When I bought my Baby Lock Embroidery machine 7 years ago they told me to always pull the thread out from the bottom. I don't remember why. Glad you reminded me of that. Could explain some of the tension problems.

That's what I have been told to do, and I try to remember to do it :!:

That is a very good question. Always pull the thread down thru the machine after cutting it from the spool. It will mess up your tension if you don't do it that way. Maybe not the first few times but it will make your tension go out over time.

The way most people mess it up is because they have the presser foot down which tightens the tension discs. On newer machines with the tension discs housed inside the body of the machine it is difficult to see this. On an older machine you can actually see the disc come together and open when the presser foot is lowered and raised. It actually is a good thing to take a thread put a few knot along it and slide it back and forth through the tension discs (presser foot up) to clean out lint build up and keep the tension cleaner.

I was taught by a sewing factory (Jantzen Knitting Mills & Swimwear) to cut the thread at the top of the machine, tie on the next thread with a square knot, un-thread the needle, and pull to the bottom the help clear fuzz from the tension discs. I am wondering if the things I learned there, might be why my machines never need service like I keep hearing all of you talk about? Just a thought....

Another one is that 'you never oil a machine until you have given it a de fuzzing.'
I was also told you never 'blow' into a machine (air or breath), always 'suck' out the air along with the fuzz. We could be fired on the spot if we were caught blowing on a machine for any reason. Breath has moisture, moisture causes corrosion, and breakdown. I should write all this down somewhere.

This is the way I was told to do it with my new Bernina 830. I still forget every once in a while, but if it will help protect my machine, that's what I will have to learn to do. I still don't understand why it makes a difference as long as the presser foot is up, but.....

i cut the thread at the top And leave it there. when i start with a new color thread i tie the two threads together and pull it thru. voila! the machine is threaded and ready to sew.

Update- I sewed on my machine for 8 hours yesterday and I used my new method of cutting the thread and pulling down. I did the same for the bobbin. I thought it would be hard to remember to do it each time but now it's just habit! Thanks gals!

The people who sell machines cut it and pull it. They would be trained by the experts.

[quote=collady]If thread has a "right" direction, then aren't we using it in the "wrong" direction when we use a wound bobbin? The "right" direction end of the thread will be on the inside of the bobbin as it is wound. Always wondered about this! :?: :?:

Sue