Hi I am new to the site and joined it in desperation to find out why my Pfaff Grand Quilter keeps breaking the thread no matter what I do. I have quilted one baby quilt on it (I am using it on the long arm frame, Inspiron I think it is) and it kept breaking the thread but it finally worked when I changed the needles that came with it for a 90/14. Now I have a big quilt on there and ready and excited to go and instead it's two days of fighting with it as the thread breaks every five minutes or so. It sews beautifully and then the thread breaks. Like some of the quilters I have read about, I am ready to throw it out the window. I have not used it without the long arm frame as I bought it specifically to use with the frame so I don't need it to work on a table, I need it to work with the frame. Can anyone help with suggestions. I can't find the book and hope I am threading it right and maybe it needs oiling but I don't know where as I can't find the book. I checked out the internet to find instructions for those but so far the internet is like a bad road map and I haven't been able to find any instruction book that I can just read online. Help!

Welcome, waving from central Indiana, USA

Welcome from IN. Sorry, But I can't help you.

Not a LA user... but that sounds like a tension issue to me...

I have a Baby Lock that does that occasionally. I open it up and usually find tons of lint inside. I also will loosen the tension a little. Check the top of the bobbin carrier for a burr...a little rough spot. Check the tension on your bobbin carrier as well. Sometimes over time it can work tighter or looser.

There are lots of things that can cause it. What weight thread are you using? I have to use better quality thread that will withstand the high speed of the quilting machine. I just had to change thread on a quilt I just finished...the quilting thread I started with wouldn't stay together...it kept breaking. I changed to heavier YLI thread and it worked fine..not one breakage.

Welcome, I hope things go better with your machine. I don't have the same machine as you but I think most LA machines need to use a heavier weight thread. I use 40 weight and the needle I use is 18. Your needle eye may be too small for the speed the thread goes and be cutting the thread. I've also found that less tension on the bobbin helps. Try one thing at a time and see what works--if you try them all at once you won't know what actually helped. Good luck with your machine--LA quilting is fun when things go right.

Welcome from Kansas

Practice, Practice, Practice.
I tried everything with mine and ended up just sewing a little slower and staying on it. Eventually you will find the right speed that works for you.

Good luck,
Bettia

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

Welcome from Ireland. Go to Search at top of this page and type in Pfaff Grand Quilter. There are lots of posts and you may get help there

thanks for all the suggestions, will try them all one at a time and see what works. it is so much fun to use when it is working and I was so excited to quilt this big quilt today but now am taking a break until morning when I am fresh and not frustrated. keep the ideas coming, hopefully one or some of them will work. I know people love this machine when it works for them.

Hi Ann, I was excited to hear from you as I am of Irish descent and visited there in 2008 and can't wait to go back.

Possible suggestions:
Try rethreading the machine and bobbin. Clean with each bobbin or so. I've had lint build up under the plate and cause problems too.
Maybe different thread or larger needle, a top stitch needle works well-larger eye and stronger needle.
Machine need oiled often, I oil it every 2-3 bobbin changes.
How much tension on the quilt, should be able to grab the quilt on top, if you poke finger up from underneath.
Once take-up bar get fuller, raise it up so at least finger thickness between roll and bed of the machine.
Are you using a stitch regulator? If not try to keep and even speed.
Good luck, hope something helps. Sometimes it works after I walk away for a while, maybe we both just need a rest!!

I tried going slower and slowed down so much that I couldn't really free motion anymore, so thanks for that tip. I will try each one that I read and hopefully something will click. I will keep trying but it sure gets frustrating.

Thanks, haven't tried oiling it, so that will be first thing in the morning and see if that does it.

Hi. Welcome. Check to make sure there is no small lint or thread under your bobbin. Clean out the case and thread it again. That might help.

I had a PFAFF grand quilter, where is your thread breaking? If it is at the needle, make sure the needle is inserted correctly. Try another needle. Could be the tension is to tight or the quilt is stretched to tight. Is the backing stretched to tight? If the thread is breaking above the tension guide - is there a rough or sharp spot in the thread guides. Are you using the same thread as you used in the other quilt and same bobbin thread. Does you thread pull easy after the machine is threaded?

I know it is so frustration - been there done that - didn't like it. Let me know if you get it figured out.

Hi and welcome from NE Ohio.

Another thought - is your thread feeding off your spool evenly - is it catching - do you need to use a net on your spool of thread. After the machine is threading pull on the thread and watch it feed from the spool - is it tugging - is the tension even at all times.

Hope this helps.

And maybe loosen the tension (rollers and clamps) on the quilt.

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

Welcome from Michigan.:)

I used to have a mega quilter(same machine,dif name)...these are the things that I did to fix that problem.
1-re-thread the whole thing
2-change your needle again-make sure it is in right
3-take the bobbin out and re-thread it
4- make sure the whole machine is clean
5-try different thread (may be old thread)
6-make sure the take up roller is a fingers width up
7-make sure you are NOT rolling your layers to tight...loose is good!
8-take a deep breath and relax...it will work out!
9- if you have any more questions, you can PM me ( I now have a Gammill but I loved my mega for 5 years)
PS- I had great results on mine with King Tut thread on top and Bottom Line in the bottom
Do you have the stich regulator? I kept mine at 11 O'clock for good results. Your tension should be on "0" and the front control tension on 3.5

Welcome from Adrian, MI

Hello, I have been reading this board for several years and have learned so much. I don't usually comment, but I think you should go to Superiorthreads.com. They have all the anwsers for your troubles on threads, needles, and such on their web site. It's wonderful to be able to print out their info sheets

Welcome from Alabama. I was going to offer suggestions but my advice is already on here. Brilliant minds do think alike! :P

welcome from se TX

Hello and welcome to QB, from western Nevada! Second DeeBooper's suggestions - additionally that machine can be a bit particular about thread choice. Cindy has the same machine (the Viking megaquilter) and hers really does well on Aurifil Mako 50 wt.

Thanks will try all the suggestions you wonderful people are throwing at me; hopefully somthing will work.

There is a group on Yahoo for Pfaff Grand Quilter owners.

It is also possible that once in a while, you are moving, or "pulling" the machine too fast, since you are new at it, and the thread can't take the stress. Also topstitch needles with a large eye work best.

What size needles would that be, and what does the package say as I don't think I have ever seen any that say specifically topstitch needles? I have tried Schmetz 90/14 as someone else told me that worked for them (and they did work in the last quilt that I quilted). I just looked in my needle stash and none of them say Topstitiching needle, so I am just being a little dumb right now about what to buy. What does the package say and what brand? I have also heard another quilt say she uses a jean needle so will try that this morning. I am sure getting lots of advice and am really appreciating it as then you don't feel quite so alone with your frustration knowing that so many people have been there before. Thanks so much for sharing your experience as well. Have a great day! CA

Hi from Ms.

Welcome from Tennessee! I have the same setup....don't have much problem with thread breaking but when you are sewing to the right, my stitches skip big time. I have the stitch regulator but I think I will throw it out the window! Sounds like your bobbin tension is too tight. Good luck

I bought a special needle needed for these machines at the quilt store. It is a Schmetz HL X 5, also picked up extra bobbins. hope this helps

Welcome. I'm not a LAQ but this is the place for expert advice given in a friendly helpful manner as you can see by what's already posted here. All I can add is that when I move my quilt through my regular machine in a tugging/pulling manner incorrectly to my sewing speed that happens when I quilt, rather than with nice even flow.

This may sound crazy , but my pressure foot has to be up when I thread the machine. Also if it is not threaded just right my thread will break.
Oh ,and wlecome to the board.

Hi RDM, for sure I have received so many helpful hints and I am amazed at how many people are giving of their time to try to help me out. Wow, thanks to everyone for caring enough to respond. I am thrilled to hear from all those experienced quilters. Have a great day to all of you!

Hi Nena, okay will try that as well. Hopefully I will be able to report later today that I am quilting and having fun with it instead of being frustrated. Have a great day!
CA

The needle I spoke of is "Inspira" topstitch 90. I learned about it on the Yahoo group for Pfaff Grandquilter.

Thanks, I will try that if these that I am using don't work. Good info to have.