Bad thread?
 

Is it possible to get a spool of thread that is just bad? I use C&C ....i know, I know..but ..all my machines love it. But I was piecing on my Kenmore yesterday with a new C&C spool and the thread just kept breaking. I tried everything...rethread, bobbin, new needle, etc...no luck. I'd stitch for 10 or 12 inches and it would break. Today it was doing the same thing. I finally pulled the spool off and put another spool of C&C on and its just humming along. Can you get a crummy spool? That just seems so strange to me, but that seems to be the case here

Yep, it sure can happen. I know....its hard to believe, but it happens. Glad all is well now :)

First off, there is NO SHAME in using C & C thread. It is all I use for piecing and sometimes FMQ. My great aunt who was my quilting inspiration only used C & C and I am sure that she made more than 1,000 quilts in her 93 years. My mother used it when she sewed clothes for me, my 2 sisters and 3 nieces.

Secondly, yes, you could have gotten a bad spool of thread. Often it is the result of how the thread has been stored before hitting the sales floor. I would take the spool back to where you purchased it and ask for a replacement or a refund.

I went thru the same thing this past week. Tried everything. Then I took the bobbin [plastic] out and rubbed around the edges. Sure enough it had a very small rough spot on it. That is all it was.

I use C&C thread , and lots of other brands . Is it an older thread? ... thread does loose its strenght over time.. do a break test against the spool you are not having trouble. Take about 12 inches of each and tug on each .. which breaks with the least stress?
It is always possible you got a bad spool with bad thread or a literally a bad spool , one with a burr on the edge so as it unwraps off its getting frayed as it rubs on the edge of the spool.

Hmmm. Your post sounds like you've been warned about C & C thread and then are surprised it's causing you problems. Hmmmm again.

If you can't return it, and yes I have had bad thread in high dollar thread so try putting it in the freezer. Sometimes it dries out and needs a shot. I've used C&C and have not had problems. I've used King Tut and had nothing but problems. Had a bad Star that thank goodness I could return. If you feel your machines like it, use it. It's all good :)

OH MY YES! My sister had given me a set of the filled white thread bobbins. She thought they were the wrong size for her machine and my old singer didn't have any trouble with them except the thread kept breaking. Drove me crazy so after a while I took it out and the thread was so easy to break you can't even use it for basting. You know the three strikes and your out - well, after finding all the bobbins had the same issue they became trash. I told my sister to not buy them again, and she said she thought it was her machine and that it made her feel better to find out it was just the thread.

even when you (just bought) a spool of thread- it can be 'OLD' stores don't always rotate their stock- what is new to you may have sat in a back room for years.
i have bought $15 specialty threads from shows only to get it home & find it to be (bad thread) if you can take a length of the thread between your 2 hands-give it a tug and it breaks---it's old, or has been stored improperly- is not any good for stitching...doesn't matter if it's C&C, YLI, Mettler...happens to them all- brand has nothing to do with it.
i've learned over the years- when i open a new spool of thread the first thing i do is a 'tug-test'- if it breaks i don't bother threading my machine with it- i already know it's going to cause problems- i mark it & use it for basting- or some other purpose that isn't going to matter- saves me alot of frustration.

Thanks everyone! Never even thought of the tug test...i sure will try it with every new spool. Good to know that occasionally a spool will just be a bummer!

I've heard about the quilt police..... but thread snobs??? Okay, there are some very expensive threads (that can also be bad from time to time) but to bad mouth C&C thread??? It was the go-to thread for so many years.... and I still use lots of it without a problem. I use all kinds of threads and find that if they are cotton, my machines like it....... if they are poly, my machines revolt! They don't read the labels.... they just sew.

And what exactly is this warning about C C thread? I seemed to have missed that message. I use CC all the time and the only time I have had an issue is when there was a burr on the spool. I keep an emery board to smooth down any burrs.

Please share the warning to enlighten us all.

There are not only quilt police and thread police but machine police. Really makes me laugh. I talked to a store owner that says they get batches of "bad" thread with all brands. If you have one, just throw it away. I use C C thread all the time and have had this problem but also the some with other brands.

I think it may be the machine that one is using. When I can't make things work right (have cleaned, rethreaded, redone everything!) and call my wonderful repairman, his first question is "What is your machine?" and his second question is "What thread are you using?" What works on a Baby Lock may not work on a Janome, etc. My machine will NOT let me use C&C, which is all my mother used on her Montgomery Ward machine for 30 years. My thread is expensive, but so is my peace of mind and time.

I grew up using C&C but that was when it was made in the US. It was smooth and quality thread. If you have old thread (really old, made in US), pull a few inches out and compare it to the newer thread. The new stuff is fuzzier and just not as nice. I still use it sometimes when the color is a great match, but I do prefer the smoother, higher quality threads. They don't leave as junk in my machines. Note that high cost do not always equal high quality. Look at the thread before you buy.

Pam

Well said :thumbup:

I was having problems with embroidery threads breaking contantly, and I was told to put the thread in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Threads lose moisture and that's why mine were breaking. You might want to throw the spool in the freezer and when you let it defrost,give it a try, it might work. And there is nothing wrong with C&C threads. they are a reputable company. Don't let the thread snobs get you down. In my opinion, for the price of new sewing machines, I think the machines should sew with any brand of thread. It's funny, my Mom's old White FR treadle sewing machine never balked at any thread Mom used. I think some of the new machines are way too fussy.