kwilter81 Posted December 1, 2005 Report Share Posted December 1, 2005 Hi everyone, I'm hoping for a suggestion that will solve a thread break problem. I am using Superior Rainbow Variegated in the top and bottom line in the bobbin. I sew about 12 inches and the top thread breaks. It seems like it is breaking at the needle hole or right before. I've checked for burrs, found none. Changed my needle and used crocus cloth to smooth they eye of the new needle. My towa is reading about 22 for the bobbin, which is my typical setting. I've skipped a hole in my three hole thread guide. I've loosened the top tension a bit also. Any suggestions would be great so I can finish this top today. Thanks Pat (Ultimate II) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerri Posted December 1, 2005 Report Share Posted December 1, 2005 Check to make sure the needle is exactly straight. I had a problem with thread breaking before and it was the because the eye of the needle was slightly canted You might have to loosed the tension a tad more on top too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwilter81 Posted December 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Thank-you Jerri, I didn't check that, but you're right. That makes a difference. My eyes are not what they used to be, getting the needles in straight take me a while. Whats the best way to check that? Sometimes I put a piece of white paper just behind the eye and try to look on it straight. But thanks for the hint. Hope it works. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilts2DI4 Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Pat. A nice way to see if your needle is straight is to put a straight pin in the eye and you can see if it is pointing out or a little to the right or left...use the pin to turn the needle until it is just right and tighten down. Easy way to see and turn the needle. Diana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwilter81 Posted December 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Hi Diana, Thats an excellent suggestion, never thought of doing that. Thank-you Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerri Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 I too use a "pin" when changing the needle- my eyes aren't what they used to be either:( Glad to see it worked for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ammueller7 Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Also - you would think that the Rainbows thread being so tiny would take a tighter tension - but the exact opposite is true - the tension has to be VERY loose for Rainbow thread - when ripping out something that I had used Rainbow thread on, I noticed that it is a very "unsmooth" thread - it pulls out very difficultly when "unsewing" - probably why the tension has to be so loose - it's not smooth! Good luck Angie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artinfabric Posted December 3, 2005 Report Share Posted December 3, 2005 I am new to this board. that was a great idea about the use of a pin in the eye of the needle to help keep it straight. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athleticsecretary Posted December 5, 2005 Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 I too am having problems with a Rainbow varigated thread...unfortunately I have to have the top tension pretty high in order tokeep from having railroad tracks on the bottom. I will check the needle when I get home. I've put a piece of fleece in the first loop above the thread (that helped a lot with the railroad tracks too). I appreciate all the suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerri Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 What kind of tension does the bobbin have? I have mine so that when I drop the Bobbin (holding the thread of course:)) there is a slight hesitation then it slowly falls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltaholi_518 Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 I am having issues with tension also, but I believe it is because we have had a cold snap (in the 20s) and the house is dry. I found that if I keep a crock pot with water on low near the machine, it helps increase the humidity and cut down on static. It always seems worse with the 100% polys like rainbow and highlights. Also, some one suggested using sewer's aid, a thread and needle lubricant. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSusieQuilts Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 On one of my quilting lists..... the ladies were talking about using a used fabric softner sheets to keep the thread from tangling... I had a spool that insisted on twisting and breaking.... I stuck a slightly used.(I wet it and dried it then put it in the thread guide back at the spool......... It sure stopped the twisting problems.. Apparently there is enough fabric softner left in the sheet to stop the static and help keep the thread from twisting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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