What is making my thread do this?
 

I am sewing minky and flannel and my thread keeps bunching up above the needle as I sew. I have tried different size needles and also ball needles. It keeps doing it.

Suggestions? Maybe the tension...but if so...what would I change it to?

I would change thread. If that didn't help then there is something shredding the thread, a burr or snag somewhere.

Oh...yeah I tried changing the tread too...so I need to take my machine in for service?

Try a new needle as some times the needle gets damaged and will be a big problem. Make sure you have no lent in your bobbin holder. Mine did that once and it took me a good long time to find a small piece that was near impossible to see but it sure was causing big problems with my stitching.

I would try Sewer's Aid (I lubricate the spool with a few lines and touch it to distribute the silicone, then touch the needle eye as well) sometimes I reapply a few times in each project. Also try slowing down, using a new needle (try a larger size), clean the upper thread track with a dollar bill or unwaxed dental floss. A tiny bit of thread or a small burr can cause the thread to shred. Also check bobbin area, clean well, sometimes it takes a piece of fluff. I would also lengthen my stitch (try all on a test sandwich) and see if that helps. Good luck.

It's shredding at the eye of the needle. Before taking it in for service, try a jeans or topstitch needle. They have a larger eye causing less stress on the thread.

They are also less likely to have burrs as they are drawn metal rather than punched metal.
My machine does bad things when I use a certain brand of thread. All other thread works fine.

If you change your thread and needle and still have problems, I'd change the foot.

I agree with PP. Also, are you using a vertical thread pin or a horizontal? I found that my Bernina likes the vertical pin better. Some threads twist as they come off the horizontal.

You didn't say what size thread and needle you are using. The sizes have to work together.

I have tried an 80 and now 90 needle. The tread is Guttermans...i often use Aurfil for quilting but since I am using Minky I though Poly would be better.

You lost me with vertical thread pin and horizontal. What is that?

Patrice...I have tried an 80 and now 90 needle. The thead is Guttermans...i often use Aurfil for quilting but since I am using Minky I thought Poly would be better.

You lost me with vertical thread pin and horizontal. What is that?

Too much upper tension will stress the thread, causing some fibers to let go. Passing through the needle eye then catches and pushes the breaks back up the thread.

Are using an automatic threader?
For some reason, mine will sometimes do this to certain threads.

Watson

If you thread spool is sitting upright then you have a vertical thread spindle (pin). If the spool is on it's side then you have a horizontal thread spindle.

Try loosening both the upper tension and the presser foot pressure. That worked for me and Minky!

You might try an even feet foot too. A walking foot or an engaged even feed foot might help because minky typically has a pattern that is heavy and light in the design of it. It is much harder to sew as a backing that is for sure. The machine has to adjust all the time to the fluffy and un-fluffy pattern. Make sense?

This has happened to me occasionally. Sometimes the tension discs get very linty. The thread feeding through the tension discs can pick up lint, and the clumps won't go through the eye. So, if you haven't cleaned out the tension discs, try that.

I don't really have a solution for you, but just wanted to mention that I use Aurifil 50 for piecing and quilting. I often use minky and flannel in my quilts and it works just fine. I've not heard that minky needs polyester thread nor have I ever used it. I'm sure someone here will help you figure this out. Good luck!

Some spools of thread have to stand straight up on the pin and some have to be placed on the horizontal pin. It has to do with how they are wound. Sometimes people have to use a thread stand or come up with some kind of way to make the thread behave better. Did you check your bobbin to make sure it is placed the correct way in its holder? Make a few little samples and try different tensions too. Good luck!

Is the pin that you put your spool of thread on vertical or horizontal? It does make a difference with some thread. I've found that on the Bernina most threads prefer the vertical pin that way the thread comes off the side of the spool and doesn't twist as it will with a horizontal pin.

Here's a pic showing both https://images.search.yahoo.com/imag...odege_001&vm=p

Stacked wound thread has to wind off horizontal. Cross wound thread has to come off over the top of the spool. See why here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnO5K6AA2sY

http://so-sew-easy.com/vertical-hori...thread-holder/
I have found that this does make a big difference on my sewing machine. However, for my embroidery machine, she likes her spools of embroidery thread to be vertical and placed behind the machine.

Boy did I learn a lot from your site. Thanks for putting the thread video up.

My machine hates Guetterman thread and won't sew with it. I saw online to put a small piece of moleskin on your machine above the needle where the thread will go across it. They put sewers aide on it. I haven't tried it but it sounded like a good idea. They recommended it for sewing with metallic thread.

I was sewing straight lines on a stack of 5 fabrics plus batting to make a chenille quilt and my thread kept shredding. I have a chart on what size needle to use with what type of thread and I had never had this problem before. I finally went up to a larger needle and that solved it.

Try sewing on another fabric, if it is still happening it may be your machine. If not probably the thread. Worth a try.

Since she is sewing with Minky, she needs a ball point needle.

Treasureit, most machines have more than one way to allow the spool to feed thread. Some thread pins are straight on the top of the machine, but some will lie side ways so the thread feeds off horizontally and then sometimes, if you use cone thread, that requires a heavy Thread Pro to sit behind the machine and an arm feeds the thread across the top of the machine. (There's always one more than one way to "skin that cat."

Thanks for all the suggestions...I tried many of them, but still had issues...just not as often. I finished and hope it was just that fabric and not my machine...I will check it tomorrow to see if it works ok again. love this thread and all the willing sharing!

Take a piece of nylon from pantyhose and rub it across the needleplate. There may be a burr on the needleplate. You might also do the same thing with the hook. If you have a burr, use an emory cloth to smooth it out.

So what is stacked wound and what is cross wound? It is in this tutorial, but I will mention it here.
Look at your spool of thread.
If the thread just goes round and round, one thread right next to the last one, that is stacked wound.
Stacked wound thread is meant to come off the side, from the back of the spool to the first thread guide.

If the thread is going quickly from bottom to top and back down, crossing over the threads, that is cross wound.
Cross wound thread is meant to come off the end of the spool. If you don't have the means for this, set the spool on the floor and lead it up to the machine. (Cats love this.)

Minky is fussie. I would use a walking foot to start as it creeps. Change needle even if you have, sometimes a new needle can have burs etc. I would also lengthen my stitch to 3.5. good luck

This was very informative...thanks maviskw for sharing it.

I would stick with the Aurifil thread as you can never go wrong with it!! As others have said it could be a burr on the needle, needle plate, or the bobbin and/or bobbin case. Try a larger needle and if that fails try flossing your tension disc. Good luck and let us know how you made out.

Thread will shred like yours if the needle is inserted wrong.

With the presser foot up, when you pull the thread, dose it come through the needle freely? Not tight ? Also if you change fabric dose it behave different?