Thread jumping out of take up
 

Like the title says, the thread is occasionally jumping out of the thread take up arm (The arm that goes up and down, vertically) and is jamming things up.

Anyone know what is causing this? I have re-threaded, changed the bobbin and changed the needle.

It's a mystery.

I am doing chain-piecing, if that makes a difference?

Thanks, Watson

What brand and model of machine is it?

It may be that the thread is feeding unevenly. If you are using a cone, try adding a thread net.

Another thing you can do to ensure even feeding is add another thread guide to your machine before the thread enters the upper tensions discs. One way to do this is to tape a closed safety pin, circle side up, to your machine. Run the thread through the circle before continuing on to the tension discs.

One of my Pfaff's did that regularly and there was no rhyme or reason to it. Since that machine hated me, she didn't stay long.

Is it with all threads or just some brands/weight? Are you feeding the thread in at the correct orientation (sideways for cross-wounds and upright for straight-wounds)?

I have a Janome 6600 and I love it, but it will do that from time to time. Not sure what causes that. When it happens I just pull all of the thread out and rethread. I do wish I knew what caused it, but its an easy fix once I realized it was happening

The tech who cleans my machine said there is a piece that wears out and has to be replaced to stop that. My Pfaff has just started that and I'm just waiting to take it in when it won't take so long to get it back.

I never had that happen to my Bernina.

Is it with all weights and types of thread or just this spool?
I have had that happen with black thread. Black is dyed so much that it makes it stiff.

I wondered if perhaps you are using a glazed thread like YLI quilting thread in the machine. It is not meant for, nor is it 'good' for, your machine. Also, it's possible for this to happen when the thread is a heavier weight than you normally use, say a 40 wt. or even a 30 weight. But mot likely is caused by a stiffer thread, as previously mentioned.

You can check this by pulling a good length of thread off the spool and letting it droop down as you place the loose end near to the spool. Do it with several different threads to get a feel of how they differ.

Jan in VA

When I had that happen, I wasn't going through the tension discs properly. It was an older Singer. Once I correctly threaded the tension, the problem went away. I was using 40 wt cotton thread and poly-cotton at the time.