miriam

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.

Charlee

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

Rhaorth

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.

Rhaorth

thank you miriam!

Ramona Byrd

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.

miriam

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.

Rhaorth

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.

Tartan

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.

Rhaorth

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

Rhaorth

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

thank you for your info