BethDurand Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hi all, I've checked back posts, and I guess I'm mostly looking to vent at this point. I'm working with Rainbows on top and So Fine in the bottom. I've done all the usual things too. Re-threaded the entire machine, new larger needle, cleaned, loosened tension. However, the thread continues to break, and always at the needle. Just when I think I've got it, and start to relax, off it goes again. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Let me preface this with a disclaimer by saying I am still a newbie and learning the ins and outs of threads and tensions. So what I am about to say might not be correct, but it helped me with my tweakages... Hey Beth, now I was playing with Rainbows last weekend on my guild raffle quilt and I was having breaking problems, too. I was experimenting with the tension and discovered that it broke less (yes less) when it had a little tension on it from the tension disk. It seemed to break more when it had little or no tension from the disk. Does that make any logical sense? :oSounds weird, but it worked better. Anyway, what I did was only looped it through the last hole on the three thread hole path prior to the tension disk. You also might try dabbing a wee bit of sewer\'s aid on the spool. I had mine on the horizontal spool holder with the thread unwinding by going under the spool, not over (like a waterfall) You could try both ways to see what helps. Anyway, it\'s not a happy ending with the rainbows. I tried slowing down my speed, too. I used it for a while longer and it broke "less" on me but still continued to break. My thread is a few years old so it could be old? Anyway, I used it for a while and then said "OK... I have had enough of that STUFF!" (well, I said something else, but I won\'t post that specific word here...) You can figure it out. Anyway, sorry I can\'t be more help. I am sure there is a silver lining to the grey cloud that I just haven\'t found yet. Hope it works better for ya... Have a good weekend, friend. Shana PS: Any of your more seasoned "Rainbows" thread specialists: If you have some suggestions, I would LOVE to hear it! I am sure that I am not doing something right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanette Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Are you talking about the tri-lobal polyester Rainbows? If so I finally figured out using them with no problem - I use almost NO tension on them and it works for me. I used to stand and squall in frustration because I had so many pretty ones to use. Just keep playing with your tension and you will find your spot. Maybe more maybe less, everyone seems to be different. I also used 30 to 40wt cotton or poly in the bobbin, not BL or SF. Good Luck. Also slow down a little bit when using them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsbishwit Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 When I first got my machine I was able to use Rainbows thread with out any breakage. Then one day it just started breaking and I couldn\'t figure it out either. Within the last couple of months I decided to give it a try again...I loosened my top tension had rainbows in the top and in the bobbin case and was very surprised that I had NO BREAKS!!!! ok so what was I doing differently? Well it turned out that in the begining when I first got my machine I ran the rainbows for the top thread as well as the bobbin thread and when I was having all of the trouble with breaks it was when I was using rainbows in the top and the bottom line or so fine in the bobbin. So now I just use the same rainbows thread for the top and the bobbin thread and son\'t have anymore problems with it. Also you can always try the lava thread that superior offers now it is suppose to better than rainbows as far as breakage goes. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramona-quilter Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hi Beth, I remember Grammie Tammie posting a solution for Rainbos thread breakage. It did the trick for me. She turns her needle so the eye faces 6:35; it is not a big adjustment. I think she put a flowerhead pin in the eye of the needle, loosened the screw and gave it a tiny turn to the left (6:35) and retightened the screw. She also recommended loosening the tension. It worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted January 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 You gals are the best! I had an "ahah" moment this morning when I realised that the weather has been so dry around here. I lathered that cone up with sewer\'s aid, slowed down, and (knock wood), all seems to be going fine at the moment. I\'ve got one more pass to do, and have probably had 2 breaks during the last one. As opposed to a break every 2 inches. My tension looks good now, so I don\'t want to mess with that, but I\'ll try turning the needle too. Thanks again, Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadows4 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 I love Rainbows threads, and usually don\'t have any issues with it other than I have to loosen the tension alot. Do you think some cones of it break easier than others? I was quilting with one color of it and for my first pass from left to right it broke no less than 12 times. I played with the tension and just couldn\'t get it to stop breaking. I changed to another color of it and had NO breaks for the rest of the quilt. I\'ve used the first color before with no problems. I\'ve never figured out what the problem was. They are still my favorite thread to quilt with, but some days....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoTech Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Beth, My wife uses Rainbows almost exclusively, on top, and I found that if you use the last 2 holes on the thread guide, before the tension disk, you can then adjust the tension easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LA Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Yes, the big key is to loosen both top & bobbin tension. Dawn has written a great trouble shooting guide for Rainbows, below is a copy. Soon you will be lovin Rainbows, once I found that "sweet spot", I am happy to say that I can now use it at fairly swift speeds using CQ & life is happy in my quilting room!! For other helpful thread hints, check out the link below. Have fun with Rainbows!! Quilting with Rainbows Thread on an APQS Quilting Machine by Dawn Cavanaugh The dazzling color effects achieved with Rainbows thread from Superior Threads can really enhance your quilt tops. Rainbows thread works well on all models of APQS quilting machine. To achieve top performance from Rainbows, begin by inserting a new needle (an MR 4.0 or #18 works best). Needles with dull points or grooves worn into the eyes will cause the thread to shred and break. Next, evaluate your choice for bobbin thread. Bottom Line or MonoPoly both work well as bobbin threads. Loosen the tension on the bobbin case so that the Rainbows thread has a chance to pull the bobbin thread into the quilt sandwich without breaking. Adjust the top tension until the Rainbows thread pulls the bobbin thread into the quilt batting. If it breaks frequently, loosen the bobbin case tension even more. Practice good quilting habits, such as making sure the fabric is not too taut between your rollers, adjusting side clamps to prevent undue pressure on the quilt sides, and choosing batting that is not too thin (thin batting doesn\'t give the thread much air space in which to lock between the layers.) If the thread peels off erratically from the spool, insert a small piece of cotton batting into the thread guide directly above the spool to apply a slight amount of pressure on the thread. Check that the thread path is correct, and test for any notches or burrs that might be hiding inside the pigtail thread guides on the side of the machine and above the needle. Worn spots or notches on the guides will shred not only Rainbows thread, but others as well. Do this by simply grasping the thread above and below the thread guide, and sliding it around the inside of the guide as if to floss the guide. A notch will catch on the thread. If you do find a notch, order new guides from APQS. In the meantime, loosen the screw on the thread guide and rotate it 180 degrees, then retighten the screw. This temporary repositioning will cause the thread to rub on a different spot on the thread guide and will allow you to keep on quilting. If you notice that the Rainbows thread wants to cling to the tension side of your machine, try rubbing a dryer sheet on that side to reduce static. In addition, APQS offers an optional fly wheel cover that mounts directly over the fly wheel. This prevents the fly wheel from accidentally grabbing the thread and pulling it inside the machine. Finally, remember that high quilting speeds create a great amount of friction heat as the needle enters and exits the fabric. If you encounter thread breakage at high speeds or when you move the machine quickly, simply pace yourself and move a little slower to give the needle a chance to exit the fabric completely and stay cool. http://www.superiorthreads.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=7&id=67&Itemid=100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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