Originally Posted by Candace
Follow your dealer's instructions, not what people here say. Your dealer is going to be the one honoring (or not) your warranty on the machine. Any newer computerized sewing machine owner will be told NOT to pull the thread out backwards. And I surely wouldn't tell you otherwise and risk the longevity of your machine.
I have the new 830 and this is what my dealer told me. (He is a master technician of the 830 and helped design and test it.)
You're not supposed to pull it backwards because there is a sensor up there that has a flap sort of thingy that goes in one direction. But with a very slow, even motion you can remove the thread without causing any damage.
The educators always tell you not to because most people are just gonna yank the heck out of the thread, and if the thread loops around the sensor up there and you're pulling too fast or to tightly on the thread, you're going to bend the flap.
An ocasional backwards pull will be fine but don't make it a habit.