have a friend trying to use metallic thread on her gammill machine she turned her tension but it keeps threading, she is using a 110/18 needle anyone have any ideas what she could do to make it work?

She can also put the thread spool on the floor and thread it normally from there. It gives the thread more time to cool down. It has worked for others. Hope something works soon for her.

I just did a search and came up with this for her posting incase someone else could use the info

Home › Using Rainbows on My Gammill | Use Decorative Threads on Longarm Quilting Machines
By loosening the preset tension settings, longarm machines can much better accommodate decorative threads. If you use a Gammill longarm machine, here are some simple and quick adjustments which will allow you to successfully use decorative, metallic, and sensitive threads:

1. Loosen the bobbin tension to the point where the thread can be pulled up out of the bobbin with almost no tension. Holding the bobbin case in your left hand, pull up the thread with your right hand. The bobbin case should not lift up at all.

2. Skip the intermittent tensioner.

3. On the secondary tensioner (rotary tensioner), don't wrap the thread all the way around in a 360-degree loop. Just do the half-loop under.

4. Increase the needle size to an 18.

5. Slow down until you get the tension set just right.

The first three steps reduce the tension enough to run most decorative and specialty threads, including Metallics. If the tension becomes too loose, go back and use the first tensioner. Remember to keep some slack in the quilt fabrics. They do not need to be drum tight.

I read some where to have your metallic thread on a vertical thread holder. I have tried it this way and it works. I have also put it in a glass candle holder (empty) and placed it behind my machine and then thread it as usual, I have had no problem with either way. :0) Good luck!

Do they have something like Metallica or Metafile needles for the Gammills? I think they have a bigger eye and sharp point, I use them on my regular embroidery when using the metallic thread.

Jerrilyn's idea works very well give it a try...

1 comment

by michele921 24 Oct 2012

I am letting her know thank you

This is how I do it: Thread your metallic thread with a sewing needle through a packing peanut. It keeps the thread from twisting up and breaking. Some folks turn the speed down, but I've found I don't need to with this method.

1 images:[1]

5 comments

by cfidl 24 Oct 2012

very Cool! I can do that!

by raels011 24 Oct 2012

I put my thread on a stand away from the machine

by michele921 24 Oct 2012

thanks telling her now, and now maybe I will try metallic have stayed away from it hearing all the problems people have with it

by stidiford58 25 Oct 2012

I have tried everything in the past & the noodle is perfect. No snapping of thread, not one stop, nothing!

by dragonflyer 11 Nov 2012

I need to try this...thanks for the picture for those like me who have heard of using a packing peanut, but did not understand just how it was done...