knotting up....Help!
 

This is probably a dumb question, but here goes. My sewing machine has a thread cutter which I thought I would love, but the threads knot up on the back at the beginning of every piece I sew. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a trick to this? It makes my points bulky, and I don't like that. Any suggestions?

What is the brand and model of your machine?

I never use my thread cutter except by accident. LOL. I really wish there was a way
to disable that feature on my machine. I usually chain stitch and always use leaders/enders
which is a little scrap of fabric that you sew before and at the end of your sewing.
You save a lot of thread that way and the machine doesn't eat your fabric when
you're sewing.

I'm like you, thinking I'd love a thread cutter. Actually it's a pain in the neck (or should I say fingers?) I have RA and don't have much flexibility in my fingers so it's difficult to pull the threads up to start another line of stitching. Those short threads are probably bunching up causing those knots. I pull the thread out a bit and just cut the threads with snips, Then I have a length of thread to start my new seam.

Don't have an automatic thread cutter. Just the little razor thing on the side and back and often use scissors.

Wish I could help. I tried a friend's sewing machine with an auto cutter and I found it more of a hassle. I do a lot of chain stitching and find it easier to use scraps of fabric called leaders/enders.

I love my auto thread cutter. Well, not totally automatic. I have to push a button to use it. I never use it at the beginning of stitching only at the end. Don't know why you would use it at the beginning of a stitching line?? Also, don't have any problem with beginning next line of stitching after using auto thread cutter as my machine doesn't require thread pulled to back(top thread - I do pull toward back; bobbin doesn't require it). I have a Baby Lock Esquire machine.

I love my auto thread cutter too and use it. It is a have to have for me when I paper piece. It saves tons of time and thread. My machine is a Brother and the needle down has to be selected for the auto thread cutter to cut properly. It makes a mess of the thread if I don't have the needle down turned on.

I have a thread cutter too, same problem so I don't use it. The problem is that unless you hold the top thread when you begin stitching, it's get caught up underneath and makes a knot on the back of the fabric and also can cause the fabric to get caught in the hole of the throat plate. So I always grab my threads when I start a new line of stitching, or use a leader and ended piece to do it for you.

My threads are cut so short they can't knot up or make a mess. They are about 1/4" long, top and bottom. I think the tension on the thread may be all wrong to use the thread cutter. I had to adjust the tension and how many thread guides I used on mine in order for it to work great. Most dealers don't know anymore about the thread cutter then the customer. They know to push the button.

I love my auto thread cutter. I do have to push a button but it is so convenient. I have a Janome 6600 which I love but I am not happy with the auto threader-I just thread the needle by hand and it is quicker. Sorry you are unhappy with your thread cutter.

I have a thread cutter and a 'fix' stitch. If I use the thread cutter, the fix stitch is automatically engaged when I start to sew again. I think the idea was you cut the threads, so the new line of sewing needs to be secured so it does the fix, which does create a little knot. When I use the cutter, the fix button lights up, I can push the button to turn if off. but I never remember. This might be what's happening with yours or as mentioned, you are not pulling the bobbin thread to the top. As far as I'm concerned it's more trouble than it's worth.

I had the same problem so I always use a leader.

When I first the BL the thread cutter was cutting so short, when I started stitching again, if would unthread...would have to re thread, pull a tail and sew....so I took it to the dealer/tech...he adjusted something somewhere and now it gives me a longer tail and I can start up again without the unthreading...

I have a needle threader but I don't use it. It seems like the little hook that pulls the thread through the eye of the needle is getting caught on the needle. It only happens at home. I have taken it back to the shop and it works every time. I also have a thread cutter, but rarely use it. I thing the thread is too short and that caused knots on the back. I also like to chain stitch so that makes the cutter useless. I love my machine--a Janome 7700--even though she has a few quirks. lol
Sue

I also have the Janome 6600. I don't want to say I'm unhappy (yet) with the thread cutter. I was afraid I was doing something wrong. :)

I Love my Janomes, I have 2.

Thank You. I am also having the problem with it unthreading. I guess I'll have to check with the dealer.

Thank You everyone for the information you given. I am going to try using a leader. I never had to do that with my older Janome, but it didn't have a thread cutter. You are Great people, always with such great information. :)

A lady at the quilt shop recommended that I hold the thread when I first start sewing. She said that was old fashioned, but she still did it and it stopped some of that early knotting up.