Originally Posted by
elnan
The only thing I would add to Miriam's advice is "Don't try to use brute force to pull the project with the thread jam out of the machine. A gentle rocking back and forth as you keep tension on an end of the thread often helps. Gentle rocking does not mean take another stitch."
I completely agree! Some of the machines too (Pfaffs are a notable one) if you're rough pulling the work and nest out, you can bend/mis-adjust the retaining finger bracket and then it's prone to "inexplicable" nests because the thread can't clear the bracket when making a revolution. That's probably most true for post 80s machines of theirs but there are other brands that use a similar set up.
Originally Posted by
miriam
There is nothing worse than a thread jam on an industrial sewing machine. I learned a lot about repairs just from making thread jam....
I suppose if I bought one of those high end plastic wonder computer sewing machines it would never make thread jam... Well if you spend a boat load of money it shouldn't right?
Oh yeah! Thread jam at warp speed!
I also find when turning the handwheel up to the top of the stroke means that the thread is less likely to yank out of the needle causing you to sew for several inches without thread. Now if I could just remember that consistently. I teach it but I can't remember it when I sew on my own.
High end machines still make thread jams. If the tension is set to something in particular for a particular stitch it's -less- likely but if it's mis-threaded or the thread slips out of somewhere - take up lever on some of the early Pfaff QE 4.0s for instance, or out of the tensioner) - there's still a mess and on top of it, the high end machines will b*tch at you until you make it just to their liking.
I find myself sometimes when servicing one of the new machines muttering "shut up shut up shut UP!" with all the dings and messages and other things. Maybe I like to put my presser foot lever down after I thread through the tension disks for better clearance on the needle and to make sure the thread stays in place. What's it to you!?!? I also like to put my seatbelt on after I start the car!