Thread Curls Up

[DramaMama]

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.

[Carlie Wolf]

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

[Granny Fran]

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.

[TamiLee]

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....

[klgls]

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

[Sylvia H]

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.

[bubba]

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

[auntiemern]

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

[Alpha O]

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.

[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.