Thread Curls Up

Have been reading a lot of articles and M* forum posts of late re: thread, but can't seem to find an answer that addresses my current issue.

So, riddle me this Batman:

New spool of "machine quilting thread" (I think it's Gutermann -- from JoAnn's display labeled "machine quilting"). When I pull it to catch and lift the bobbin thread and when pulling it through the needle to cut it with my built-in cutter on the machine, it curls up (from where it comes out of the needle to the end) -- similar to when you run a scissor down a ribbon to make it curl to put it on a gift.

Does anyone know why it is doing this?

Should I not be using thread labeled as "machine quilting" for piecing and/or free motion quilt topping?

Thanks for any advice. :icon_beuj:

Sorry I don't know. Interesting question though, how annoying is that???

DramaMama,, the only thing I can think of is the needle. Is it one that can handle the thread? I'm not so great on this issue, but I know that the needle eye can make a difference. When piecing I use Guttermann for almost all my quilting. I usually hand quilt so the quilting thread is for that. Machine quilting is new to me, but hoping to get into it more this year.

Hope you figure it out, I'd like to know for sure, too. And riddle me this? Wow, I remember when batman first came to TV.

Are you sure it's not for "hand quilting"? That has a special coating on it.

Other than that, I would agree about the needle; the eye may be too small, causing a curl like when putting pressure on ribbon.

Let us know how this turns out! Interesting question....

I agree with the above - make sure you are using a needle with a long groove and large eye.

Are you having any trouble piecing with the thread? I ask, because I have noticed my thread curling in the same way - sometimes. I am going to pay more attention to what thread I am using when this happens. However, I have not had any trouble with the piecing, and I am a bit fanatical about using the right needle with the thread I am using. Therefore, I don't think the curling I am experiencing is from the needle.

Aurifil does that too. I've always attributed it to how it comes off the spool.

Mine curls too. I think it has more to do with the auto threader than the thread.

What machine? I've got the Brother PQ1500 straight stitch and mine does that, too. There is a guide bar on the top that will give extra tension if threaded using two holes, and the machine manual shows it threaded that way. It seems to make lighter thread curl. If you only use one hole in the guide bar, thread doesn't curl. Doesn't matter which brand of thread anyway. I'd think it was tension somewhere. How do your stitches look? If they don't look even on both sides it might give you a clue as to where the tension problem is.

Article on how balanced stitches should look and another on how to test:
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...nsion/page/all
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/hes/fcs/FACTSHTS/CT-MMB-213.pdf

One for quilting:
How to Adjust and Troubleshoot Sewing Machine Tension

Mine look the same top and bottom, but one side looks like it toes out and the other side is straight. That one is puzzling.

If your thread curls, cutting the thread releases any tension and the thread comes out of the needle. Big pain.

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DramaMama

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.

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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

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.

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!

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Iris Girl

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

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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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

I noticed curling on my Connecting Threads thread when it's about 3/4 used from the spool. I didn't know if it would cause any issues so I put that spool aside and now only use it when I'm basting my hexagons for EPP. I am going to check out Bob's YouTube posts. I do love superior threads and will probably stick with them from now on. Hopefully they will have another special where the Try Me threads are 50% off.

That's pretty good. It explains the difference I've seen between cone and spool.

If you thread needs to feed from a vertical position, that's easy to correct. You can get a thread stand. Now what do you do if the thread is supposed to feed horizontally, and your machine feeds vertically? The Brother PQ1500 only has vertical holders. Other older machines only feed vertically.

Some of my problems are with Superior Thread spools. They seem to have a hitch at the bottom just before they reverse to go back to the top of the spool. I can feel it, and sometimes hear it. It could be a miniscule burr on the loop the thread goes through on the antenna. I can't feel anything and right now can't think of any way to magnify except grab my DSLR camera and put the Macro adapters on.

Tension on the thread and using a thread cutter will unthread the needle and the thread is usually curled.