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'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
I have a Janome sewing machine. It is so frustrating, the machine sews fine for approximately 3-4 inches and then the top thread breaks. I have cleaned the bobbin and changed the thread. I tried changing the tension on the top and this was in vain.
By Korki
Have you changed the needle? If not, try that. Sometimes a needle will get slightly bent and cause all kinds of trouble.
Changing the thread to a better quality can help too. I had this problem with thread I bought at walmart. I bought the same kind of thread (multi purpose) from a sewing store and you could visually see that this thread was better.
I have a Singer 591 industrial sewing machine. The top thread keeps breaking just under the foot.
My thread keeps breaking when I use the zigzag stitch, but is fine when I use a straight stitch.
I hope you can help.
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.
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.
My Merritt double speed sewing machine's thread breaks when thick material is stitched. What do I do?
What do I do if the upper thread is breaking?
By Alladin from Mahayahay
What to do when the upper thread keeps breaking...
*Check your user guide/manual - it will have tables for choosing the correct needle, thread, tension, and information on stitch type-length-width works for what type fabric, feed dog setting, and the very helpful troubleshooting table usually found at the end of the manual.
*Check the needle and thread - right size for the project?
*Check the tension setting - right setting for the fabric you're trying to sew?
*Check that your feed dogs are in the correct position for the fabric you're trying to sew.
If you don't have the manual, the machine maker's website usually has a free download.
If none of the above solves your issue, the tension discs may be clogged with lint. If your machine has the tension dial/knob on the outside of the machine, you'll be able to see the metal discs if you look down at/into the knob from a standing position over the machine - try some unwaxed dental floss just the way you would floss your teeth. Run clean floss through the discs (be gentle!) several times and try to sew again...
If that doesn't help, it's time to take the machine to a qualified repair tech - you either have a big ball of lint behind the tension discs inside the machine (where you should not go without training!) or more likely, the bobbin gear has worn and needs replacing.
Good luck, I hope you'll update when you find out what caused the trouble.
Why does my sewing machine keep snapping the needle thread? It is good quality thread, the machine is threaded correctly, and the tension is correct. (I think, though I find this difficult to believe.) Also, for no apparent reason, the needle function will suddenly seize up and foot pedal won't move it. I have to turn it manually. Any ideas please?
By ACW from SomewhereinMI, MI
My 30+year old Singer was doing that-turned out to be a broken gear inside the machine.
I tried everything else first: changed needles, to a brand new spool of thread and bobbin thread, adjusted tension (including the bobbin tension), a few other things I can't recall now. Nothing worked so I Googled, LOL, and found out the reason thread breaks and the machine won't progress might be a broken bobbin gear.
Had my machine out to the elderly man who used to work in the Singer factory where my lovely old machine was built (I live in Scotland). I had the machine back in a week and it's run beautifully since.
