Is the thread in between the tension disks properly and not just sitting around the outer edge. Sue in Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Bobbi, What you're experiencing can often happen due to the twist in the thread. As the thread passes through the three-hole thread guide just above the tension disk, we normally advise quilters to "wrap" the thread around the guide. The purpose of that wrapping action is actually to untwist the thread as it exits the spool. When the thread re-twists at the needle as it's doing for you, it's a sign that the wrap method is actually twisting the thread MORE. when tension is released at the needle, the thread recoils back on itself and twists together. This is especially true if the spool isn't "cross-wound" (the thread criss-crosses the spool) but is instead "stack wound" (the thread wraps around the spool in stacked circles, like Coats and Clark, some metallics, and some YLI, among others.) Those spools work best mounted horizontally, so that the spool spins and feeds the thread without creating additional twist. However, cross-wound spools can cause trouble if the thread is coming off the spool differently, and the wrapping action at the three-hole thread guide adds even more twist. Sometimes just turning the spool over solves the problem. If it doesn't, then try "weaving" the thread through the three-hole thread guide (up into the first hole, down into the second, up through the third) like you are running a basting stitch through the guide with the thread. This prevents the thread from twisting as it enters the tension disks. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaCollins Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Bobbi, Are you quilting a t-shirt quilt in the pic above? Or one that has used a fusible? Sometimes if there is a "rubber" design (some fabrics are not actually prints... but a "plastic-like adhesive design" that can be removed by scratching with your fingernail), or a fusible stabilizer, adhesive, etc.; this will cause your thread to grab and get stuck in the fabric- especially as the needle heats up during quilting... When the thread can't freely pass in and out of the fabric , it will also cause loops like this. I am just offerring another possible cause to consider in addition to Dawn's great advice..... Hope it helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted March 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Wow, thanks to all of you! I'll try the suggestions above... John, I'll email you later, Dawn, I'll check how my thread is going thru the 3 hole guide. What you said makes sense. And I will take care of my pigtales, I had already used an emery stick on them just not the outside. I am using Signature, and a Singer 4.0 needle... Tina it IS a t-shirt quilt, however I noticed this problem a while back. It just got REALLY irritating on this particular quilt. I'll let you know how it goes later today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted March 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Ok, so now I'm completely Jazzed!!!!! THANK YOU DAWN!!! I changed the way my thread went through the 3 hole guide, and voila! Problem solved.... the thread doesn't loop out as I'm sewing, nor does it kink up when I stop! How kool is that!? THANKS!!!! BTW, Tina, on this quilt, I am not quilting over the "plastic" letters as there are so many of them and there are many new shirts not washed several times so the plastic is stiffer. I'm quilting around them... when I'm done I'll post this in the Quilt pics thread... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Bobbi, We like JAZZED quilters! Glad you're up and running again with no tangled thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Great news! I am glad it all worked out. I learn so much on this chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.