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Janet Posted on Jun 14, 2018
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I use a speed controller, medium speed. Top thread keeps fraying and breaking. Have tried changing needles, used 100/16 hlx5, 90/14, janome numbers 16, 14, 12.

Get the tensions right, but thread keeps breaking after about 12 inches of sewing. Using the janome 1600P on a freehand super quilter. Fabrics are cotton top and bottom layer with poly cotton batting. Any other suggestions? Ready to pitch both machine and quilt

1 Answer

R.A. Ellis

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  • Janome Master 12,731 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 14, 2018
R.A. Ellis
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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.

Testimonial: "Have tried everything that you mentioned above. Use only Gutermann thread. Can get a perfect stitch on a scrap, three layer, when I put the machine on the quilt, thread breaks after about a foot of sewing. Have oiled the machine, have threaded and rethreaded have reduced the speed on both the machine and the speed controller to no avail. So frustrated :("

  • 1 more comment 
  • R.A. Ellis
    R.A. Ellis Jun 15, 2018

    Try a top stitch needle. It has a groove in the shaft to protect the thread.

  • Janet
    Janet Jun 15, 2018

    Tried it. Going to pack it up and see what the repair man can tell me. Thanks for your tips.

  • R.A. Ellis
    R.A. Ellis Jun 15, 2018

    That's probably the best thing to do. It could be something defective with the machine that re-threading, changing thread, needles, etc. has no affect. Good luck!

×

2 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1116 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 06, 2010

SOURCE: I'm trying to use the Janome 1600P DBX for

I would try this -

Make sure you are not using quilting thread for hand stitching.

Thread the machine with the presser foot up.

If the machine is stitching seams without a problem and the breakage happens with thicker fabrics, it could be the presser foot is not down below where it is closing the tension to the setting of choice.

When the presser foot is up, the tension control opens. When the presser foot is down, the tension control closes to the setting you have chosen.

If this continues, call the dealer/tech and tell them the problem you are having.

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radcal

  • 196 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 17, 2011

SOURCE: I have a janome 1600P, it will not sew without either the top thread breaking or the bobin thread breaking. It will sew for about a quarter of an inch and then the thread breaks, I have changed the bo

My experiences with thread breaking with machine on a quilting frame make me look at the upper tension being set too high, the needle being worn or movement of the machine is too fast. Reduce the upper tension first, then sew in straight lines at first. See if you can sew slowly, in straight lines and reduce the upper tension until the thread stops breaking. If so, try some 1-2 inch circles, again going slowly. If the needle thread is pulling to the back, you will need to increase the upper tension again until the stitches meet in the middle of the fabric. If you can't locate a balanced spot where the needle thread is not pulling to the back side and thread doesn't break, try taking the machine off of the frame and sewing on a table. If it won't sew this way, it needs some professional help. If it does, you will probably save a lot of time taking it in for service, making sure to explain to the repair center that you have problems on a quilting frame, not while sewing normally. When the machine is adjusted to sew normally on a table and you move it to the frame, you will probably need to reduce the tension by 1-2 complete turns of the tension knob.

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Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

My thread keeps breaking on my janome 1600p-dbx sewing machine. I have changed my needle, just had it serviced but i can only free motion quilt about 6" before the thread breaks. What can I do?

  1. Check the thread tension: Make sure the upper thread tension is set correctly for the type of fabric and thread you are using. If the tension is too tight, it can cause the thread to break.
  2. Check the thread path: Make sure the thread is correctly threaded through the machine and there are no tangles or knots in the thread path.
  3. Check the bobbin tension: Make sure the bobbin tension is set correctly. If the bobbin tension is too tight or too loose, it can cause thread breakage.
  4. Use the correct needle: Make sure you are using the correct size and type of needle for the fabric and thread you are using. Using a damaged or bent needle can also cause thread breakage.
  5. Slow down your stitching speed: If you are stitching too quickly, it can cause the thread to break. Try reducing your stitching speed to see if this helps.
  6. Use high-quality thread: Make sure you are using high-quality thread that is suitable for your project. Poor-quality thread can be more prone to breakage.
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Why is my stitch distorted

Top thread is "frayed"?

Could be tension is too high, problem with needle, needle wrong type, other.

Does it straight stitch ok using same fabric, thread, needle, bobbin, and tesnsion?
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The top threat keep on breaking

Possible causes:
  • Needle eye too small for thread used - then thread frays and breaks
  • Cheap thread used that easily frays - esp. when thread has unequal thickness
  • Needle eye too sharp
  • Component of the thread guide is not smoothly guiding the thread or is sharp
  • Upper thread tension (far) too large
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I have an old Dressmaker 9500 ,thread breaks at the needle

incorrect needle eye in use for thread thickness
old thread in use
needle /hook timing not exact
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I have a janome DC4030 the top thread keeps breaking on thicker materials,

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.
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Juki Lu-562 breaking, fraying thread. The tread will fray and eventually break a lot. Is there anything else besides a different size needle or burrs on the foot plate for foot feed?

Be sure that you are using only fresh, good quality thread. Old or bargain bin thread will fray easily. Does the thread have little hairs (fibers) sticking out? If so, get rid of it. Try a different type of thread, ie polyester thread. (FWIW, Coats & Clark used by a stand-by, but it is a lesser-quality thread these days.) Be sure to use the same thread in the bobbin--polyester thread will tend to cut cotton. Try flipping the thread spool over so it feeds off in the opposite direction. Make sure the machine's bobbin area is clean of any lint or debris. The tension may be too tight. The thread may be mis-threaded or the thread is restricted somewhere, ie wrapped around a thread guide or the spool pin. Be sure the thread is running through the thread guide immediately above the needle. Remove the thread and rethread from the beginning. You might try a different type of needle, ie top-stitch needle. Top-stitch needles have a larger scarf that will protect the thread as it pierces the fabric multiple times before forming a stitch. A Top-stitch or Metafil needle has a larger eye to accommodate bigger thread. Are you sewing unusually coarse fabric? It is abrasive and could be causing the excessive fraying.

If the fraying continues, there may still be a burr somewhere.

Fraying Breaking Madeira

What Causes My Thread to Shred

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1answer

My top thread often begins to fray and then breaks while I am sewing

try these suggestions and see if they help
The top 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
8. Try a different spool or cone of thread
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Top thread keeps breaking on my Janome 1600P.

I had a similar problem and then realized that the thread on the top had a **** on the spool it was catching on.
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Thread frays and breaks when sewing and embroidering.

Make sure that the machine is threaded correctly, that the needle is in properly, that the bobbin case and bobbin are both inserted correctly and that you are not using old thread.

Make sure that there is a new needle in the machine and loosen the top tension about a number

You need to carefully re-thread the machine.
.
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Thread breaking on Simplicity Denim Star

Hi, when your thread breaks or frays right before in goes through the eye of the needle:
  1. Change your needle - after awhile, the eye can wear down and cause your thread to break or fray, eventhough it looks like the thread isn't even going through the needle. When you change your needle, make sure to install a needle that is compatible with the thread you are using (see below).
  2. If your thread still frays or breaks, make sure you've threaded your machine correctly. Most machines have a hook or bar right above the needle that your thread need to pass thru before you put the thread thru the eye of your needle. Sometimes that spot above the needle is really hard to get to, and sometimes the thread slips out. Always a good idea to double check. If you are still having problems, the needle you are using is probably the wrong size.
There are lots of needles on the market, and lots of threads. You need to make sure your needle is compatible with the thread you use for each project.

The most common needles are size 80 and 90 universal needles, which are fine for most sewing projects. But if you are using a specialty thread, you need to use a needle that is designed to work with that particular thread. For example, top stitching needles have a larger eye than a universal needle, because top stitching thread is thicker than sewing thread. The same is true for metallic thread - needles made for metallic thread an eye designed to allow the thread to pass thru without fraying. Further, if you using fine thread, you need a small needle.

FYI - unfortunately, thread sizes do not correspond directly with needle sizes. Small needle numbers indicate a needle with a small eye. But the smaller the thread size, the larger the thread. For example, size 50 thread is very fine and would usually be used with a size 70 needle. Size 30 thread is fairly thick and would probably be used with a size 90 top stitch needle.

Hope this helps, and remember, you should always change your needle after about 10 hours of sewing, no matter what size needle you are using. If you have more questions, please post again. Thanks, Ginny

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