When removing the top thread from your machine are you suppose to cut the thread at the top and pull it out from the bottom - so it doesn't mess up the tension? As opposed to just pulling it out from the top by the spool?

yes, it is better for your machine, less problems this way :D:D:D

That's what it says to do in my embroidery machine manual and makes sense for other machines. Reasoning is that the thread is feeding like it was meant to not being pulled backward thru the tension guides.

Yes ... it should be cut at the top and pulled down in the normal direction.

I learn something new everyday on this board. Did not know about the thread idea at all.

Me too, however, it seems like a waste of thread to do that. (I was taught to sew by a Mom raised in the depression!)

Yes, that's what I do.

On my machines, as long as the presser foot isn't down, the tension isn't engaged, so pulling it out from the spool side is no big deal. If I had a modern machine, I might do it differently.

I've never heard of this before either..

I wonder if mine is that way or not???? hmmm it does not seem to pull harder up than down...

Thanks for the comments. What nanamoms said makes sense. I will gladly waste a little thread so as not to mess up the tension!