Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 09-18-2006, 06:48 PM (1 of 7)
|
After reading the many posts about various thread types, I decided to buy some nice Gutterman polyester thread for my current project, a knit skirt and top set. I started sewing the skirt today -- I was sewing a small zig zag for the side seams, and it would go a couple inches and then knot up terribly on the underside. I rethreaded it, checked the bobbin orientation..same problem. Finally I rewound the bobbin and that seemed to fix the problem -- maybe the other one was a little off kilter. Now when I try sewing the seam, after a while (maybe a foot or so), the thread starts to shred. Every once in a while it seems to skip a stitch and kind of knot up too, but most of the stitches are fine. Any ideas? I'm thinking it could either be that my machine doesn't like something about the fabric or thread (it's not a top of the line machine, and I've never really done knits before and always used Coats and Clark thread), or that the needle has some kind of burr in the eye that is wearing on the thread, or maybe something is wrong with the machine itself.. Anyway, this is so frustrating since I want to have the outfit done for a wedding we're going to on Friday.  Suggestions are much appreciated!
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
|
User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-18-2006, 08:09 PM (2 of 7)
|
This stuff makes some people give up sewing altogether, but not you! Not after that wonderful wedding dress this summer! Some trouble shooting tips:http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp The first thing that came to mind was thread tension (upper/lower) I have knocked my dial off kilter just dusting or moving the machine (last night!). Have also found that when I tried a topstitching thread I needed to change the tension and/or needle size to match. So look again, go back to your old thread type and see if it's still happening. Check the thread thickness, and see if your new one is comparable to the old one. Then prepare to battle, or really, if you want to succeed, dance gently with your tension settings, a smidge at a time, testing and re-testing until you get it right. You will. Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 09-18-2006, 10:30 PM (3 of 7)
Thanks Andrea! I think I just need to have some patience and troubleshoot. I had thought about the tension -- although it pains me to adjust it because I had just gotten it to the point where my zigzag stitches wouldn't pull through to the bottom completely.  I had an exam this morning and the rest of the day off -- I really could have finished the skirt at least if I hadn't run into trouble! Oh well. I'll keep plugging along. 
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
|
User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222
|
From: plrlegal
Date: 09-18-2006, 10:54 PM (4 of 7)
|
Okay, have you checked all of your thread paths to be sure nothing is there for the thread to snag on and kind of hold it instead of feeding it smoothly through all of the thread paths? Also, is your bobbin thread winding off in the right direction? Are you using a needle for knits (i.e. ball point) and are your thread weight and needle size compatible? Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-19-2006, 07:54 AM (5 of 7)
|
And, of course, you changed your needle. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 09-19-2006, 08:01 AM (6 of 7)
|
Loosened up the tension a little bit and changed the needle...everything seems to be working now! Now I just have to go get some elastic, because the skirt is really heavy -- it's a long, full circle skirt, and I don't think it's going to stay up on its own. I'll be lucky if I don't need suspenders! Thanks for the help, everyone!
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
|
User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222
|
From: paroper
Date: 09-19-2006, 08:37 AM (7 of 7)
|
The thread goes back and forth around 67 times (67 in a Bernina) before it ever reaches the needle. Anything at all that it rubs on can cause the thread to do this. The thread you are using is excellent. My first thought is that you might have a burr on your presser plate and I'd sure check it. Often there is a little nick in the plate from the needle hitting it when it breaks. If you have one it can saw your thread. Quite often you can just file these smooth. Also, any lint or old thread in the tension disks can cause problems. You can clean these by raising your presser foot and taking some unwaxed dental floss and rubbing back and forth in both disks. Look for lint and threads that might be caught elsewhere in the thread path. The bobbin should be wound smoothly and evenly with no ends showing (from the bobbin winding). Any stray threads in the bobbin case or around hook system can get caught in while making a stitch and "confuse" the machine, resulting in knots. Also make sure that your bobbin is spooling from the right direction and threaded correctly through the bobbin tension springs in your case.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-20165.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft