My Thread Keeps Breaking
                                                                                                                                              






Your upper thread is breaking:


Rethread your machine

    An incorrectly threaded machine can cause thread to break.


Decrease the tension on your machine

    The tension may be too tight for your thread.


Reposition the spool of thread on the spindle

    You know that little nick in the edge of a spool that’s used to hold the loose end of the thread?
    Your thread may be catching on this nick as you sew. Place your spool so that this nick rests
    against the bottom of the spindle.


Reinsert your needle

    Make sure it goes all the way into the holder and that it’s positioned correctly, usually with the
    flat side away from the bobbin, but consult your machine’s manual to be sure.


Change your needle

    Your needle may be bent or dull. The eye of your needle may have a nick in it that’s cutting the
    thread as you sew. Or the eye of your needle may be too small for your thread, in which case,
    change to a larger needle. And make sure your needle is appropriate for the weight and type of
    your fabric.


Change your thread

    Your thread may be weak. Or your thread may be fuzzy and irregular, causing it to catch in the
    eye of your needle as you sew. Cheap thread tends to be weak and fuzzy, so make sure to
    use a quality, brand name thread. And if you’ve been sewing with an older cotton thread, which
    can dry out and become brittle with age, try a newer thread.


Check your presser foot for damage to the needle hole

    A burr in your presser foot’s needle hole may be cutting your thread. Gently smooth any rough
    spot you find with an emery cloth.


Also...

    There may be a burr in one of your thread guides, in which case, you may need to have your
    machine professionally serviced to have the part replaced.


Your lower thread is breaking:


Reinsert your bobbin

    Your bobbin may not be seated properly in its case.


Rethread your bobbin

    Your bobbin may be threaded incorrectly or the thread may be tangled.


Remove some of the thread from your bobbin

    If your bobbin is very full (if it’s hard to insert into the case, it’s too full), this may be keeping
    your bobbin from turning smoothly.


Rewind your bobbin thread

    If your bobbin thread is wound unevenly, this may be keeping your bobbin from turning
    smoothly.


Try a new bobbin

    There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you
    sew.


Clean the lint from your bobbin case

    Lint in your bobbin case could be keeping your bobbin from working properly.


Check the needle hole in your throat plate for rough spots

    A burr in the needle hole of your throat plate (usually caused by the needle hitting the throat
    plate) could be cutting your thread. Gently smooth any rough spot you find with an emery cloth.






Still having problems?


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