I had problems with my top thread breaking. I slowed it down to it's lowest speed and the thread still broke. I took it to be fixed. I just got it back and the thread is still breaking even though the service guy assures me it is fixed. I did slow it down again to 350 and then it didn't break. I just don't like having the design taking twice as long to stitch out.

Just another response to your thread breakage problems, don't try and stitch too many designs without frequent needle changes. And sometimes you may need to use a different size needle for the thread, design, fabric, etc.

For eg. if I am using good quality thread in my Elna and it starts to break, I KNOW it is time for a NEW needle. it prefers 75/11

If the same thing happens with the Diamond it usually requires a different SIZE needle or top tension decrease. it prefers 90/14
HNR, M

Having an Elna XQ2, that will sew just about anything perfectly (even the wrong side of the fabric), at high speed, I will still slow my speed down when stitching out FSL because these designs are, by necessity, much more dense.

I find the extra time it takes is much less frustrating than having to continually re-thread the machine when the thread keeps breaking, usually only if I am using up the cheaper (but beautifully shiny) Dragon brand threads, which are prone to shredding at high speed.

You wouldn't run your car continually at 190mph, just because it can do it, you would soon burn out your motor.

Neither should you continually run your, much smaller machine motor, at its top speed. The friction and heat, caused by doing such, can cause metals to stress and warp and eventually fracture.

Also, more thread breakages are caused by the needle heating up, generated by friction, at high speeds.

Conversely, you should not let your machine "labour" by running it at constantly low speeds, that is the equivalent of driving a car and never taking it out of first gear, very bad for any motor.

It is all a matter of common sense and listening to the sounds of your machine.
Getting to know "how" it should sound is your best defence for avoiding disasters before they happen.

Some machines have automatic speed control, as well as two or three different "set" speeds.
You can safely set it to the slowest "set" speed, knowing that it will automatically speed up and slow down, within the "set" speed limit anyway.
This speed is best for FSL and any dense designs.

You can easily reset your "SET" speed to a higher speed for stitching out less dense designs, red work and colour work. And you can choose your Highest SET speed for when you are sewing, rather than embroidering.

It's all a matter of choosing what is right for your machine, your design, y thread, y fabric, y needle, y stabiliser etc.
The time it takes to stitch a design should not be governed by how much time you have to spare to do it, but rather by how long the machine will take to stitch it out comfortably without causing undue strain on your valuable machine.

All of this is only my own opinions based on 50+ years of machine sewing, domestically and professionally, full-time and part-time and having a 42 year old machine that has NEVER had a repair or even a service, other than being well looked after and serviced by me. Also first hubby and I had a white goods repair business for 17 years so I am mechanically minded, by necessity as well as interest. (yes I can change a tyre and service my car too LOLOL!)

And these embroidery machines are far less sturdy than the old mechanical machines.

I hope this info will be fodder for thought.
hugs n roses, Meganne

can the janome 300e be slowed down?

3 comments

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

I don't have that machine, check your manual or google the question. Or better yet ask here in the forum. Does anyone own a Janome 300 can they give me instructions how to slow the spped down?

by nonna57 25 Mar 2010

Yes it can. press mode on your screen, then set. This will take you to some arrows press twice. That will bring up your speed. We have 3 speeds. Your manuel will explain it for you ")

by undecided 26 Mar 2010

oh, didn't see it in the manual, but I am going to look now...

thank you :)

Great question!! I have read all the replies and i'm glad i did. I have my machine set on the highest speen and i had never thought about the speed being a factor. But now i know it is. Thanks to all you cuties.

2 comments

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

glad I was able to help you for a change S&S

by smithandsmith 25 Mar 2010

:) thanks psssst I'm not one to take my time at anything but its nice to know, i wouldn't want to cause any harm to my machine,

I always slow mine down when doing FSL. Actually I have my machine mostly on the low setting. It might be my own insecurity why I do this. Being retired I am not in a hurry. The thread breaking maybe a different issue.

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

I will keep playing with it for a week or 2 and if it keeps giving probs it is going back in again while the warranty is new.

I run my machine on the slowest speed all the time. The few extra minutes it takes is worth it. If you are having thread breaks, it could be your needle, or your tension is set too high. Also if you use a thread stand that is set further from your machine, and at the back of it....the thread has further to travel, and will work out "kinks" before they get to the tension. A thread stand also helps with the thread not getting caught on the spool, or wound around the spool pin. Hope this helps.

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

ty I will use the thread stand and set it further away

Hello, I have had this problem during several months. I have send it to repair 2 times, now it is better. I have noted that my machine prefer some brand of thread than others, and also, when I have a mistake with the thread, I must put a new needle.Since some days, I have buy needles whith large eye, and the thread does not breaks at all if I use this needle and the brands of thread that my machine like! Those needles are also more convenient for my eyes, and I change them less often. My machine is husqvarna designer1, What machine do you have? it is better also when I use prewound bobbins, instead of those that I made myself, I think that the tension is more regular. I use also now always basting stitches around the design, so the fabric is better fixed with the stabilizer. I hope it can help you.Hugs.
Claude

2 comments

by celticlady1031 25 Mar 2010

I slow mine down when doing FSL, using metallic thread or very dense designs.

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

ty for the help I will try it

I slow my machine down one notch for just about everything and two notches when using metallic. Try a different spool of thread and change needle if thread is breaking. see if that helps. I would not mess with the tension if you just got it out of the shop.

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

no notches here just 850 600 or 350

I slow down the machine for quality stitching. Sometimes it stops the material from puckering. At a fast speed, the needle just pushes the material too hard in dense designs and causes it to pucker. When slower, it looks great

2 comments

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

thanks will remember that

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

thanks will remember that

I only slow it down in special cases like FSL. but it's also possible the tension of the upperthread is too tight ot the thread is old. perhaps you can try it out by loosening the tension or use other thread and see what happens

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

ty gerry

I slow down the machine like the other cuties have advised, when doing, FSL, when I use metalic thread, and for the out lines on a design and also when doing small letters/fonts in a design.
I also feel that you get a better end result.It only takes a little while longer to stitch out. - Hugs Yvonne

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

ty castelyn

For metalic thread it is to me necessary to slow down. Mostly it will than embroider beautiful instead of breaking or threading

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

thanks edith

I slow down my machine when stitching FSL because it gives a better finish & less likely to have thread breaks,
I used to have a lot of top thread breaking moments until I changed my thread type - I use Janome or maderia threads now & never have any problems Also depending on the density of the design you have to adjust the tension slightly
Hugs Karma

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

I haven't even attempted FSL with this machine yet.

Sometimes the needle needs changing, stabilizer is breaking up, needle is gummed up from adhesive, I put a small amoumt of oil on my finger and rub it on the needle, seems to help. I slow mine down when it starts to sew a satin stitch outline, seems to do better quality.

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

I will try everything I hate to take it in again and be without for another 3 weeks :(

My machines (Baby Lock Ellisimo and Brother PR-620) will stitch 1,000 stitches per minute (spm). I have found that lowering the speed help thread not to fray or break (especially when using rayon). I usually stitch on 600 or 700. :-) teri

2 comments

by simplyrosie 25 Mar 2010

You may want to try a different brand of thread (or even a different spool). Some spools I have gotten just royally stink! I have tossed them and went on to another brand. Hope this helps.

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

Before taking it to be fixed I tried 6 different brands of thread. Since I got it back only 2 but they both broke and the designs weren't that dense.

Some of the newer machines have the option of slowing down when doing EMB, unfortunately mine does not. My machine is about 6 yrs old I guess and it will not let you slow down while doing embroidery. But will for regular sewing. I have not tried the bees wax on the needle but I may have to try it. Thanks for the tip. There are many Cute members with more experience than myself so wait and read and I am sure you will get some good advice. Sara

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

I just think that if it was made to do the job then it should do it and it isn't :(

I was having this trouble with a particular thread/design and solved it by running a beeswax candle over the eye of the needle (after checking tensions etc.) and it solved it. I did need to reapply---and maybe it was my positive thinking that made it work ;) good luck :)

2 comments

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

hmmm where does one find beeswax candles?

by gerryb 25 Mar 2010

Usually in the candle dept. of Hobby Hobby, any craft supply store, or at a candle store. Try the others before going to a candle store. Actually be on the look out anywhere they sell candles! it should say 100% beeswax.

Not all machines can be sewing on a lower speed, but it's great to slow down when using metallic or thread that's breaking at a high speed. There's a lot of friction between the thread and the needle and a slower speed does wonders, as you noticed yourself. And it's still sooo much faster than by hand...

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

very true much faster than by hand

No it doesn't defeat the purpose of having a machine!
Small designs, letters and words, outlines, FSL and those with a lot of colour changes all stitch much nicer on a slow speed.
Wouldn't you rather have a design that took a little longer to stitch out and looks great, rather then having done one in half the time and it look awful?!
It is also a lot easier on your machine, rather then making it work full pelt all the time.

1 comment

by psssst 25 Mar 2010

hahaha I didn't mean it in that way I just meant if it was made to go 1000 then why should I always have to sew at 350. I haven't been able to get it to stitch at full speed since day one. Yes I would rather have the design turn out nice, but I still think there is something wrong with the machine.