Does Your Sewing Thread Break? See Your Solutions

Sewing is fun. Sewing is creative. Sewing is actually pretty easy when all goes well, but when threads keep breaking; it can get frustrating.

Even technicians struggle with breaking threads sometimes. It does not seem to matter how much experience a person has. Sometimes threads break.

You can encounter thread breakage on cheap and on expensive machines. When the situation is right, threads break. The make, model, design, and purpose do not seem to matter. It seems that anyone who sews eventually faces thread that break.

How do you stop threads from breaking? What causes the problem?

There are two basic situations where threads will keep breaking: excessive stretch and pinching.

When you sew along and the threads snag on something or get caught, the threads pull apart. Tension issues, burrs, and other snags cause threads to break.

Threads may be pinched or even cut by rough spots, burrs, or other sharp parts of the sewing machine. Needles often develop burrs which can easily clip the thread cutting it. Sharp edges on the carrier, hook, guides, or anywhere can cut the thread.

Figuring out the causes of thread breakage can be a challenge, but the conditions generally end up being the result of thread pressure or pinching. Once identified steps can be taken to fix the problem.

You can take action step by step to fix the problem of breaking threads. Here are ten steps you can take.

Needles are often a cause of thread breakage due to burrs on the needle point. Get started by replacing the needle with the right needle.

Second, thoroughly inspect the upper thread line. Look for rough spots, rust spots, or any surface that might snag the thread. Better quality threads tend to perform better than poorer quality, older, or linty threads. Long fiber threads do better than spun fiber threads. Polyester does better than natural fibers.

Next, check the needle plate for abrasions, sharp edges, and needle pricks. Smooth or fix the needle plate or replace it.

Fourth, inspect the bobbin for sharp edges, improper thread wrappings, and proper selection. Never wind more than one thread on a bobbin. Loose ends can interfere and cause thread breakage. Often we find that the user is trying to use the wrong bobbin for the machine. It is essential that the bobbin match the make and model of the machine.

Fifth, inspect the carrier for rough surfaces, sharp edges, thread scores, cracks or breaks, or other issues that can interfere with the thread flow. Carriers frequently wear in ways that require their replacement or repair.

Sixth, inspect the hook for burrs on the point and other scars or wear marks that can affect snag or disrupt the proper thread flow.

Seventh, inspect the race for potential snags and lubricant. Occasionally, the race becomes overly dry and requires a drop of pure clean sewing machine oil. Sometimes, neglect leads to stickiness that must be cleaned away and relubricated.

When tensions are too tight, threads can snap. When the tensions are too loose, the thread can get caught on other parts and end up breaking as well. Therefore it is vital that the bobbin tension and upper tension both be checked and adjusted.

Even when the individual parts are in good condition, problems may erupt unless the hook needle timing and clearance are properly set. Listen for a ping. The point of the needle may strike the needle if the clearance is too narrow. Other problems can affect the stitches and thread unless these are properly adjusted.

Feed dogs may pull the fabric and thread in problematic ways unless properly set for timing, movement, and feed dog height.

Careful inspection, problem solving, and trial and error may be necessary to fine tune the sewing machine operations to prevent thread breakage.