Thread keeps gathering from the bottom, jams then breaks needle.

If thread is breaking at the needle, change the needle. It could be damaged and snagging the thread. However, if there is a burr in the needle plate, that could be catching and breaking the thread. Try different thread. Be sure to ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading. Verify the thread path is correct and that each thread is seated completely in the tension disk. The tension may be too tight.

possibly the top thread is being restricted in movement
check that the thread is between the tension plates and not behind it or knotted up in the way it is threaded
pull on the needle thread and it should move with a steady pull not very hard
if it is not moving fairly easily the check how you have the thread installed
also old thread will break easily as the bonding used to keep the strands together breaks down and is difficult for the thread to slide though the needle
another point is the needle to hook timing and the clearance there as well .
if there is a problem there , the hook will split the thread from the needle and break it
if you still have problems , take it to a sewing machine service center ( any one ) and they will advise of the problem and show you how to fix it

use new needle,
check if the top thread is between tension discs,
increase top tension a little.

The needle thread breaks
1. the needle thread is not threaded properly
2. The needle thread tension is to tight
3. The needle is bent or blunt
4. The needle is incorrectly inserted
5. The needle thread & the bobbin thread are not set under the presser foot when starting to sew
6. the threads were not drawn to the rear after sewing
7. The thread is either to heavy or to fine for the needle

the tread gets stuck on in the thread take up arm, there is a joint ware the arm is rived to gather, the thread get caught between arm and the rived sheet steel . . take little silicon gasket and fill in the joint so thr thread can't get stuck where its rived

I have a Janome 6500 and I initially had several problems and took mine back 3 time in the first year. I was disappointed with how easy it was to jam up the bobbin race and dislodge the bobbin holder out of its correct position, resulting in damaging the case (by the needle striking it). Because the bobbin case is held by magnets, I would jam it constantly by loading up the machine with thick seams, the bobbin case would dislodge, the needle would strike it and bam, out of action again. I've replaced the case twice so far and if I damage it, sometimes I can file down the plastic burring with a nail file to keep it going. The Janome lady pointed out to me that sewing jeans hems is a lot to expect and I should not stitch over the seam intersections with my machine without using a "jean-thingummy" plastic tool to help the feed dogs manage the extra thickness and get grip. Changing needles is something that you will have to adjust to, modern machines require a new needle every 4-6 sewing hours or each new project. I understand that the old Singers were not like this at all. Sorry, fact of life, you'll need to change them regularly. If you form stitches slowly using the flywheel and can hear a popping sound, your needle is blunt, change it. Also if your top thread is breaking, just check that you've got the thread arm aerial up so that the thread can run freely. Use good quality thread, clean out the tension discs regularly and double check that the bobbin is correctly under tension and that the red arrow and dots showing the bobbin case are aligned up correctly. Also, when winding bobbins, keep and eye on the thread filling and make sure it fills top and bottom, not just the middle area, give it a nudge with your finger tip as it fills to do this. And keep a little gentle tension on the thread reel so the thread feeds off at a constant tension onto the bobbin. If you check some other sewing machine forums you'll find that the above issues are not uncommon with these machines. I guess you have to weigh up if the other stitch features are worth it and maybe keep a heavy duty vintage machine for the tough work, I did.

Hi! I've had this happen to me many times and it is so very frustrating! First, take the bobbin out and also the bobbin assembly and clean the entire area of all lint, fuzz, little bits of thread....get it as clean as you can. Take out the upper thread too. Clean and oil. Change the needle. Make sure you're using the appropriate size and type of needle and thread for the fabric. Take off the needle plate and look for any nicks or scratches. If you've got them, you can get emery cloth from a good hardware store (often in the plumbing department) and polish them out (or mostly out).

Rethread the machine, carefully following the instruction manual. Use your basic, normal settings. Using a scrap of the fabric you're trying to gather, sew a seam and see if everything works ok. You may need to hold the top and bobbin thread firmly behind the needle as you sew the first few stitches (I find this little trick helps a lot to prevent birdsnests).

To gather, sew three parallel lines of long, basting stitches (you really don't need a special foot or special settings other than to make the stitch a long one). Don't backstitch, reverse, or lockstitch either end, and leave the thread long when you cut it. Pull the three bobbin threads and the fabric with gather nicely along them.

Something to keep in mind--if you're trying to gather very sheer fabric on a zigzag machine, you may need to replace the throat plate with the zigzag hole for a throat plate with a single, small hole for a straight stitch. I've run into this situation before, and ended up using one of my antique straight-stitch only machines to do the gathering.

If you don't have a throat plate with the single hole, you might try some light weight interfacing to give some density to the sheet fabric.


Hope this helps!

You do need an oiling and cleaning. Also, try adjusting on the bobbin cover by turning th little screw with a small screwdriver. Keep adjusting and testing until you get the loops just as you want them...

There is special thread for denim/jeans. It usually comes in shades of brown. It's a little heavier and might help with the breakage. You might also want to try a little less tension. I assume you already have a Schmetz denim needle?

I just posted this elsewhere, but it seems relevant to your question as well:

You need to increase your top tension.
Immediately after threading the machine, but before you thread the needle, with the presser foot in the up position, grab the thread at the bottom and top, and "floss" it a few times. This will ensure that the thread works its way into the tension assemblies.
Then raise your tension to about 4.5, drop the presser foot, and you should be good to go.

-R