I don't know what I don't know
 

My sewing machine wouldn't use 40 wt. thread. It kept breaking after 10 seconds. Time after time. I had to change to 50 wt. cones. I wrote about it here. I wrote about it on the Bernina board. It went on for 2 1/2 years. I kept asking about it and complaining about my machine for 2 1/2 years. I quit using spools and used only 50 wt. cones.

Yesterday I took my machine to my dealer because it was clacking and the screen said to take it to the dealer. Well, I had not used it in 3 weeks! I told him, "Watch, it will work fine for you." He plugged it in and it worked fine for him. Why do things do that?

I told him about the thread. He asked what size needle I had in. I said 80. He said "no, no. You need 100 for 40 wt." He put in a 100 needle and put in some 40 wt. thread and it SEWED on my machine like nobody's business!!

It was because I was using the wrong size needle and I never knew that! Boy, do I feel like a dummy! I've been on this board a long time, but I don't recall reading about the bigger needle for the smaller wt. thread. I'm sure it's been written, but I must have overlooked it!

Anyway, today I am setting up my trusty machine and starting on Jenny Doan's Big Block Star Quilt. I am making 2 King quilts. I ordered 4 of her layer cakes she used in her YouTube video. And I bought 3 yards of cream for the background. I have been ready to go forever!!!

I'm sure everyone else knew about putting a bigger needle (100) in a smaller wt (40) thread. But, in case you don't, know you do, just like me. It has changed my life!!!! Truly!

the lower the thread number the thicker the thread... thus a larger-eyed needle is needed

here is some good information from Superior Threads
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...ad-is-measured

..."It was because I was using the wrong size needle and I never knew that! Boy, do I feel like a dummy! I've been on this board a long time, but I don't recall reading about the bigger needle for the smaller wt. thread. I'm sure it's been written, but I must have overlooked it!"...
Thread weights go in reverse order, so the 40 weight is actually thicker than the 50, so bigger thread, bigger needle.

Just curious - are you using a 40 wt thread to piece? If so - why, you do not need a thread that thick for piecing. It is great for doing work on top that will show - buttonhole stitch, decorative stitch, et. I think the standard for piecing is 50 wt.

However, 40 wt works just fine for piecing if that's what you have or what you choose to use. Let's not make personal choice rules for others, shall we?

I didn't know that, or the wt of sewing thread , thanks for the info.

I like using a 50 wt. thread for piecing, but a 40 wt. for appliqueing. And when I very seldom do bindings by machine. And I'm thinking, just thinking about machine quilting some small quilts, just checking to see if I can even do it and even like it. I see in magazines how customized their quilts are and I would like to be able to do that. I have BSR on my machine, so I am set up for machine quilting and need some confidence and practice.

Ditto! :thumbup:

Thank you for the great info.

I've seen lots of posts here about matching your needle to your thread - this is a great example of why this is important. Thank you for sharing your story!

The thread ply is important as well as the wt. to know what size needle to use. A 50wt 2 ply is much thinner then a 50wt 3 ply and each needs a different needle size. It's very important to keep a notebook of what thread and needle works for each application. Most thread issues when sewing is due to lack of information about the thread itself. Superior offers detail info about what needle size to use with each of their threads. Once you have experience sewing with the right thread and needle it will be easy to know exactly what is causing your thread problems.

Thanks SOOO much for a great quilt pattern. (I know this is a thread about thread) I watch the video and learned a new way of making 1/2 sg triangles and other tips! I quess that you are never too old to learn new tricks!!!!!

Oh Jeanne! You just proved that nobody knows everything and that quilting is often an ongoing quest to learn new things! I'm so glad that your now able to use your baby and that you are once again reunited! To practice the FMQ, just make up some orphan block sandwiches and have a go at it! I will only FMQ on very small projects on my Janome such as table runners, hot pads or a QAYG. I have tried it on larger throw sizes and I just do not enjoy the struggle that I have to go through to do it. The shoulder, neck and back aches just isn't worth it to me. I am in awe of the quilters who do FMQ a full size or larger quilt on the DSM. I bow to them!

Congrats on learning what your issue with thread was all about.... Now onto using more of the fabulous threads that are available... one of my favorites is a 20 wgt, varigated!

This one is hard for me....I don't know why...I can't keep it straight....I just need to have a chart in front of me at all times.

Superior Threads has some wonderful charts that you can print offf.

Thanks for this good info, I did not know this either.

Thanks for the info. Sure helps to know.

I can't wait to start the same star quilt you want to make. I have a gazillion FQ Kansas troubles fabrics i have been collecting and civil war and i think they would look pretty using that pattern....ooooo i am itchy now i wanna drop everything and try just one block....but wait i dont have background fabric yet....darn

I knew that because my dealer told me, but I have been sewing for about 50 years and only knew for the last 10. What we have not been taught isn't in our "data banks". Please don't feel dumb. You did have the good judgement to ask about it.

You definitely are not alone not understanding the sizes of needles/weights of threads. I haven't taught classes in many years (too busy working full time now) but I always spent a lot of time in my machine quilting and applique classes going over needle and thread information. Sometimes I felt like it was too much information, but I felt it was very important. The information at Superior threads is very helpful! Glad you figured out the problem!

thank you thank you ladies great info on this board I would be lost without it

I have only been quilting a couple of years and was working part time so did not get to quilt that much. Now that I have finally retired again (I retired once before from full time and then went to part time work) I am doing more quilting and more researching how to's. I have mostly 50 wt. cotton bought from Connecting Threads but recently have been trying polyester. I have been reading all the info from Superior Threads and they do such a good job of educating that I plan to buy most of my thread from them in the future. I use a 90/14 needle for both 50 and 40 wt and I have a Bernina. Seems to work. I do use the little white teflon ring in my bobbin case and that seems to make the bobbin thread move very well whether I am piecing or FMQ. I have lately used 70 wt poly for quilting/FMQ a tote bag and it worked very well. I think we are learning all the time and have to keep trying different things to see what works for us and our machine.

I didn't know. I'm self taught, and therefore make a LOT of "boo-boos" along the way! The important thing is to learn a little from each one. Thank you for saving me from this particular one!!

I feel your pain! Thanks for the info and thanks to QuiltnNan for additional info

Thanks for sharing. I've learned something this morning. :)

Thank you sew much for the question and thank you all for the information. My eyesight is not what I would like so sometimes have trouble threading my needle. One day I just couldn't seem to get the thread through that little hole, so my husband tried and he couldn't do it. Finally he said use another needle, that did the trick. Sorry to say that I never paid that much attention to the size. Just used a unversial needle and away I would go. Now I am better informed and will pay more attention. Thanks again. The older I get the more I realize what I don't know. BrendaK

I think I need a chart too, think I will head back over to Superior threads and see if I can find one to print off. This is way too much info to keep in my teeny tiny brain :D

[QUOTE=BrendaK;5717420] My eyesight is not what I would like so sometimes have trouble threading my needle. One day I just couldn't seem to get the thread through that little hole, so my husband tried and he couldn't do it.

I find that holding a small piece of white paper behind the needle seems to make it easier to see and thread, a tip I read about somewhere, sometime...too long ago to remember :)

Viv

a lighter weight thread would be a 60 wt....40 wt is a thicker thread....

I have three sewing machines and they aren't a bit cranky about thread. Reading posts from people about how you have to have a certain kind of thread because your machine, your needle, etc., won't do the job has made me very hesitant to think about a new machine. I recently found several spools of thread that are almost certainly forty or more years old, threaded my Janome and used every inch of that thread without a hitch. Most of it was Coats and Clark and two or three spools were American Crafter that was on sale somewhere during the Medieval period. I can't handle termperamental people. I certainly couldn't handle a temperamental machine! froggyintexas

I had the same thing happen on my embroidery machine,wrong needle for the thread I was using.. I changes needles
had just bought a new package, away we went no broken threads.. NW OR.

You are so right Auntpiggylpn .. we all are learning every day something new in quilting, crafting, sewing... Like the old saying: do what you want to do .. and do learn all you can (well that is a saying in our family! passed down through generations!!)

jcrow - thanks for sharing your story. I often wondered why there were different size needles for machines - I thought it was just for what you wanted to do - piecing, quilting, applique - now something else to help take up space in my brain - sigh. Guess I should also check out Superior Threads website. Now, is there anything special we should know about bobbins--just checking!!

THanks for posting this. I didn't know that either and I've been sewing for 50 years! I learned something today.

Superior Thread Company says to use a topstitch needle for most all quilting. piecing, etc. It has a much longer eye than the Universal type of needle. For sure, use this for metallic thread as well.

thanks for the info. guess i have been lucky my sewing machines sew with whatever i give them cause i have never paid attention to things like that.

I think some of the manuals/instruction books that come with the sewing machines have charts for what needle and thread to use with what fabrics.

I also find the numbering systems very confusing. I think there is some logic to them - but I don't know/remember what it is.

Examples: Sewing machine needles - the larger/higher the number, the bigger/thicker/stronger the needle
Hand sewing needles - the larger/higher the number, the thinner the shank of the needle.

I personally try to avoid using the heavier needles (anything over a 90/14) on anything except denim and/or canvas. I think they leave punch marks - but one has to do what works!

I just received my "free" DVD from Superior Threads called Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob

Check their website and see if you can still get it. $3.95 shipping charge.

Wow; I did not know that; but its nice to know; as long as I remember it. I just pickup and use what ever shows up the right color. My DH has taught me more than anyone-He took sewing in high school; He found where the girls were but I ended up with him. YEA. I learn so much here on the Quilting Board. Thanks friends.