I have some madeira metallic threads and for some reason they keep breaking when stitching out lace. My tension was set on +2, so I changed it to 0, no luck... changed it to +4 and it seems to be working. I've never had to change the tension before for metallics... what do you girls do?

Meganne, I have a Baby Lock Ellageo and I have used Madeira metallic with it. It is a bit tricky. I slowed my stitching speed down as slow as it would go and loosend my upper thread tension from 4 t 2.6 I also used a Schmetz embroidery needle made specifically for metallic thread (larger eye). Metallic threads are the trickiest to sew with as they are not really thread and therefore behave differently. Each brand varies in how it works some are better than others but so far I have found they all take more prep and practice stitch outs than regular threads. But they do look great when done.

got your answer so I will give flowers to all

I have a Brother 190D, it has only one speed and does not like metallic thread at all. On my Designer one I have to take all sorts of precautions - take a heavy metal needle, lower the tension quite a bit, be careful how I place the thread cone and set the speed as low as possible. And I have a 4-needle machine, Melco EP-4, that seems to love metallic and hums along at top speed with an all purpose needle.

try different brands of metallic threads. My Brother prefers some brands over other - I just have to try a couple to see which one works better. :)

I never have to change my tension, just slow down the speed

My Brother 750D has two speeds, and I set it to the slowest one for metallic, but the annoying thing is it speeds up and down autmatically on its own so it is way too fast to successfully sew Metallic or even FSL.
I have tried the other machine and found it worked better for metallic if I kept the thread spool horizontal and as close as possible (or preferably on the machine itself not on a thread stand), with a packing bead, thread net, metallic needle and reduced tension.
WHo said machine embroidery is easy, you need to be a walking encyclopaedia. LOL!!!
HUgs n love, M

Teri, so sorry that you are having trouble with the tension with your metallice threads - I have never had to make an adjustment with any of mine. Looking forward to seeing what you made, soon. *4U

Try a metallic thread needle and reduce machine to slowest speed and reduce tension to quote my closet Cutie friend who was told by the shop we got out machines from. It works for her.

I can't really help. I have a Brother and had so much trouble the first time I tried metallic that I haven't been brave enough to try again. I'll be watching your answers.

1 comment

by shadoe 26 Jul 2009

Me to it turned out to be more trouble then it was worth.All I did was rethread,and rethread I have a brothers and did all I was told to do.Not fun (HA)Shadoe

I don't have a Brother but a Pfaff Creative Vision and I used Metallic thread for the first time this week. I didn't change the tension, I used a special metalic needle and the tric that jrob learned us with the styrophor peace on the machine, I used the thread to make some Xmas cards.

I have a Janome, but here's my input. Generally I tighten the top tension a small amount to minimize the amount of metalic thread that appears on the back of the project. However, it depends on the brand of thread and how much is being embroidered, so a test stitchout is always the safest thing to do.