David

Wow... that's linty...hope the rest of the spool isn't that bad... if it is take it back to where you purchased it and get your $$ back or at least an exchange.

Ugh! don't you just hate that??

Yikes!

OHHHHHHHHHH that is a nasty one! What's the brand?

that is terrible, what kind of thread is that?

That's Connecting Threads brand

That's not linty - that's lousy.

Save that up and use it to stuff your patchwork football!!

:)

larger eye needle?? sometimes that is all it takes.

HAHAHAHAHAH!!
Great Idea!
David

I use Connecting Threads all the time--both on my reg. sewing machines and my long arm. Never had that happen. It looks like it separated.

Thats icky. I have a pipe cleaner thats stuck thru a straw that I use to clean my bobbin area every little whip stitch when I have to use linty thread. You'd be amazed at what that little thing finds.

Were you using a new needle? Did you try changing needles to see if that helped? It just sort of looks shredded to me.

Nope not a new needle. I just took it off the thread and it s definitely a lint ball LOL
David

I think I will need a visual of that. I can't seem to see it in my mind what you are talking about.

It may be a lint ball, but it came from rubbing against the needle. A new needle may not do much to correct that. I believe you are using the wrong size needle. Try different ones until you find the right one for the thread. I never use Connecting Threads but I know is not a bad thread. When the thread is poor quality and linty you find the tiny pieces of lint inside the bobbin case of the machine and all over the throat plate and when you touch it, your finger picks up the color of the thread.

I think so too.

Wow, I use Connecting Threads thread and have never had a problem like that. Yikes.

I agree with Maride. I use Connecting Threads and found that a needle with
a bigger hole helps. I use Schmetz quilting needle. There is a little test which
you can do. Hold the needle in your hand and thread the needle. It should
go through easily. If not use a bigger one. I wish I could find that website
where I saw this test. Maybe someone else will remember and post. CT is
very good but a little coarser so a bigger needle helps with the lint.

Here's the link. It's an interesting article and the "Thread should pass easily through eye of needle" is the part I was referring to. :-D
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...eedle-know-how

was that the actual thread, or was it picking up stuff from the bobbin race?

I have used connecting threads thread on many different machines for piecing, quilting, thread play, you name it and have NEVER had that happen....

My Elna is my pickiest machine..she will not use Coats & clark for anything...so I pitched it all and went with CT, Star, and Aurifil....

Might check your needle as well....even the slightest burr could cause that fraying...

Is that the Essential Thread? Cotton or Poly/Cotton?

[quote=davidwent]Oh that's bad, but are you sure it's from the thread?

I too use Connecting Threads all the time without that problem.

I would definatly use a good brand of needle. Hope you are not using cheap ones. Schmetz or Klasse is what they recommended for my machine. I have never had any thread shread like that one.

I have had Coats & Clark Machine Quilting thread shred like that & worse many, many times especially the darker colors. Switching to a bigger needle, especially a topstitch or embroidery needle with it's larger eye helps but I won't buy C&C for quilting any more. I have had a lint ball just kind of fall out of the needle bar because I had been happily sewing or quilting along and didn't notice it lurking up there waiting to drop. I even had one get sucked into the tension disks and had to take the machine in for service to get it out. That's when I decided no more C&C quilting thread.

I would try a larger eye needle.

that kind of looks like the eye of your needle is fraying your thread, either the needle is not the correct size or type for the thread you are using, some needles have round holes, some oval, some even square... but it is important for the weight of the thread being used and the needle being used to (match-up)along with being the correct needle for the job. :thumbup:

Are you sure there isn't a burr on the needle? I have used their thread and had very little problem with lint.

I have a bunch of this thread from when I started quilting years ago and yes it is linty. I mainly use the rest for decoration - they look pretty in glass jars! I rarely use it in my machines and never on my long arm.

I'm a Superior gal . Yes, it's a bit more pricy - but it's guaranteed by the company and stitches up beautifully. and the COLORS!!! You get what you pay for in thread!

Great article! Thanks for that.

I have never had a problem like that,and I use CT thread all the time

I always use a topstitch Schmetz needle (bigger eye), topstitch has a deeper longer groove also so there is less friction on the needle. At superiorthreads.com you can get educated on needles and thread. I haven't sewn with CT threads yet. But I do have a spool I bought with a quilt project. There can be bad spools of thread, I learned that from Bob the Thread Guy at superior threads.
Diane/Wyoming

What were you sewing on and what are your favorite sewing projects?
Diane/Wyoming

If the thread does that while you are sewing what does it do in a quilt? Not a chance I want to take. Get rid of that spool.

After reading all the positive experiences everyone has had with Connecting Threads, I, too bought some and mine does the same thing that you see in David's picture. I am not really interested in buying special needles for this thread. I just clip it off when it gets bad, brush off the lint and keep going. But I doubt I'll buy more thread there.

pstoner....i just love your avatar..everytime I see it I smile and think of making a landscape quilt of it..Did you take the picture and where was it taken....I know this is off the subject but I finally had to send you a message

Try applying a product called Sewer's Aid to the thread.

Good quality picture David. To me it appears that you are picking up lint from another source. You say that the mass is a lint ball, that the thread itself is not frayed. Appears that there is a bit in the thread guide too. Analyze the shaft and look for lint collection there as well. I've found some of the fabrics I use, epically flannel, tend to kick up lint. Darn stuff gets up into the tension spring. At least you can catch the upper thread lint while you're sewing, and brush or pick it away. It's when the bobbin coughs up a chunk, which gets sewn into the stitching, that I dislike. Just keep the machine brush, old tooth brush and notebook handy and use frequently. Write down your observations, fabric you are using, thread weight, needle size and frequency with which you clean the apparatus. Soon you'll be teaching all of us.

Thats really bad. Check your needle size David, it may not be the thread