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!

I never knew that. I always have the foot up and take the whole spool off pulling the thread out with it. Never seem to have any problems.

Me three.....never thought about messing with the tension by pulling it backwards.

Consider the cost of, say, a spool of thread over a few years time compared to the cost of machine repair. I'd rather doubt and do it than dare and care.

Jan in VA

On most newer machines as long as the presser foot is up it doesn't matter which way you pull the thread out since the tension disks are open.

Nancy Zieman recommends this method. Her explanation is that you "floss" the thread path thus removing anything that might be in there.

My machine tech explained that a yes the tension is not engaged but you should still pull the thread through rather than back so that any stray fibers on the length of thread do not get deposited in the machine's thread path.

Just a thought...
(confession: I don't always think to pull through, I pull back)

It is better to do it that way. Actually remembering and "doing" it is another matter entirely.

I've been sewing nearly 30 years and have never heard this, but I'll try it! :)

I am so glad you asked this question. I did not know that I should be pulling the thread out from the bottom. No wonder my tension get screwed up as much as it does.

I do that. I saw it on a Paula Reid video and have done it that way ever since.

Same here - taught not to waste anything. However, if it is really better for the machine, thread is less expensive than machine repair, so I guess I'll change how I remove top thread. Thanks for the info.

thanks for the tip

That's what I think!

Me neither but it makes perfect sense.

It is best to do it that way so that you have no risk of pulling muck into the discs.

that's the way I do it but I can't get my mom to do it! I believe it is better for the machine.

My son, the sewing machine repairman, recommends cutting the thread and pulling the remaining thread down through the needle but not because of the tension. If you were to pull thread back through the entire machine it would also bring any dust, dirt or debris on the thread back through your machine as well. Over time, it can add up to quite alot of dust. The small loss of thread is minor compared to servicing your machine more often. Although he is happy to service machines, he also likes to inform machine owners how to keep from visiting him more often. Guess I did something right when I raised him:-)

I asked my Janome dealer about this, during a class we had. He said if you use good thread, no need to do this. Good thread, meaning thread that does not give alot of lint. He recomends the egyptian cotton thread, and the bobbin thread, which I use, and am real happy with it. The bobbin thread can be used for sewing machines as well as embroidery machines.

Thank you, I had no idea of this...will pass it on to my friends that I sew with.
sass

Depends I think. If there are knotty/shredded problem in the thread itself, you might not want to pull it down and thru - according to where that knot has formed.

Julie

I pull entire spool from top...as long as foot up...Never had a problem and been doing it forever.

I've made a habit of pulling thread out from the needle for one reason. When you pull it out from on top you are pulling against the thread grain and you will get more lint. Doesn't seem like much but over the years I can see the wrong way as contributing lots of lint to the insides of your machines.
Judi

I had never heard that, but it makes sense to me. I will change my way of doing that from now on. Thanks so much for the info.

I never knew we should be cutting the thread this way. How did i ever get by without this board. I have had tension problems from time to time. I just had my machine cleaned and tweaked and haven't sewn on it yet- so im anxious to see how it does now that i know how to change the thread correctly. :lol:

I was always told to cut the thread at the bottom and pull it up from the top to "floss" my tension disks.

Thanks for this question---I have been sewing for a very long time and making quilts for 27 years but I never knew this.
Appreciate it, Kutnso

I've never heard of this for the spool of thread, but I have heard that when changing your bobbin, cut the thread close to the bobbin and then remove it. This is supposed to preserve the tension of your bobbin over time.

I just got a job working at a Sew and Vac store. Absolutely, cut at top and pull out at bottom near needle. It's that thread's leave lint and can get left behind on the machine. It's what they told me when I bought my first embroidery machine too.

If you cut the thread just above the tension thingy, you're only wasting maybe 6"....or maybe 10"!!!! That's NOTHING compared to what I waste by sewing the blocks wrong!!!! :-P

Yes, same here.... I KNOW that is how it is supposed to be done, but I bet I am not the only one who pulls from the top... tee hee :lol: