My Janome 1600 keeps breaking threads

When the thread is fraying at the needle eye, it sometimes means the thread is being held back somewhere in the thread path. Remove the top thread. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread. Verify the thread path is correct. Check the tension. If it is too tight, the tensioner is not allowing the thread to advance. (When you raise the presser foot, are you able to pull the top thread?) Try changing thread brands. Some threads and machines just do not get along. AVOID old or bargain bin threads. If you are stitching coarse, abrasive fabric, it can cause thread to fray and break.

The thread pulls out when you begin to stitch? Pull more thread tail through the needle eye. You can also try holding the thread tails in your left hand when beginning the first stitches.

Make sure the correct length of needle is used and installed correctly. Sometimes it moves slightly out of the holder without falling out but just enough to affect the needle eye position which can cause this kind of problem. For thicker materials use either ball point or denim needles. As last resort the top thread tension might be too tight. Adjust the top thread tension.

Could be the result of several things. There could be some gunk or threads stuck in the tension disk. Be sure to remove the thread and rethread from the beginning in the order specified. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading!!!! If you haven't tried a brand new needle, do so, and make sure it is pushed all the way up and installed with the flat side facing the correct direction. Some machines recommend #90 as the largest needle to use. Also, perhaps the needle eye is too small to accommodate the thread. Watch where the thread is breaking to give you an idea of where the problem may originate. Try a different brand of thread. Sometimes black thread causes issues because the heavy dye affects the thread. Set the tensions at the midway point and then loosen the tension on that one needle. There could also be a burr or rough spot somewhere along the threadpath that is catching the thread. Last idea--could be a timing issue.

Serger needle thread breaking sewing discussion topic PatternReview com

http://www.amitymama.com/threads/anyone-have-an-idea-why-my-serger-needle-thread-keeps-breaking.280524

Make It Handmade Threading Your Serger or Overlocker

Help please Serger needle thread breaking

Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking

There are several common reasons for upper thread breakage.

Check that the needle/thread/fabric are compatible.
All About Needles

Remove the upper thread from the machine, install a brand new needle, ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot, and rethread from the beginning. Verify the thread path is correct. Set the upper tension to the midway point.

NMSU Checklist of Common Machine Troubles

Sewing Machine Problem 1 Thread Breakage

Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking

Why Does My Thread Keep Breaking While Sew

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Have you tried loosening the upper tension? Remove the upper thread, RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning (make sure it follows the correct thread pathway). Sometimes the upper thread jumps out of a thread guide or wraps around something. Or try a different brand of thread? Avoid old or bargain bin threads--use good quality thread. Could also be the incorrect needle for the thread/fabric, ie thread too large for the needle eye.

Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking

NMSU Checklist of Common Machine Troubles

Why Does My Thread Keep Breaking While Sew

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More likely, you need to replace the needles, which are now slightly bent.

sergers the most frustrating machines. Every time you change fabrics you go through a tension adjusting phase.

First make sure you have threaded the machine in the proper order. upper looper, lower looper, then needles from right to left. Always thread any machine while the presser foot lever is in the UP position.

If you ever break a thread... you MUST pull all threads and rethread using the proper order.

Ok that's out of the way. Pull all your threads and get out several pieces of the same fabric scrap. Thread each pathway with a different color. This will help you determine which thread is giving you fits. Sew a test strip. Which thread is loose? tighten/loosen that tension. Keep doing this until you have a well balance seam. Then clip the colored threads starting with the upper looper thread, tie off to your proper color for your seam pull the thread through and up through the throat plate. proceed in this manner with lower looper, right needle, left needle. Sew a test seam.

Good luck.

Is it possible the thread might be too old? If so, it might tend to break easier than normal. Also if it got wet.

I had a similar problem and then realized that the thread on the top had a **** on the spool it was catching on.