Watson

For some reason my thread has begun breaking. I have quilted (FM) with this same set-up for some time with no problems and now I am having repeated breakage. It seems as if the thread is getting thinner and thinner until it breaks and the end of the thread is lumpy. (If that makes any sense.)

I've tried re-threading the machine, adjusting the foot pressure to be a bit heavier and taking the bobbin thread in and out. I haven't changed the needle yet because this is a titanium needle and it's pretty new, although it's worked fine for hours.

When it does sew, the tension is fine top and bottom. I've tried to pin it down as to whether it breaks when I'm going in one direction or another, but it doesn't seem to have any pattern to it.

I'm using King Tut, top and bottom.

Any help appreciated.

Watson

tessagin

Even though it's new it may be a bad needle. try another and see what happens.

amyjo

I would say that you need a new needle also. I find that when I change it out then it quits.

bearisgray

I am wondering if your needle is fraying your thread until it gets so thin that it breaks.

This sometimes happens with my "regular" sewing machine - I really don't know why it does - but I had it happen many times when I was trying to make bags out of upholstery type fabric.

Onebyone

Something is skinning your thread. Probably the needle.

Monika

What size needle are you using? I love King Tut and use it a lot, but my machine likes a BIG needle (like a 100/16) if I am FMQing with King Tut. Straight stitching with it is OK with the recommended 90/14.

Tartan

I had a bad experience with King Tut variegated shredding behind the needle. It needs a larger eye needle.

Dolphyngyrl

Could be a bad needle or a bad spool of thread. Even if you have used the type of thread before, bad batches do happen. So I would get a new spool and new needle and go from there

Patricia Drew

I would try larger eye needle, and maybe loosen top tension a little bit.

Peckish

Topstitch needles have a larger eye and longer scarf. The scarf of the needle is an indentation along the length of the needle, the thread sort of rests in this indentation as the needle moves up and down, in and out of the fabric. Because a topstitch needle has a longer scarf, there is less friction on the thread, which is reason #1 why topstitch needles are so highly recommended for quilting. Reason #2 is the larger eye.

I'm with the others, try a new needle, preferably a topstitch size 16.

Another issue I've had with shredding - make sure your thread path is clear, and that the thread isn't getting hung up somewhere.