Why does my needle break?
#1
Every time I try free motion quilting with my ancient machine (Singer Futura II that I got in '76!) my needle breaks. I can't adjust tension in the bobbin, but I can in the top and it doesn't seem to help. In fact, the only thing that seems to do is mess up the sewing that I do manage to get before the needle breaks.
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,039
Originally Posted by AZTeri
Every time I try free motion quilting with my ancient machine (Singer Futura II that I got in '76!) my needle breaks. I can't adjust tension in the bobbin, but I can in the top and it doesn't seem to help. In fact, the only thing that seems to do is mess up the sewing that I do manage to get before the needle breaks.
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
Hi Teri - have you dropped your feed dogs? It may just be that you are moving the quilting too fast and putting too much tension on the needle. Also are you using a darning foot or free motion quilting foot? if you are trying to use a regular foot, it could be the needle hitting the foot.
#5
Originally Posted by suebee
Originally Posted by AZTeri
Every time I try free motion quilting with my ancient machine (Singer Futura II that I got in '76!) my needle breaks. I can't adjust tension in the bobbin, but I can in the top and it doesn't seem to help. In fact, the only thing that seems to do is mess up the sewing that I do manage to get before the needle breaks.
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
Hi Teri - have you dropped your feed dogs? It may just be that you are moving the quilting too fast and putting too much tension on the needle. Also are you using a darning foot or free motion quilting foot? if you are trying to use a regular foot, it could be the needle hitting the foot.
#6
I took some lessons on my new/used machine last year and one of the things she suggested is to get titanium needles. She says they're much stronger. You can get them at a LQS or online at several places. They probably won't break on you. Good luck. :thumbup:
#7
Originally Posted by suebee
Originally Posted by AZTeri
Every time I try free motion quilting with my ancient machine (Singer Futura II that I got in '76!) my needle breaks. I can't adjust tension in the bobbin, but I can in the top and it doesn't seem to help. In fact, the only thing that seems to do is mess up the sewing that I do manage to get before the needle breaks.
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
Hi Teri - have you dropped your feed dogs? It may just be that you are moving the quilting too fast and putting too much tension on the needle. Also are you using a darning foot or free motion quilting foot? if you are trying to use a regular foot, it could be the needle hitting the foot.
#8
I use a cover plate to cover my feed dogs, and no foot. I just looked and I do have a foot I've never used that I don't recognize, I wonder if that's what it is?
If you look at a free motion or darning foot you will see it has a spring on the shank. That is to keep the fabric from popping up and down. You can also get free motion needles with a spring on the shank. You need that spring. Go on line and look at what a free motion foot or darning foot looks like and then get one of them. You need it. You are putting too much tension on your needle with out it and that is why it is breaking. The needle hangs up on the uptake and if you have any speed at all the needle is bent and therefor snaps. I recommend Clotilde's catalog or Nancy's notions. They are not that expensive if you have low shank feet, if you have a Bernina you can get an inexpensive adapter for a low shank foot.
If you look at a free motion or darning foot you will see it has a spring on the shank. That is to keep the fabric from popping up and down. You can also get free motion needles with a spring on the shank. You need that spring. Go on line and look at what a free motion foot or darning foot looks like and then get one of them. You need it. You are putting too much tension on your needle with out it and that is why it is breaking. The needle hangs up on the uptake and if you have any speed at all the needle is bent and therefor snaps. I recommend Clotilde's catalog or Nancy's notions. They are not that expensive if you have low shank feet, if you have a Bernina you can get an inexpensive adapter for a low shank foot.
#9
Generally I recommend sewing with a foot for a couple of reasons. Including making it harder to hit your fingers.
The odds are that you are moving the fabric to fast for the speed you are going. If you watch you machine when you sew it sort of pauses when the needle is going in and out of the fabric. The fabric moves while the needle is in the up position. The force of the fabric will pull the needle. Ifat the right time it will bend it enough to hit the plate. And or it can bend it. Either way. Bent or broken it won't work.check your plate. The odds are you will have marks on it.
Solution, go faster with the machine and go slower with the fabric.
The odds are that you are moving the fabric to fast for the speed you are going. If you watch you machine when you sew it sort of pauses when the needle is going in and out of the fabric. The fabric moves while the needle is in the up position. The force of the fabric will pull the needle. Ifat the right time it will bend it enough to hit the plate. And or it can bend it. Either way. Bent or broken it won't work.check your plate. The odds are you will have marks on it.
Solution, go faster with the machine and go slower with the fabric.
#10
Originally Posted by AZTeri
Originally Posted by suebee
Originally Posted by AZTeri
Every time I try free motion quilting with my ancient machine (Singer Futura II that I got in '76!) my needle breaks. I can't adjust tension in the bobbin, but I can in the top and it doesn't seem to help. In fact, the only thing that seems to do is mess up the sewing that I do manage to get before the needle breaks.
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
I have no problems with regular sewing. I really want to figure this out, since a new machine is not in the budget this year. This one has served me faithfully, and been a real work horse. I plan on taking it in for servicing while I go on a vacation next month, but if anyone has any suggestions in the mean time, I'd appreciate it!
Hi Teri - have you dropped your feed dogs? It may just be that you are moving the quilting too fast and putting too much tension on the needle. Also are you using a darning foot or free motion quilting foot? if you are trying to use a regular foot, it could be the needle hitting the foot.
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