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463429
by sewmom 25 Apr 2012 ( edited Apr 26'12 12:39 )
+44

I'm doing a lot of small lettering and to keep the bobbin thread from showing through I reduced my tension. This works but my Brother ULT 2003D keeps stopping me and telling me to check my thread. I just hit start again and it's fine but I'm literally stopping over 50 times. Any suggestions to fool my machine into thinking everything is ok?

Comments (12)
33451
by marjialexa 25 Apr 2012
+8
Oy, got Valium? That would drive me nuts! Hope somebody with a Brother can give you better help, but I think I'd just put the same color thread in the bobbin as the needle and not worry about it. Or maybe increase bobbin tension instead of decreasing thread tension? I have a Janome 300E, and never had this problem with bobbin thread even on very small stuff. Also, I don't have any "bells & whistles" on the machine to tell me something's supposedly "wrong", so it peacefully sews and sews, even with no bobbin thread at all....I could sort of wish it would at least tell me that I'm out, completely out, and have sewed half a design with no thread....... Hope you get better help that this, good luck & hugs, Marji
4 comments
by sewmom 25 Apr 2012
LOL! Valium makes me sick. How about a drink, then I won't care. This machine has always done this for small lettering. Just thought I'd see if anyone has figured out a fix yet. It also says its almost out of bobbin thread when it's about half full. Just one of those bugs Brother does. On the bright side it makes me babysit the design so I'll catch any problems early.
by sewmom 25 Apr 2012
Just one of those bugs Brother has. On the bright side it makes me babysit the design so I can catch problems early.
by hightechgrammy 26 Apr 2012
This kitty looks just like my friend's kitty, Higgins, who is a scottish fold!
by noah 26 Apr 2012
Good answer Marj. My sister has some valium i could send ya some lol hugs
115778
by asterixsew 25 Apr 2012
+8
I have found over a number of years that sometimes the thread and designs similar to the one you mentioned that one does keep stopping. Its a nusance. Sometimes a whole rethread top and bottom produces the result, sometimes it works the next day. Good Luck and happy sewing
1 comment
by marjialexa 26 Apr 2012
"The next day"? Thought only I had various equipment that understood phases of moon, time, etc. "Mindless metal" indeed, ha! M
33350
by baydreamer 25 Apr 2012
+7
Don't change the tension, use the same thread as the top thread. Are you using prewound bobbins, if so some machines have a counter weight for them.
2 comments
by sewmom 25 Apr 2012
Yes, prewound bobbins. I haven't heard of a counter weight.
by sewmom 25 Apr 2012
I don't want to use the same thread just to hide the bobbin that comes up because somtimes it just doesn't look right. I want the bobbin thread to stay below.
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by vickiannette 26 Apr 2012
+8
leave the door of your bobbin hatch open, then the little red sensor light won't be able to tell your machine to stop.
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by hightechgrammy 26 Apr 2012
+6
Hi sewmom, I have the same machine. When it gives me this kind of problems, it's usually something out of balance. I check new needle, size 11, I'd guess. Or, maybe a teeny tiny bit of thread caught up top. There is something tiny wrong, I would guess. When my machine is all tuned up there is no problem with the bobbin thread coming through to show on the top at all.
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by nanabs 26 Apr 2012
+5
I have the ULT 2003 Brother also and have never changed my tension no matter what I embroider large or small letters. I'm thinking your tension is too tight. Maybe move it up just one and see how that works. I use prewound bobbins also the L's in plastic. Also I don't have to use a counter weight. If you are using a size 11 needle you might try the 14. 11 needles fray my threads no matter what kind I use. Just a thought. Good luck.
3 comments
by nanabs 26 Apr 2012
OPPS wanted to ask if you tried sewing without reducing the tension first? If not then maybe you should try putting the tension back where it was and try sewing to see if it comes thru before you change the tension. If it doesn't come thru then you didn't need to change tension.
by nanabs 26 Apr 2012
not need to change tension. Sorry I got cut off...
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
I am using an 11 needle, I don't have a fray problem. I did a long time ago with a particular brand of thread.
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by fannyfurkin 26 Apr 2012
+4
I would be increasing the bobbin tension.
463429
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
+2
Yes, I have tried stitching small lettering before reducing the tension. Since this is an ongoing problem I have done it with many different fonts, fabrics, and trials over the years. I only know of one tension adjustment on my computerized screen. I have not tried any manual adjustments. The normal tension is 4.0. In this particular case I tried 3.8 which didn't work so I went to 3.6 and that looks very good.
2 comments
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
I actually just finished stitching and trimming. Will try to block and frame it tomorrow. Not sure if I should post it since I added hidden Mickey's to someone else's design which is probably not really OK.
by dragonflyer 27 Apr 2012
Not sure why it wouldn't be okay...lots of people combine lots of copyrighted designed together to make their own "masterpiece"...am I missing something?
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by eggyannie 26 Apr 2012
+3
why not simply match the bobbin thread to the top thread , problem solved
1 comment
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
Because if the bobbin thread comes up and over a lot the stitching won't look smooth and pretty even if it's the same color. I do that for some things but not these type of gifts.
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by awesome1 26 Apr 2012
+2
Sewmom, look at Ann's site. I have the same ULT, and she shows step by step how to keep the bearing on top clean of thread bits..that might be why it tells you to check. And the laser lite reading the bobbin may have lint blocking. She shows you how to adjust for "early" warning. I just did it to both mine & they're wonderfully better!
http://www.annsultfixit.com/UltFixit.html manual for fixing problems in the ULT 2003
1 comment
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
I will check that. Thank you.
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by bevgrift 26 Apr 2012
+2
the size 11 needle could be causing the top thread to come through a little tight.
Needles for embroidery have a larger eye ???
I use 'embroidery' needles and they do have some diff sizes but the eye is always a little larger.
The top tension is the one to fiddle with and very rarely does the bottom need adjusting.
Happy Stitching
1 comment
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
It's a Schmetz embroidery needle.
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by airyfairy 26 Apr 2012
+2
Ever since I changed to prewound bobbins I have never had a problem. Before I used the same thread in my bobbin. Hope you come right. Sarah.
1 comment
by sewmom 26 Apr 2012
I use prewound too but I've tried it both ways. Thank you.