I have cleaned and oiled my Brother sewing machine after breaking about 3 needles. But now it seems that the needle thread keeps getting hung up on the bobbin shuttle and breaking. Can anyone please tell me what is causing this problem?
By tweedy from Houston, TX
Take a deep breath and then go slow. I've been there, and been sooo frustrated. Have you checked your manuals for trouble shooting? Are you using the right size needle for the task? Are you using two different threads for bobbin and needle? Is the needle inserted properly? Is your bobbin the right kind for that machine? Is the bobbin properly wound? How is the tension? Double check your threading of the machine. Sometimes we just miss a step. Hope it gets better, and good luck!
You might take out the bobbin and look under and around it for 'fuzz'. I have to clean out under there pretty often or my thread starts breaking or jamming up into 'birds nests', or sometimes it'll just skip stitches. Try using the cleaning brush that comes with sewing machines, or just use a cheap artist's type brush and really brush it out good, then put a drop of oil in that area also and wipe excess away. I've bought several old sewing machines at yard sales that they said wouldn't sew, and after taking apart and cleaning all under the bobbin area, they sewed just fine.
Sometimes, you even have to take out the parts that hold the bobbin and clean under there, too. Be careful that you remember exactly how you take it out or you might have trouble getting it set back in. Take notes to remind yourself, because if your sewing machine is one of the models that seem to attract a lot of fuzz under there, you'll need to do it again before long, even if you're using really good quality thread. By the way, try not to use the 'bargain bin' type cheap thread, it leaves more fuzz and jams up more often. I found it was no bargain, lol.
Check your tension on the machine. If it is too tight this will also cause the thread to break. This is the spring dial on the face place of the machine.
Check that the needle is in the right way - usually with the flat side away from you, but check your manual. While you have the manual out check that the bobbin is turning the right way too. Hope you fix it
I don't have a manual and can't find one online. The thread on my needle continuously breaks after about half an hour of sewing, on my machine and that of a friend's that I'm now using. Everything seems to be in order. It was sewing fine with nothing changed up until this point.
By Josie
I've had that problem on my Singer. For me it's the tension. I've had it adjusted and they also told me to use a good quality thread - not cheap poly or even a combo.
I'm a novice sewer so purchased a Lil Sew & Sew machine and the moment it arrived I noticed that the needle clamp screw/thread hole was sitting strangely! Pretty much every time I've used the machine since then, the thread breaks! Some fabrics are a little better than others, but as I've done lots of troubleshooting (changed needles, change thread, checked tension, checked threading, etc.).
I feel that it must be down to the fact that the actual shaft where the needle goes in is twisted. So the flat back is slightly to the left and the tiny hole for the screw to fit in to hold the needle in place, is slightly to the right. Basically it's not sitting dead centre! Thus making the threading situation somewhat difficult too.Today I decided to open up the part of the machine that allows the shaft to move up and down in hopes that there would be a simple screw that loosens it so I could turn it into the correct position. Problem solved? Nope! I don't want to get too courageous and start unscrewing everything, but the one screw that I did loosen that seemed to be directly on the shaft didn't seem to do anything. Can anyone help or do I have to deal with just having a defective machine and my thread constantly breaking. Perhaps my instincts aren't correct and I have no idea what I'm talking about... in which case, any tips would be really helpful. Many thanks.
By Ella CP
Here is the instructional video on the Little Sew and Sew Sewing Machine. I hope that it will be helpful in resolving your questions. I am thinking of getting one. I will watch how this turns out for you to see if it is going to be worth the money or not.
www.youtube.com/
Blessings, Robyn
My upper thread is breaking when a thick fabric is stitched. The thread is breaking frequently. I tried changing the tension. Mine is Singer sewing machine.
I have a Gemsy, model gem8900, industrial machine. When the footpedal is stepped on hard the top thread breaks. Why is that? Please help. I am getting frustrated.
There are a number of common reasons for the bobbin thread in your sewing machine to break. Resolving these issues will make sewing easier. This is a page about fixing bobbin thread that keeps breaking.
My thread keeps breaking when I use the zigzag stitch, but is fine when I use a straight stitch.
I hope you can help.
Check your tension. It may be too tight.
I have re-threaded and checked for obstacles. I am still having thread breakage just under the foot, but only with 1 type of thread. I used another thread, different spool, same tension but no issues or thread breakage. It seems like the thread is stuck and breaks just at the foot. Is there a possibility my spool is too large? I was using a Essentials cotton thread with 1200 yards vs a standard spool of all purpose thread with 220 yards.
Yes - your spool is too large. But only for the spool pin on your machine:) What's happening is the weight of your large spool is dragging down the machine feeding the thread smoothly through the tension discs and needle. Once thread meets fabric through the needle action the accumulated strain causes your thread to snap.
You can buy freestanding cone holders and they work a treat for feeding (and safely supporting the weight) of cones AND those super yardage sized spools on the market today. Most people don't think of cone holders as useful for regular sewing machines because these cone stands are marketed towards serger owners but a serger isn't the only place for a cone holder - I own two cone holders but I don't own a serger:)
The cone holder supports the weight, feeds the thread properly through upper thread paths down to the needle and fabric - you don't have to use cones, your short stout spool of thread will be supported and feed just as easily on the cone holder as the taller cones feed through.
Prym and Hemline make cone holders and unless you go for the ultra fancy weighted base with the table clamp, the prices are very reasonable, usually between $7-$15USD or £6-£25 here in the UK where I live now. Depending on what country you live in, this is usually a relatively inexpensive bit of sewing kit that once you have it you'll wonder why you didn't have at least one sooner:)
I have a Singer Stylist 533 and my thread keeps breaking.
By Erica Z
Have you adjusted your tension? That is what I do first.
See my reply to your other question on this machine - this new problem is not likely related to your feed dog issue but is probably your bobbin gear, but all else in the other answer remains the same - your machine has plastic and silicone parts that have failed with age. And this second question now has me, a sewing teacher and vintage Singer repair tech here in the UK, now strongly urging you to splash out on a modern, under-warranty sewing machine. Sorry but there it is - I think your lovely 533 is past her sewing days, sadly!
I also posted a link to a SingerCo free download of your manual there but will post it again here for you:
www.singerco.com/
The upper thread breaks frequently. Why?
By Farhat from Barcelona
Hi there. I have discovered if your top thread keeps breaking, your machine may not be threaded right or it could also do that if you are using cheap thread. If you feel your machine is threaded right, I would try a better quality thread and see if that helps. Hope this helps.
Frogheaven is on the right track.
But if those tips don't help it may be that you have a broken or worn out bobbin gear and that's a job for a professional repairman. He or she will be able to remove the cover of your machine and tell just by looking what is wrong, and will have the part(s) needed to fix it quickly.
It shouldn't be very expensive even if you ask him/her to do a general maintenance and check-over of the machine.
I have a Brother 1500 sewing machine. The thread keeps breaking and some times the needle will break also. I am also having problems with it skipping stitches, but not all the time.
Can you tell me why it is doing this so I can continue sewing? I use this machine to quilt my quilts. It is on a quilting frame. Thank you.