“Shredding” thread
 

When thread separates and wads up before it passes through the eye of the needle, is that because the thread is inferior ? I’ve got shoeboxes of thread (Mom’s) and it’s all brands which I like to use up on charity quilts.

I have some very old threads that do not shred. You might check to see if your needle is too small for the thread.
Superior threads has good information under the education tab at the top of the page. I tried to send a link but it would not paste. superiorthreads.com/education

That has happened to me too before. I always change the needle in case there is a "burr" in the eye. If that doesn't do the trick I change the size of the needle eye and if it still doesn't do it, I toss the thread or use it for hand sewing. Not all thread is good.

Sometimes, yes, it's the thread. If other thread of the same weight & type is not shredding, it's probably bad thread and not a bad needle. It doesn't have to be old thread either, sometimes it's just poor quality. I've experienced that.

But trying a new needle is a good troubleshooting technique and worth the effort.

Pull some thread and see how easy it breaks by hand.

What is the project and what size needle are you using now?

Another recommendation to change the needle. Can you check the upper tension and threading? There could be small pieces of thread caught inside. Check the bobbin area also for stray pieces of thread.

Re-thread top and bobbin threads. There can be combination of issues. I usually start over with a whole re-thread including new needle. Needles can be bad out of the package.

Good Luck!

I doubt if all the thread would be inferior, especially if it's assorted brands. The others have offered good suggestions.

I have some from Sulky that did that. It was only one color, so I think that it was that particular spool which had a problem.

Sometimes it's the thread, sometimes it's the wrong needle or the wrong needle size for the thread, sometimes loosening the tension solves it.

What size is your thread, and what size is your needle? If you have a heavier thread, such as a 40 wt, and you're using a smaller needle like a 10 or 12, that can cause shredding and breakage above the needle's eye.

I have found weak spots on a spool of thread. Sometimes if light is just right I can see where the weak spots are. Without doing anything, other than pulling some off it starts sewing just fine. So I decide for some reason there is weak thread in places on the spool.

I bought 3 footlockers of thread when I got my LA, and find that Sulky always shreds, regardless of needle size, etc. i think Sulky is more often used for embroidery work and doesn't hold up to fast quilting.

Funny...this same thing just happened to me this week. I changed the needle and voila...everything was fine!

Since I only started quilting about 7 years ago, I don’t think I have any old thread, not to say that some of it couldn’t be inferior.

Did you fix the shredding issue?

Is the thread a dark color? There is more processing with dark colors so they can be prone to shredding.

Good luck!

I haven't used much of Sulky's cotton thread, but their rayon is definitely not good for quilting. It's a weaker thread and doesn't hold up to a lot of washing. I've never had trouble with it shredding if I remember to lower the top tension WAY down on my Bernina.

IF thread is old it will do this. Also the spool could have gotten weakened by something rubbing against it. Or if you can see the weak place, it could be exposure to sunlight which weakened it.

For me, when that happens it is usually either:
1. Needle size (most of the time this is it.)
2. Wrong thread type for what I am doing. Like trying to use cotton to do a satin stitch.
3. Wrong type or speed of stitching for the thread. I can't seem to do free motion with Sulky no matter my needle size, it shreds but straight stitching is beautiful.