I noticed last week when I was working on piecing the strips, that every once in awhile the upper thread would break. (bobbin thread was fine).

I also noticed that it almost sounds like it is stitching through paper... a sort of tick tick sound when stitching.

It doesn't jam or snag, or snarl, just every once in awhile the thread breaks.

Any suggestions? Please help, new to sewing and not sure what is happening.

Sounds to me like you need a new needle.

I wondered if that might be the problem (I have not changed the needle yet, and used it for the a fair amount of sewing on the denim lap quilt, and now a few strips... so um.. now to figure out which needle of the ones I do have, that I can or should use.

I wonder if I could use the one from the other machine, since the other machine is not being used.

The tick tick tick can also signal a problem with the bobbin. I have one machine that will do this if I don't clean it out with every bobbin change.

Try a different needle.

Up North is right... new needle!

Denim will dull a needle very quickly. A lot of needles are interchangeable, but it depends on the kind of machines you have...

Try a new needle. That sound probably means it's dull.

kenmore and singer, kenmore is the one I am using, singer has a squeaking sound so not using it till it can be taken in for a check up. both were given to me by my mother in law.

kenmore and singer, kenmore is the one I am using, singer is the other one.
going to grab the needles I do have and find that thread that discussed needle codes.
hopefully will have something that will work.

Thanks for the replies.

sorry for partial double post.