Thread Curls Up

[Iris Girl]

Thanks. I have a Riccar sewing machine (seems like few people have heard of them).

The stitches look fine; have just never seen thread curl in this way.

Will check out the articles above.

I had a Riccar many years ago It was a wonderful machine. I used it so much I burned the motor out!

Only time I ever get thread curl is if I use cheap thread or try and pull with the foot down

[buckeyequilter]

I have some of that thread and it works just fine. I don't think it's the best for piecing since it's a thicker thread...I believe mine is 30 wt.

[Heather]

All thread I have used curls up when I use the auto cutter on the side of my machine, unless I hold the thread with my right hand and sweep it into the cutter with my left. So I just use my little scissors. Old school!

[Alpha O]

I had a bright pink Riccar years ago. They are not bad mechanical machines and usually will sew just about anything. I only sewed clothes and mended with it. Coats and Clarks sewing thread didn't seem to cause problems.

I started sewing knits and the motion of the overedge stitches were not very good on Lycra.

[Alpha O]

I had a Riccar many years ago It was a wonderful machine. I used it so much I burned the motor out!

Only time I ever get thread curl is if I use cheap thread or try and pull with the foot down

When you try to pull with the foot down, the tension disks are usually closed. That will cause curl.

You supposedly can floss tension disks using a dollar bill.

I don't know how many times I've tried pulling a top thread for hand sewing on a garment and the presser foot is down.

[DramaMama]

I think I have the answer to my problem: the thread may be COATED and, therefore, has memory from the tension.

Just learned lots from this tutorial (below) from Dr. Bob @ Superior Threads. He says that COATED THREADS are not always labeled as coated and, in fact, is probably only labeled as COTTON and maybe even as MACHINE QUILTING!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiFq...-89KICucbZ74Zi

Wow! In my research on thread over the past few weeks I know many of you stated you were Aurifil and Superior users.

I have a feeling after watching the Dr. Bob youtube videos that I have found my life-long thread supplier: Superior!

[DramaMama]

Or ... curling because of this type of memory: wound too tight on the spool -- particularly a small diameter spool (like the Gutermann I used). No more Gutxrmann for me; I was not impressed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYY6...-89KICucbZ74Zi

[stitchwishes]

Oh I love Dr. Bob! But another video is what my mind immediately went to, where he shows the difference in how the spool is wound and whether it should be on a horizontal or vertical spool pin. I'm wondering if this simple change would make the difference for you because what you describe sounds like your thread is twisting.

Thread Delivery System

[Meghan Plamondon]

Drama mama, thank you for the links to Dr Bob, I had never seens his links and I learned a lot. On my sewing trip next weekend I think I will be coming home with some new needles! Thanks.

[Genny]

Thanks for the link to Dr Bob...I'm heading there to watch them right now.