That's right! If the spool says for "hand quilting" it has a glaze on it that comes off as it goes through the tension disks and messes up the machine. If it says "machine quilting" its alright.

I had a problem with my upper thread race. The quilt shop told me to use dental floss and just put it through the same direction you thread. They said that pulling thread back up with the spool after using can cause lint and such to get stuck. That you should cut it off and pull it down toward the needle. The floss worked pretty good for cleaning it out.

Ohhh- thank you!! I do have a DSM. Ittook me a minute to figure out that meant digital sewing machine, but then I looked at the list and realized it was domestic. I'll learn the lingo in time! I had better get out my owners manual and see how to properly clean my machine. It's an Elna Quilters Dream I got in 1999 (or so). Before I had my children and had more money.

Same thing happened to me. And it was the take up lever. Piece of thread caught in it.

Speaking of thread- I doubt this is the problems, but I remember when I bought my machine the lady at the store told me that when you change thread always snip from the top and bring then thread down through the needle, as in don't go against the way the thread will naturally flow form the machine.

It's probably something you ladies knew already, but being self-taught, it stuck...

I don't see where you mention cleaning the feed dogs. There is a lot of gunk under that plate.

While waiting for an online order from Threadart.com, I bought 6 colors of C&C 40wt poly thread (mini cones)...all but two worked fine. The Yellow and Navy blue caused the noise you heard. If you feel that cone of thread...pull off a length and run it through your fingers...you will probably be able to feel the roughness. Wether wound too tight, or just wrong...I don't know. It does not work on my quilting machine (TL18LS), my 12 needle embroidery machine, nor any of my sewing or embroidery machines. I tried to use for hand sewing...ugh...tossed those two cones.

If I had kept the reciept...they would have gone back to the store. If you have the reciept, take it back to the store...then ask to be able to feel the thread before you buy it.

Marge

If my machine is making a noise that I am uncomfortable with, I make sure to do all the regular maintenance, and take it to have it checked out. It might make the difference in a regular checkup and an expensive fix because it was overlooked. Good luck with it, I hate to be without my fav machine because its in the Dr

My machine wasn't a 100% and couldn't understand why.....until DH cleaned and serviced the machine. Oh my,, sounds like a brand new machine now. I guess there is something to regularly servicing our machines. :)

I have had nothing but trouble with the Coats & Clark machine quilting thread I bought recently. I will not be buying any more. When I searched about it, I found many people saying that it was not the same quality that it used to me. My last thread purchase was from Connecting Threads and it is working great for me.