Can you tell me what makes embroidery thread shred while the machine is embroidering a design? I was using Floriani on a light weight top; stabilizer was No Show Fusible, and new needle was 75/11

I have this problem a lot. I have a janome 300E The thread I have the most problem with is nearly every QA I use.I use the thread stand & it still happenes.Have changed needles,cleaned out bobbin case & tension but still have problems.What make & model is your machine?

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Debbie, I have a Brother Innovis 2500D. I have had this problem quite a bit, and it happens on all makes of threads. It's very frustrating, as you know!

Sometimes, I find if the thread shreds, it is one of my big spools that is on a thread stand, and it has started to twist around itself. Otherwise, the only time I have that problem, there is a piece of thread in the bobbin case. I have had on occasion to take it apart and dig a tiny thread out from the inside works behind the bobbin. It's an annoying problem and I hope you have figured out what is going wrong. ;)

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I try to clean my bobbin case every day, but I will pay more attention to it to make sure that I haven't left any tiny pieces of thread behind. Thank-you for you ideas.

only thing i can add is the thread some threads or colours of thread tend to break or shred eg i found QA black thread breaks easily than any of their other colours. It may also be where your reel of thread is as i have found if i put some colours onto a stand or behind the machine i dont get the shredding of the thread ( hint from a teacher in an embroidery class i went to ) so try a few different things and see how you go. best of luck :) * 3 u

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I love my thread stand, and usually the thread that shreds is not on the stand. This time is was, though. Thank for answering my question.

Everything has been said that could possibly fix the problem but bear n mind nothing is ever perfect & once in a blue moon it may b the thread itself that has an imperfection. If it is GET RIF OF THAT SPOOL! *4U AUNTBABA

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

That's good advice. Even though some threads are a bit pricey, I would rather pitch the spool than ruin my project. Thnak-you for your input.

All your answers are very interessant to read. I think that I am no more alone behind a problem

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I'm sure we are among good company with this problem. We will just have to try different things and try to fix it. Thank-you for commenting on my question.

So much useful advice. And here's my addition. Using a spray adhesive leaves residue on the needle which I have found to cause thread problems, so clean the needle now and again. And after shredding problems I pull a thicker cotton thread through the tension rings to remove any small threads that might have stuck somewhere.

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Thank-you for your helpful hints. I will try them.

I always change my needle after 8 hours of embroidery

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Being a novice to machine embroidery, I have been changing my needle frequently.
Thank-you for your advice.

So many things to take into consideration I think 'Oh that was lucky, everything was right THIS TIME I've got the hang of this machine embroidery.' Then. . . wham . . . it all goes wrong again!

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by elenu 05 May 2008

I have learnt a lot from the helpful answers given.

by auntbaba 05 May 2008

AMEN! I understand exactly what you are saying. Thank-you.

You have been given some great advise from others and all this does make a difference to your work.
But keep in mind when you are embroidering, your needle will only last about 6 to 10 hours before it becomes dull, so change them often. Have the right stabilizer for what you are doing. Have the correct needle, the most common needle for embroidery is a size 11 blue tip (Janome) this allows you to do dense work as well as light work. I have also found that using a Janome Red tip works well on heavier fabrics. Set machine to a slower speed, and release the tension slightly, this enable the thread to run though the tensions rings smoothly. Enjoy and good luck.

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by shirlener88 05 May 2008

Welcome katiemj, hope to hear more from you - in the future. *4U

by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Katiemj, I have a Brother machine. I don't know if it will take a Janome needle. I do change my needle frequently, and I try to select the proper stabilizer. I will try adjusting the tension and the spm speed as you suggested. Thank-you for your advice.

by katiemj 06 May 2008

auntbaba, yes a brother machine will take a Janome needle, as time goes along they are become more common parts between brands, 99% of machine take a common needle which is 15 X 1 /130/705H. Each manufacture using there own numbering system which are all the same. But be warned always check your needle type before purchasing, as some of the special machine today are using different types.
Good luck and try the Janome needles and be delighted.

I do wish you luck - everything that I would try - has been suggested - so I will give you a *

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Thank-you for your input. I want to be able to get the results from machine embroidery that you do! I'll keep working at it.

Your upper tension may be a little too tight too. I know it is confusing. Be sure to only try one change at a time so you know what the answer is and don't create a bigger problem by getting something else out of adjustment.

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I will try out your suggestion. Thank-you.

What weight is your thread? The hole in your needle may be too small. It's not allowing enough room and causing friction and shreading of your thread. You should be able to do a search and find needle chart showing needle to thread ratio. Like mention previously, slow the speed. Rapid speed can increase friction, too.

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I believe that Floriani embroidery thread is 40wt. I will try your sggestions. Thank-you.

I have this problem every time i use the "film" type WSS, as it seems to break away and start clogging the needle which then shreds and breaks the thread, to solve (pardon the pun) the problem i lessened the top thread tension and slowed the machine's speed to a crawl, so i could stop it (to remove the lumps) every time the stabiliser started lumping, very time consuming. Now i only use fabric type WSS, i love it and yes it washes clean away! hugs n roses, M

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I wasn't using WSS, But, when I do, I usually use the woven type. Thank-you.

All has been said I can think of.Good Luck!! warm hugs and a flower to all

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Thank-you for the hugs and flower. I need them both!

There are times when you need to slow the machine down and have it not stitch so fast. You will need to read manual to determine how to do this.

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

I will trying slowing it down a bit. Thank-you.

Anything I could think of is said, so all I can do is wish you the best with these and give you a flower. ><>

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Thank-you!

Auntbaba, sorry you have this problem. My first thought would be to check that the machine is threaded correctly, unthread *completely*, then rethread, both spool and bobbin. If that doesn't fix things, try a new needle, you just might have a dud. Check that fabric and stabiliser are hooped correctly. If you have any thread nets try one and see if that helps, the thread might be unwinding too quickly. Hope you get this sorted soon sweetie, hugs and a flower for you.

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Thank-you Ruthie. I will try your suggestions.

auntbaba, was the needle an embroidery needle? If not that could have been the problem. If it was an emb. needle my next thought is a dull or "burred" needle. I have found that one of the most important items to embroidery is a new needle - often. Hope this helps, and I am sure more "cuties" will have more thoughts. Good luck with this problem. *4U sue

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by auntbaba 05 May 2008

Yes, it was an embroidery needle. Thank-you for your input. I will make sure to check my needles for burrs.