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.

These two machines probably will use the same needle.

well I found a package of kenmore needles that were with the machine... they are color coded, I checked the chart in that other thread, and no clue what the numbers mean and what would be good for cotton wovens.

Kenmore color codes
Kenmore colors its needles with a different system of color codes which indicate the needle's size:

Shank color Shaft size Shaft size (europe)
blue 11 75
orange 12 80
red 14 90
purple 16 100
green 18 110


I have one of each of these... which one should I use?

new needle or possible a good cleaning under the bobbin area.

the recommendation for needles is to change your needle with every new project-or every 8 hours of sewing time-which ever comes first- and fabrics like flannel, denim, heavier fabrics or knits will dull your needle faster than sewing regular quilting cottons. any time your stitch quality is poor the first thing to check is ...when did you change that needle last???

I took the bobbin and assemble stuff in there, removed the foot plate thing, cleaned out all the lint, oiled it and reassembled, and it still makes the snick snick noise, and breaks the thread off and on

the needle size type needs to match the thread being used- not the fabric=
visit the superior threads web site- they have free charts that will tell you what each needle is for- what thread to use with it- the weights and sizes- you can download the chart= print it and always have it hanndy.

I have never changed the needle (had no clue they got dull, I know duh... new with machines though... I feel stupid... I should have known... but now I do)

wow lot more to this than I ever though. I am just using coats and clark regular thread.. (I know that is not much help) let me go look at the spool then check that site)

says coats and clark all purpose polyester covered polyester

not sure what the other numbers are.

Thank you all for the info, going to be in another window while I check that site about threads.

Is your needle in backwards?

miriam, nope, it only will fit one way, flat on one side.

I think it is what people suggested, dull needle, being I have not changed it and have sewn denim.

I am just not sure what needle to replace it with.
(I checked the website mentioned above and do not see anything to help with coats and clark all purpose thread)

I just went through the thread breaking thing with Glen on the vintage shop. He is an excellent trouble shooter. I learned a lot from him. Ok here is a link to a conversation I had to reconstruct with Glen over on the vintage sewing machine shop. It was page 1770 you can scroll down an see my post. This same trouble shooting will apply to any machine you have. http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43881-1770.htm#4581627 My problem was I put the needle in backwards. It kept hitting something. I'm usually pretty good at trouble shooting but this one caught me blind. I was using two machines for the first time. I really should have checked with the manual. For what ever reason the needles went in just fine and would actually sew an inch or so before breaking the thread.

With the C&C thread I use the 14 90...

Thank you all, Charlee, I will most likely use the one you just suggested.

So hard not knowing what I am doing. I don't want to end up messing up the machine.

thank you miriam!

looking at my old sewing book...If any of these look like it
might be "it" then I'll go to the page needed and send it to you

Needle backwards
Tension upper too tight
Debris in tensions
Incorrect needle
Lint pack in lower race
Thread too thick
Needle too thin
Poor thread or old
Burs on thread handling mechanism
-----------------------------------------------
This book is from 1979, but here's what it says about needles
Size 11/75 =use for Batiste, Taffeta, Chiffon, Find Silk, Cottons, etc.
----------------------------
Size 14/90 =use for Cotton, Flannel, Medium weight fabrics
---------------------------------
Size 16/100=use for Denim, Gaberdine, Drapes, Heavyweight materials
========================
Size 118/110=use for Canvas, Upholstery, Heavy material or top stitching
==================================
this also has a list for leathers, Size 11/75= 14/90=16/110
===========================
Size 9/65=use for Delicate and Sheer Fabrics, Find Lace
Size 11/75=use for Lightweight fabrics, Single, Double knit, Tricot Jersey
Size 14/90=Medium weight knits
Size 16/110=Heavyweight knits, Heavy elastics, Bonded Knits
==================================
Size 11/75=Lightweight knit with stretch, Jersey, Tricot, Qiana
Size 16/160 Heavyweight Stretch Fabrics, Some Suede
========================================
ANY SIZE..if it is puckering, jamming or breaking, it's no good.
Size
=====================================
I never knew most of these sizes, or else didn't bother about being so careful to match the needle to the fabric. In fact, most of the time==I'll admit this==most of the time I don't bother to even change the needle till I start having some trouble with it.

Some times when you sew on denim the needle can bend just a little - pull the needle out and lay it next to a brand new needle. Use a jeans needle to sew denim and expect that they can bend or break.

just read your post, my needles is in properly, this machine never broke thread before and the needle has not been changed. I am thinking the suggestions that the needle is dull are correct, so am changing the needle.

just took the old one out... had to get step son to read it, he said it says 90 14 on it (and I did not tell him it was numbers or anything so I know he could actually see it) oh to have the vision of his LOL

this is not a color coded one... he said it had a word, he spelled it out, it is a Schmetz but not color coded, instead has the number 90 14 he said.

If you've changed the needle and it's still happening, change the thread. Sometimes thread can have rough spots that break when they can't fit through the eye of the needle. I had an expensive thread form a little lint ball at the needle that broke the thread and the needle. Also make sure that the little slit on the spool is not catching the thread as it feeds. If you have a single hole plate on the machine, it can sometimes help to switch to the wide hole plate instead. Good luck.

oh I just held the needle up so the pc screen was behind it, so I could see the tip... almost looks like it has a hook on the end. wow... and when I touch it... I can rest my finger on the tip and it doesn't poke me...

I so hate having to replace things... I am cheap... heh.. but got to do what I got to do... now to get the right needle

looks like after all my deductions this is the needle to use hehe

thank you for your info

off to try a new needle sorry for the totem posting

I think it was the needle, just changed it and did a test stitch. It even sounded smoother, no more snick sounds, and the stitches even look better, no puckering of the fabric either. WOW I must say, I did not realize that a dull needle would make such a difference.

Thank you everyone, and I hope that this thread is able to help others as well!

Yes definitely need a new needle, that is why you are getting the popping sound, for the breakage, the needle migh not be the right size for the thread you are using.

Maybe the needle is not pushed all the way up?

well it was the needle was dull

I switched it out, finished pairing up the pairs of strips, and no thread breakage (was about 25 or 30 sets of pairs.)
before it was breaking every couple of sets of pairs.

whew, glad it was nothing too serious.
Also noticed how much smoother it sews, and less puckering, and no more snicking sound, as well as it seems to sew straighter (or I am just getting used to keeping the fabric straight hehe)

ty all for your help and suggestions

You need the right needle for the type of fabric/thread you are using.

Use 11/70 or 12/80 or check your manual for type thread using.

Also check to see if there is something on the thread spool that is catching the thread Sometimes the little cut on the spool will catch the thread. If so, reverse the thread spool on the thread holder.

As soon as you hear the popping sound - change your needle as it is an indication that it is already overdue.

if you had needle popping be sure to look for burs on anything that bent needle was hitting - then polish off any burrs

Any time that my machine is not acting right in any way, be it the tension, thread breaking, funny sounds, etc. I do FOUR things...... I redo the bobbin (taking it out and putting it back in), I rethread the top, clean the bobbin case and top area with a brush; and I change the needle. SO often it's one or a combination of these things. Good luck.