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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

I always change my needle after 8 hours of embroidery

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.

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

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

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

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. ;)

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?