Still Totally Frustrated...
I've done everything.... Re threaded many,,many times, changed needles,mand checked the bobbin.... My Brother refuses to stay threaded... It's unusable at this point....
I did quilt a small quilt with it...because I had to..but was forced to rethread dozens of times.
Any more suggestions? I just don't know what to do.... I need this machine....
Thanks, in advance for any help....
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Do you have a sewing machine repair person that you trust? Sometimes it needs a professional when we can't fix it ourselves.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Sounds like you need to take it in to the doc. :(
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Sandy, is it unthreading or is the thread breaking? Change the thread . . . and you may have a burr someplace on your needle plate that is snagging and causing the thread to break. Have you tried it on straight stitching - play with your tension a bit as it may be grabbing the thread and not allowing it to pass through to the needle.
Those are only a few of the ideas that cross my mind right now. Wish I was there to help you solve this one.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
If you have tried all the suggestions - take the top and bottom threads out and run it sloooowly so you can check for any different noises or see a needle twist or do other strange things.
Where does it come unthreaded? At the takeup lever? If that machine has a takeup lever that you slide thread into instead of putting the thread though an eye, put a piece of tape on the back of the takeup lever so the thread can't slip out. I've done this to Vikings and Pfaffs.
Does it have a thread cutter and do you use it? If the cutter isn't right it could be cutting the thread at the wrong angle or time and the thread is backlashing upwards and out of the needle.
The Juki is doing this with a poly invisible thread. The thread is curled coming off the spool and when you use the cutter, the thread springs back up and out of the needle.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Are you sewing with the "needle down" button in use? Mine always comes unthreaded if I start out fresh while in the "needle down" mode. Of course I have manually moved the needle up to get the fabric in place, and then the needle has to go down and jerks the thread from my fingers before it gets in position.
I know you know this, but maybe some newer quilters may not.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Sandy, after reading your original post, my brother started the same type of antics. I changed the needle, re-threaded, and used a new bobbin then watched carefully to see if that fixed the problem. I did notice that the take up lever was letting the thread slip out. My thread wasn't breaking, but it was making bird nests. Also, the upper tension needed attention when all was said and done.
Sorry, I can't tell you what to do. After sitting for a little while, the beast decided it would play nice again. This has happened a couple of times when I put a newly wound bobbin. Go figure.
If you like, PM me and see if we can get together to take a look at it. Can't hurt and I'm free.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
I agree with Sandy, change your thread. Check the tension. Have you taken your bobbin area apart to clean it out?? I know I have to do this to my brother more often than I would want to. But it is worth the time and effort.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
I'm in the trying another thread camp. I was having problems recently and as a last resort before heading to the repair man I changed thread and it sewed beautifully.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Mine did that - and I thought it was the timing. Then it started making a weird noise... to be fair, it was an inexpensive model and probably not worth a large repair fee. So, I did all the things that everyone here recommended. Once it started making that noise, I was really nervous to try anything with it. I did try to show someone at my local store what it was doing, and the motor died. I guess I sewed it to death!!
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
If your thread is popping out after using the automatic needle cutter, you aren't alone. Sometimes my Brother machine does that with certain colors of thread. Gutterman ecru being the worst for me.
I've stopped using the thread cutter with that particular thread. Instead I raise the needle, taking out my project and using the side cutter or scissors to cut the top and bobbin threads.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
You can sometimes get "furballs" between the upper tension discs; you know, the ones you never see in there so you don't think to clean them?Get a good length of dental floss and run it FIRMLY back and forth through there a few times. Don't be bashful, bear down on it firmly. You just might be surprised what you drag out of there, and how much better your machine works.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pandabear
If your thread is popping out after using the automatic needle cutter, you aren't alone. Sometimes my Brother machine does that with certain colors of thread.
Mine hates my red thread. All the same brand, but the red always comes unthreaded, and I tried two different spools of red.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Certain colors seem to have more "memory" than others, so they curl up back toward the spool a bit.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
K. McEuen
Mine hates my red thread. All the same brand, but the red always comes unthreaded, and I tried two different spools of red.
I don't blame your machine. Red's a gross color.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pandabear
I don't blame your machine. Red's a gross color.
For shame, for shame - MY FAVORITE COLOR.
Just for fun I am going to send red fabric to YOU . . .
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sandy Navas
For shame, for shame - MY FAVORITE COLOR.
Just for fun I am going to send red fabric to YOU . . .
Haha! Ya gotta find me first. :)
You should change your favorite to orange. So much more of a fun color.
The funniest thing... My kid is red/green colorblind. His favorite color is red. Seriously... He doesn't see it the way we do. I am convinced the only reason it's his favorite is because I despise it so much.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
The last time I went to my LQS and grabbed some thread they advised me to grab different thread as they had complaints that it actually caused problems with the machine. And when I say problems, it sounds like what you are having. Is this thread a standard size spool? Do you have it on a cone thread holder? I changed my mind at the last minute and grabbed different thread but they said to make sure if I ever used that thread to do so using a cone thread holder because sooooo many people had problems with how it spooled off. It knotted, broke, or came unthreaded repeatedly. Try a different thread. It is possible it is nothing you are doing or not doing.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
A thank you to all of you.... I really appreciate your help.
OK... I'll change the thread... And the bobbin... Both are black Coats and ?Clark... The big spool.....
Sometimes there is a "clunk", which makes me think the thread has come out if the take up lever.... I'll check that, too.
I use the needle Down function most if the time.... And the auto cutter..... I start out with a very long tail, but that dies no good. After using the cutter, I always pull the threads way out, to avoid the obvious....
I'll also clean out under the plate, and try to clean the tension thingies....
Red and orange are both awesome colors, but I have to admit that I prefer a good red.... But... Purple is my fav these days....
Oh.. I do have a good repair guy close by.... If all fails, Lucy will be paying him a visit.
Wish me luck!
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Deegles
The last time I went to my LQS and grabbed some thread they advised me to grab different thread as they had complaints that it actually caused problems with the machine. And when I say problems, it sounds like what you are having. Is this thread a standard size spool? Do you have it on a cone thread holder? I changed my mind at the last minute and grabbed different thread but they said to make sure if I ever used that thread to do so using a cone thread holder because sooooo many people had problems with how it spooled off. It knotted, broke, or came unthreaded repeatedly. Try a different thread. It is possible it is nothing you are doing or not doing.
I KNOW that thread, had 2 spools of it. Never again.
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Try leaving a leader/ender in place. It will keep the thread from coming out of the needle. Plus you can start another project at the same time.:icon_wave:
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Okay, lets back up just a wee bit. I was having something similar on my machine a week or more ago. Terrible clunking noise and the top thread was looping terribly. Took it in for service. The problem? Lint in the bobbin case tension plates. Not visible - but the repair person knew how to take it apart - and the stuff she saved for me was quite a lot. A LARGE fluff piece (compressed though).
You may have to give in and have someone who is brave enough to take that bobbin case apart . . .
Re: Still Totally Frustrated...
Shortly after I got Matilda, I had thread breakage problems. I called the shop I bought her from because she is not something that can be transported easily. They told me it was more than likely a small bur down in the bobbin area and to run my finger around down there and I'd probably feel it. Sure enough, I felt it. They said to take a piece of fine grade sandpaper to it and it would be fixed, so that's what I did, and sure enough, it was fixed!!