At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.
Re: When sewing the top thread breaks and underneath the...
It sounds like the top thread is not being pulled back up properly make sure the machine is threaded properly with a new needle. (sorry for stating the obvious) otherwise you can try higher thread tension on top thread larger size needle. thinner gauge thread different material
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
Likely tension too high or thread is snagging somewhere.
With machine threaded, test top thread feed and tension as follows.
Needle up, presser foot up, tension set to 4. Make a long slow steady pull of thread. The thread should advance smoothly and freely through needle eye. Any snagging or sudden change in tension is suspect. Make a couple more pulls to make sure thread doesn't snag while unwinding from spool. Note this is no tension as presser foot is up which opens tension plates.
Lower foot and make a couple more slow steady pulls. Thread should advance smoothly through the eye of needle. Note the change in tension with foot down.
If feed/tension tests ok, then could be problem with bobbin area, but I'd expect more symptoms, such as thread balling underneath when top thread breaks.
If the top thread sews a few inches and then breaks, something is catching the top thread and holding it until it breaks. Usually, this will happen when using the old style thread cones with the slit in the edge to keep the thread from raveling off the spool. To prevent the thread from hanging up, turn the thread spool over so the slit is at the top instead of the bottom. Sometimes top thread breaks will happen if the thread becomes looped around the thread spool pin.
Remove the thread, ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and then rethread the upper thread. Verify that the thread path is correct and that the thread has not looped around a guide.
If the thread is fraying at the needle eye, the needle/thread are not compatible. Also, the tension may be too high.
Check that the upper tension disk is clean--no gunk buildup or thread pieces stuck.
If the thread is actually breaking when it penetrates the needle plate hole, there may be a burr or nick somewhere below that is catching the upper thread. You can wrap your finger with a piece of fine fabric, like an old pair of hosier, fine knit fabric, etc. and running your finger around in the bobbin area, under the needle plate. If you get snags, then you have a burr or nick. If it is small, you can sometimes smooth it with a fine emery board. If it is a large burr, you may need to purchase a replacement part.
not quite sure how needle is jamming. I have had them break, had thread ball up underneath and caused needle to jam. Question is the needle in the right way, ie the flat side in as per manual, generally the flat side faces away from you. Sounds like your tension is not quite right if the thread is looping. Loops on bottom, bobbin tension, on top sewing machine tension
Have you changed the needle ? Is the fabric a knit ? If the needle has been used for awhile, it may be dull. Many modern fibres are quite hard on needles, which need to be replaced fairly often.
Many knit fabrics require a ball point or Q needle.. [ Kenmore\'s brand of ball point knit needle]. Many knits are notorious for causing skipped stitches and a special needle for knits can really help with this.
If thread is bunching up, is this underneath or on top of the fabric ?
If it is underneath, the top tension may need to be adjusted. Mal adjusted top tension can cause a lot of problems, and the mechanism that controls it can become worn and may need service or replacement.
Thread balling up in the bobbin case usually indicates that the TOP thread is mis-threaded (usually at the take up lever). Check with your manual for proper threading path.
Upper thread breaks
needle may be in backwards
Raise the needle bar to the highest point then loosen the clamp screw to remove the old needle, place the new needle in the clamp with the flat side to the back of the machine
Push the needle all the way up to the stop or as far as it will go, then tighten the needle clamp screw
upper tension may be to tight
the needle may be bent or damaged
Lower thread breaks
The most probable cause of lower thread breaking is improperly wound bobbin
don't wind the bobbin so full that it would be tight & hard to insert into bobbin case
bent bobbin--replace
thread catching on the bobbin spring or latch on bobbin case check to see that the bobbin is inserted completely & correctly & that you are using the right kind of bobbin .
Make sure thread tails are at least 6" long when you put underneath your presser foot. Also, make sure you turn hand wheel toward you until metal take- up lever raises to highest position. Make sure needle inserted ALL THE WAY UP in needle bar goove and secure needle clamp. I M P O R T A N T: presser foot must be raised all the way UP before threading machine and pull thread TAUT when threading machine so thread can locate into the tension slots correctly.
Thread still breaks? Please clean bobbin case and feed dogs for fuzz balls, lint, and anyoose broken threads!
Hope this helps! If so, please give me rating for my free service.
Happy sewing!
Jimmy
Most of the time it is caused by the top threading, Could your thread be old, or tangled? Double check your threading by this little trick, put your tension dial on 3, totally rethread, insert a new needle (flat side facing rear). Then with the presser foot up, pull on the top thead and it should pull smoothly, now put the presser foot down, pull again, it should barely move. This usually seats the thread in the tension discs. Hope this helps.
If the thread is loose on the bottom of the fabric, it's actually the top thread is too loose. Think of 2 little elves playing tug of war in your machine, one on toip and one underneath. If you have loops on bottom, the top needs to pull harder (tighten top tension)
I had a problem with the thread balling up under the face plate, too.
I have a Kenmore 385 16528000. I don't know if with other brands that this will pertain to them, but this was my solution:
I had the needle in the wrong way! The top part of the needle that is inserted into the machine needs to go in with the FLAT SIDE AWAY from you. So I hope that helps somebody!!
Elayna
×