Monofilament thread keeps breaking. Tension has been loosened, and the stitches look really good, but the thread keeps breaking.
There are very fine monofilament threads made for sewing (not the old stuff that was thick like fishing line). One thing you will want to do is use the monofilament in the top thread but a regular thread in the bobbin.
One thing I learned when using monofilament thread for quilting is that it sometimes doesn't work well on the machine's built-in spoolholder. Our instructor had us scotchtape a safety pin or paperclip (just run the tape through the open part so only one side of the pin or paperclip is taped to the machine) on the back of the machine about midway between the spool holder and the first threadguide on the left top. If you have a detachable threadholder, set it on the table behind your machine and let the thread feed from there (you can move it around to make adjustments as well as adjusting your thread tension). The pin/clip becomes the first threadguide for your monofilament thread. Run the monofilment thread from the spool, through the pin/clip, and then through the first threadguide on the left top.
If you don't have a detachable threadholder, you can make one by hammering a long nail through a small piece of board and putting your thread spool over the nail.
I would suggest that you don't use this thread, it is too fine for the tension device on a domestic sewing machine, and they just don't like it. Too strong, too fine. Its best used in industrial blind hemming machines, if you look at RTW trouser hems you'll often see monofilament utilised here.
SOURCE: My thread keeps breaking, I have changed thread
I suggest you change your needle and make sure you're using the right needle and thread combination for the fabric you're trying to sew. Also, don't use old thread. Exposure to sunlight and age weakens thread. If the tension on the top thread is way too tight that could make the thread break also.
Good luck and let me know if these suggestions help.
SOURCE: Elna 2007 sewing machine breaking upper thread in
Is your top thread tension on 1? this sounds way too loose, should be 4 or 5.
This is a horizontal top loading bobbin machine isn't it like the Janomes?
Do you have a manual for it? It sounds to me like the top thread is too loose and as it is pulled down and around the rotary hook there is no tension on it to pull it back up through the fabric and form a stitch which is then causing it to jam. Then once youve gots bits of thread in there, its just jamming and jamming. Cleaning out the bobbin holder as you described is good, you may need to do it again and ensure all bits of thread are out of it.
I think you need to revist all the threading up and ensure that the top thread is under tension, try number 5. Also check that bobbin is correctly wound nice and smoothly, then loaded into the bobbin holder correctly so that the thread is coming off the bobbin spool in the right direction, ie thread needs to come off the bobbin, then reverse direction in a "v" shape, usually in the direction of the back of the free arm. And that the thread has been clicked into the tension spring fully, put the thread into the slot of the tension device and press down on it with your finger tip until you hear it click into tension.
Also double check the take up lever, if the thread has slipped out of this, it will jam up for sure.
If you don't have any manual for this then try www.sewusa.com, there is good troubleshooting tips and threading diagrams for lots of makes and models.
Hope this helps you, persever, its most likely threading/tension issues and can be overcome with the right settings.
SOURCE: Having trouble with the tension. I keep breaking
normal tension for the top thread on a sewing machine is between 4-6, usually 5. If the top thread is breaking you need to firstly look at the thread you are using; is it old and brittle or a new reel. Don't use those cheap cottons you buy 4 in a pack in a bargain bin, they shred colour and fibres and are not good for the machine. Brands to use include Guttermann, Mettler Metrosene, Molynecke, and Madeira.
If you can access them, try cleaning between the discs on the tension device. To do this, turn the tension dial to zero, then "floss" between the discs using the selvage edge of a clean piece of cotton offcut, if some gunk comes out, clean some more. You can moisten the fabric with denatured alcohol if the discs are pretty gummed out. Make sure you set tension back to 5, then thread up again and pay particular attention to the thread take up lever. This draws down the thread from the spool on its downward stroke, so is necessary to ensure smooth flow of thread from spool to needle.
Also see if the thread is catching anywhere in the thread path, it may be catching on the thread spool itself, some have a slot to hold the thread during storage. Also see if the thread has wrapped around any of the thread eyelets or part of the machine. Make sure its threaded through all the eyelets in the threading diagram, usually top eyelet, tension dial, take up lever then down to the needle.
Try all these things and see if it resolves the issues you are having, it is easy sometimes to just miss one part of the threading up, even experts do it sometimes.
SOURCE: How do you set tension
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