I am quilting stars onto a quilt made from the pajamas of my friends Mother who passed away last year. I had to make 2 because she had twins, a boy and a girl. I didn't want to take away from the fabric so I bought clear thread. OMG! I am having so much trouble! It keeps bunching up in the machine and knotting the fabric so I have to keep stopping, cutting and unclogging! It's making me just hate to go anywhere near these quilts!! Please, what am I doing wrong?!! I am 3/4 of the way done with the girls quilt and my husband says I should just use a blue for the boys for the quilting part but again, It just takes away from the Grandmothers pajamas. Please HELP ME!!!

Clear thread can be persnickety, you have to change your thread tension. When I'm using invisible thread I set my thread tension to 2.5. Try doing that and see if that helps. :)

Thank you for responding! I will change the tension and I'll let you know if it works. But, mark my words, if it doesn't. I will NEVER use that thread again!!

I have three different machines, all different manufacturers, and not one will accept invisible thread. I just gave up, not worth the time. Blue sounds nice......

I recently used this for the first time, and was having alot of issues with the tension and looping around the spool pin etc. I had great results from using the free standing spool holder behind the machine. If you havent got one, try placing the bobbin in to a glass behind the machine, good luck :D

OH! Great idea! I will take a look at my machine, I'm pretty sure I do have a free standing spool holder. Thank you!

Just a thought....If the spool has a little nick cut for the end of the thread...make sure this is on the bottom so it doesn't catch on it as it is pulled upwards from the bobbin :D

Izy--I do not have a free standing spool holder, but was having the same problems. I placed my spool in a jar behind my machine and it worked too. I hate using nylon thread for just this reason!!

I use the smoke threads and use sewers ease I think it's called, the same stuff you use when using the metallic threads. Makes it unroll easier... After I started doing that it worked perfectly. Although my old Kenmore hated it and I adjusted the tension for better results. I even use it in the bobbin. Not sure that it's recommended for that but my Janome works well with it.

What are "smoke threads" or "sewers ease"?

I want to know too. I have used clear thread. It worked OK in my machine, but if there is something better I'd like to try it.

Smoke thread is a gray colored invisible thread the same as the clear...it's used when quilting dark colors so it doesn't show. The clear tends to shine when used on dark colors. :)

Don't know what sewers ease is though.

:)

First off, what brand of invisible thread are you using? It should be as thin as a strand of hair. I used to use YLI .003 invisible thread with no problem; it is very, very fine. Nowadays I see that Sulky invisible thread is often recommended. I have some of that but haven't used it yet.

Aside from putting the spool in a jar or using a free-standing spool holder (and checking the spool for a nick is always good too!), you can tape a large, closed safety pin to the right back edge of your machine with the circle part up and run your thread through that before doing your usual threading. It helps keep the tension on that top thread smooth.

Because invisible thread has more stretch, you usually want to loosen your top tension.

Are you using the invisible thread in the bobbin also? Again, because this thread stretches, you have to be extra-careful when winding the bobbin so that the thread isn't being stretched. Wind slowly. Also, stop before the bobbin is completely full. It's easy to over-fill a bobbin with invisible thread.

I also had major problems prior to using a glass jar behind the machine. Make sure you are using a sharp needle. I am working on a piece and started having problems with the nylon breaking about 3/4 through the quilt (I started with a new needle when I started the quilt) after installing a new needle I am back in business. Good Luck!!

I use the "smoke thread" to do all my sewing when making a quilt, I just called it light grey! I tried the tension thing and the spool in a cup and so far I'm back in action. Thank you so much for all you help!!

Woo hoo!! Glad to help, don't forget to post some pictures when you finished :D

I think Echoes meant "Sewer's Aid". It's a clear liquid that you use on metallic embroidery threads as well as the clear threads. It makes them behave better :roll: :roll:

Thanks Shadow. I have seen that in my fabric store. Just never tried it. Working on "black,white and red all over" quilt. Maybe I'll try it there.

Be sure to check your needle also. I use a top stitch needle for the monofilament and do not usually have trouble. Good luck with the second quilt.

Sewer's Aid is a silicone product that you spread on your spools from the applicator top on the product. It comes in a small container like fray check. I have used it for years It reduces friction between the thread and the metal/plastic parts of the machine, keeps the thread path lubricated as well as the lint down a bit from real thread. A single tube lasts a long time and it works wonders when you need it.

I Just use cotton thread, but I understand that there is a clear polyester thread (Maybe Gutterman?) that is easier to use than the old versions which are nylon.

I spread about three lines evenly spaced around the spool when I first put the thread on my spindle. If I stitch enough at one sitting to expose layers on the spool that were too deep to get it in the first pass, I may spread some more, but only if the thread is misbehaving. Usually, with my crazy schedule, I rarely get to sit and stitch for that long at a time so I will spread two or three lines the next day I use the spool.

Make sure your invisible thread is the very fine monofilament thread which is almost like hair. The thicker thread, more like fishing line, will never work. Do not use the clear thread in the bobbin. Change your needle to a metallic or metafil needle in a size 14. Last tip, when I have really finicky thread I use a product called sewer's ease. It comes in a little bottle which can easily be confused with fray check. ( Do NOT confuse the two--the machine will not like it at all!) Squeeze a very thin line of sewer's ease onto the spool of invisible thread, about 3 times--three vertical lines of stuff evenly spaced around the spool. Let it soak in for about 15 seconds. Sew a little slower than usual and you should be good to go. The other tips about changing your tension should help as well. That sewer's ease is also great to use if you are having trouble sewing with metallic thread--like gold thread at Christmas time.

I love invisible thread!! But don't use it in the bobbin.

I would try using regular thread in the bobbin and only use clear on top. See if that will work for you.
Dawn :D

Had never used the clear threads, but by using the tips(2.5 tension and spool on the supplimentary spool pin on my Bernina) and regular thread in the bobbin, the sewing went smoothly.
Gloria

Glad the suggestions worked for you. Hope you will share your project with us when it is completed.
Dawn

Someone (I don't remember who) said to try setting the thread on the FLOOR - in other words, as far away as possible from the machine, so it has a l-o-n-g distance for the kinks to get out before the thread goes through the tension part of the machine. I haven't tried it yet, but it kinda sounds worth trying.

I first used the nylon thread then read that the polyester is softer so I switched to that. It is much nicer on my quilts! I did decrease the tension a bit but found a solution to all of the problems. If you have a stand-up spool holder like you would use for metallic thread, use that or if you have an extra spool stand like I do, use it! Clear threads do better if they come off the TOP! I just read that & put my stand on, left the tension alone & sewed like crazy. NO PROBLEMS!!!! YAY! Try it, you'll like it! :lol:

OOPS! Just read all the other tips you received! I guess I was a little late! NEVER use invisible thread in the bobbin! USe whatever you want to go with the backing fabric. I'm glad you got so much help & that it worked for you! Happy sewing! :lol:

This post, and the responces ..
The perfect example of browsing. I love this board! It teaches and helps so very much !

I am hard copying this post for later reference. I feel like I have just taken a class in clear thread.

Wow ! Thanks for the post and thank you all for the help - great it was not a private message.. We all can learn !!

Ellen

I can use all the help I can get, so I figure others are the same way! :lol:

Sorry I haven't been back in here... Sewer's ease is liquid you put along in a thin line along the thread edgeon maybe two sides. It's a lubricant that eases the thread unrolling process. Using metallic threads is where I came up with it first.

Helps to stop the thread from breaking and stretching, Eases the thread transtion throughthe needle etc....

Sewers aid is what I use. Sorry and I see others have answered for me. Thank you. Been gone... I only use it prior to starting with it but if you will be sewing a lot then adding some more would help.
http://www.sailrite.com/Sewers-Aid-L...&category=7273
Here is a site you can go and see what the product looks like. I have used it in my bobbin without having any issues. The only thing that might be an issue is if you iron over the thread. You could melt it.

I know! Everyone has been so great!! My husband thinks I keep asking questions but I told him it's just all different people answering my one question! I've learned so much and I only have 2 more stars left on the girls quilt but haven't figured out the binding color yet. The boys quilt is going to go sooo much smoother thanks to all of you!

make a tiny sock like from fabric with a hole for thread to come thru place over spool helps keep it from unraveling. or use mono-poly from superior threads, its great I use it om my quilting machine with no problems

Try using the invisible thread vertical instead of horizontal. This worked for me.

That was the first thing I suggested. Use your metallic thread spool holder or if you have another spool holder, use the invisible thread on it. I have nad no problem since doing that. I also prefer the Polyester over the nylon, it is softer & the cut ends don't 'pick'! I use Sulky polyester & the only trouble I have is being able to see it!!! :oops: Itherwise, it's great!

It makes a difference which way your spool of thread goes on your machine . I have an old singer , thread sits vertical. No problem . I have a singer sew simple , horizontal spool pin , tangles , winds around everything !!!! Which way does your spool fit on your machine ? Upright works best . Annie

Since I have retired and don't need to dress "up" everyday I find that your idea for the "thread sock" is a great way to use some of my unused knee high stockings. I cut them into about 3 sections and discard the thicker part that belongs at the knee. They can work as thread nets on your serger cones too.