keep breaking needles. It is getting quite expensive just to complete one design! What is happening and can I correct it? I am using a Brother PC-8500 and embroidery needles (I couldn't find any metallic) 75/11 and 90/14 It also says 130/705 H-E one the package. I'm not sure what all that means, but I am trying to give as much information as I can so you guys can help me. I need this help, and fast!!!!!

System 130/705 has to do with the thicknes of the needle shaft. H is Universal, H-E is embroidery, H-J jeans, H-S stretch, H-Q quilt, H-M microtex LL is for leather. If all tricks don't work it helps to have the thread hung horizontally so that it rolls as it unwinds, in that way no extra twists and crinkles form. Hope you have found a way by now. Success and good luck.

Yea! Thanks so much guys. While I was waiting for answers, I was also sewing. I tried the tip of moving the thread farther away, so I put it on my thread rack which is about a foot and a half behind my machine. It worked! I didn't break another needle! The thread broke a few times and I had to rethread the machine, but that is much preferable to a broken needle. I would still like the ideas coming though so I can have a few more tips 'in my (sewing)basket' for the next time.

Just as another question, what was making the needles break? I can understand the thread breaking because it needs to uncurl, but how does that effect the needle?

2 comments

by jrob 02 Oct 2008

the curling of the thread while it is IN the machine causes it to pull too much on the needle and they are designed to break under extra pressure so that they won't burn out the motor on your sewing machine. The packing peanut unwinds the thread before it gets in the path through your machine. Does that make sense?

by misscharlie 02 Oct 2008

Now that I saw your peanut picture it makes sense to me :)

Other than the other excellent suggestions, I have found if you slow the speed of your machine and if you are right there you can even handturn the machine at the problem areas where the amount of thread is more in that particular space. I'm told the reason for putting the thread farther from your machine is the thread needs to relax and untwist which reduces breakage. Larger needle eye with a very sharp point (brand new needle). These suggetions I have found from various sources. The quality of the thread (manufacturer) also makes a difference. The better the thread the less breakage. I hope this makes sense and helps you out.

Use the needle with the biggest eyehole you have, and get your thread far away from the machine. I put mine in a jar on my desk which is about 4 ft from my machine. This allows the thread to uncurl before it goes thru the threadpath. And JROB's peanut probably wouldn't hurt either. Hope this helps. *4 your effort.

Are you being sure to slow down your machine? I know with metallics they can knot therefore breaking the needle, also try the piece of styrofoam that jrob showed on her recent post. I usually break oodles of needles when I free motion quilt but it's because my timing is off. The only other time is if the speed is to fast for the thread. Hope this helps, if not somebody will come along that knows lots more than me.

I always use a metallic needle & have u tried jrobs tip using the packing peanut? that might will help u. I also do not put the metallic spool of thread on the machine I have another thread off to the side & i use it. In times past iwould let the thread feed off the spool hol my hand above machine with thread feeding over it also. I think the further the thread comes from to feed the better luck u have. but I would definitely try jrobs suggestion. *4u

Go get metalic needles....also Jrob gave a tip the other day to ALSO run the thread thru one of those packing peanuts with a sewing needle..:) Hope this helps..*2U

1 comment

by cordura5 02 Oct 2008

How do I find her post? Can somebody lead me to it?