I learn something every day on this forum. Thanks Judy for the info about the thread.
My machine brand isn't trashed on the forum, it just isn't good enough to be mentioned I guess. However I've used the same brand for 50 years and have always been happy with it. At least I could afford it when I bought it! :-)

:-D

I have the same problem..I use a dryer sheet and it helps. Just run it along the thread before or after you thread your needle. I keep it handy to redo as I sew.Sometimes it takes two or three time, but to me its worth the extra effort....Good luck.
I have always found this a nice place to look for very inspiring ideas. I DO sometimes "borrow" your ideas I find here. Thanks to all for them. I may get gutsy one day and post a few pics myself...lol

Thanks again. And yes, I think that whatever machine makes US happy is the best machine for us. Unless we ASK for someone's opinion, that opinion should be kept quiet. Some people just feel free to give their opinion on everything.

Wow, Bostons, that's a beautiful machine. Congratulations!

I thought about this thread last night when I was doing some hand sewing. I pay close attention that I thread the needle from the piece of thread that comes off the spool - not the cut end. To make sure I don't get them confused, I try not to cut the thread until the needle is threaded. If you thread the needle with the end that is cut, the twist of the thread goes against its natural flow and you will find more knots and breakage.

Thank you. :)

I always heard this when sewing clothes too, even though it was so tempting to thread the needle with the cut end since it was freshly cut and would always thread so nicely. :) Thank you.

I would love to have your new machine---I'm still using an inexpensive Singer--but it works and I can't complain!

Kathy, I never knew that! Learn something new everyday.

Congratulations on your new machine. Would twist thread be the way the spool spins when the thread comes off?

Whatever works, huh Myrtle? :) I started sewing on a Singer years and years ago. It was my first machine and I loved it! I sewed on it until it died. I took it to the only shop in town and he couldn't fix it. He was a Janome dealer and so began my love affair with Janome's. But I always loved my Singer. Somehow I ended up with a Brother in there somewhere but my sister has it now. I think we can sew on anything really. Where there's a will there's a way!

Who knew? Left twist! Enjoy your new machine

Left twist thread is sewing machine thread. Type in left twist thread on google and you will quickly get a whole explanation of the difference between left and right twist thread.

How awful someone would trash your machine! As a wool spinner, I can tell you there are 2 types of twist: s twist and z twist. For spinning wool, s twist is spun in the same direction. If you make 2 ply yarn, you would take 2 spools of s twist and spin them in the opposite direction as the they were spun the first time, making them a z twist. With yarn you can look closely and tell if they are lying like an S or a Z. All machine thread is spun the same direction, as far as I know. But a friend of mine purchased a new machine only to find it did not like the YLI thread she was using. Once she changed thread, it worked fine. I would suggest trying different threads until you find the one your machine likes best and whatever that thread is, stick with it. Make your machine happy and you will be happy also :) Enjoy your new machine and happy sewing. Lena

At one time, Metrosene thread had a left twist to it, but after so many complaints, I understand that the company reversed the twist. Now as to your thread knotting up on you, make sure that you thread your needle with the end of the thread that comes off the spool. Also, you can run your thread through Thread Heaven or beeswax which helps it to stay straight. You probably should thread several needles at a time to insure that you always thread them as the thread reels off the spool. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I never knew there was soooo much to know about thread. I am going to bookmark this thread...thanks [quote=Scissor Queen]I did a search and found this really helpful page. It looks like all machine thread is left twist.

Love the YLI booklet. Some stuff I never heard before.
Don't let ANYONE poop in your Wheaties! :lol:
Everyone is different. That's why there are so many machines out there. Honestly. I have a Bernina 440, which I am happy to have, but I also have a Brother Machine to take to class, and there are some features on it I like better.
To each his own. :thumbup:

How do you know which threads are for hand sewing? I generally use the same threads for both machine and hand work.

That is an excellent website with a great article.. I don't think left and right twist is something we generally have to worry too much about, but when you happen to have a spool of "S" twist rather than "Z" twist it can curl up on itself and cause you to have broken threads. Always a bummer when you're stitching away happy as can be. I have turned the spool over, putting the end that was on the bottom on top and that eliminated the problem at times.. I also think the rule of thumb is that stacked spoola should be put on the spool holder and the tread unwound off the side.. while with cross wound spools the thread should come off the end..

When you're hand sewing or quilting and the thread keeps knotting or twisting and seems hard to work with.. Try cutting the thread and re-threading the needle with the other end of the thread.. Thread likes to go one way and will balk at being used in the wrong direction.

Interesting topic, hopefully some problems will go away with the information here.

I went to the YLI corp site and found this wonderful article on thread. Go to the 2nd page on the right hand column and read the Twist and Twist Direction explanations. The whole document is very informative, and good to save for further reference material.


http://www.ylicorp.com/pdf/tot-brochure.pdf

Hope this helps.

My husband, a retired commercial fisherman, tells me that rope and thread is twisted as it is made So, when working with it, one should go with the twist. After watching me struggle with numerous knots in my thread when hand piecing or quilting, he suggested that I thread the freshly cut end of thread through the eye of the needle and knot the other end. I have done as he suggested and have had fewer knotting problems.

I can't help with the quistion, but Congratulatios on the new machine. what a very nice treat, God bless.

OMG!! Thank you for the "thread" to the thread!
It is so informative! I had no idea about how intricate thread was. The information is so valuable. I love to understand things. Thanks for putting that into the discussion.

I believe this site will explain what left twisted thread is.

http://www.ylicorp.com/pdf/tot-brochure.pdf

I think the thread for hand quilting is right twist and for machine work it is left. It does make a difference but not that much I'd be concerned.

I learn something new every time I get on the forum, which is multiple times a day, by the way. What a wonderful group of people. I don't post a whole lot, but like I said, I'm here every day. I love your new sewing machine and would feel blessed to have one like it. Pay no attention to negative remarks. I love sewing machines and have a collection of vintage machines along with a new Brother 6000, which sews really well for an inexpensive machine, and a Singer 2010 Touch Tronic, which also sews really well. Yesterday, I bought a Singer 101, manufactured in 1926, which is a straight stitch only, but it is unbelievable how well it sews. I know you'll enjoy your new machine.

Ditto on all the comments. Your machine sews, you are happy with it that's all that counts. It is your talent that makes the machine sing. Sorry I can't help you with the thread issue.

Ditto on all the comments. Your machine sews, you are happy with it that's all that counts. It is your talent that makes the machine sing. Sorry I can't help you with the thread issue.

You said it sister!!!

so excited for you that you got a new machine and it does not matter what brand it is. We all have our special brands we love & dislike, but they pretty much all do sew right? Enjoy your new baby and don't let her get to you.

Whoever you are that trashed the brand that Bostons bought should be ashamed of yourself---your either are very jealous or a very unhappy person who feels the need to hurt others---and you are here why?

Thank you! Sounds like you have some pretty great machines. And you have some cute dogs too. We have 3 Bostons. :)

Yes, and it sews beautifully! I've been doing FMQ with it today just for fun before I put it on the Gracie and it's been FUN! It's the first time I've ever done that so I'm not great at it but the machine works like a charm.

Awww...thanks for your support! You're right...we all have our special brands. And they pretty much all do sew. And mine is sewing beautifully. :)

I'm not sure what it means but long ago I did hear something about it having to do with the spool. Sorry to hear someone took it upon themselves to trash your new machine. Let that one comment pass unless this is always a negative person then you can just ignore her/his replys. :D

I don't think she's always negative so maybe she was just having a bad day. We all know how that is. Maybe she can just keep from raining on my parade next time. ;)

Thanks for the thread info. Everyone has been so helpful!

Congrats on the new toy. Don't let anyone rain on your parade. Didn't know threads have twists. My problem is shredding thread. It collects in a gob above the needle and eventually breaks if I don't see it and cut it off and rethread. Illsa

It sounds like you're using too small of a needle for the thread or you're using thread that has a lot of slubs.

Thank you! I've had that happen before on my other machine. I'm not sure what causes it but if you read through this thread there are a few good sites that were referenced that are all about thread. Hopefully you will find your answer there. Or maybe if you post your question. I found that there are a LOT of people who have tons of thread knowledge here. :)

My quilting teacher says alway thread the needle with the end of the thread that comes off the spool. Thread it before you cut it off the spool. If you use it the other way you are going against the warp. And it will just keep knotting on you and sticking together and giving you all sorts of trouble . I use Thread Heaven wich is a wax in a blue box and it makes my thread run very smoothly through the fabric.
MNM

I just learned something new!!!