Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Thread bunching with denim needle...help! >
  • Thread bunching with denim needle...help!

  • Thread bunching with denim needle...help!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 07-20-2019, 03:34 PM
      #1  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Posts: 127
    Default Thread bunching with denim needle...help!

    Hi everyone. My thread is bunching up around my needle while FMQ, and I thought it would be because my needle is too small but this is a denim needle which is huge. My thread is Tula pink thread. Any thoughts??
    littledentist is offline  
    Old 07-20-2019, 06:31 PM
      #2  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2019
    Location: Iowa
    Posts: 377
    Default

    Wish i had something more profound to offer here, but i am stumped on this one too.

    I know this seems maybe too simple, but it has helped me more times than i care to admit... have you tried totally rethreading your machine (including taking out the bobbin and putting it back in again)? Maybe your feed dogs are still up? Sometimes the tiniest piece of lint can cause the most havoc - if i am rethreading anyway it doesnt hurt to clean the most obvious parts i can see!

    Sometimes you do all that and the problem magically disappears - my only complaint about that is i wish i knew exactly which one of those things i tried was what really helped

    If none of the above works maybe switch out needles a couple times to see if that helps. Maybe the jeans needle and the thread combo are a mis-match? For fmq on my domestic machine i have had good results with the Microtex needles.

    Hoping the problem doesnt persist too long!
    AprilM is offline  
    Old 07-20-2019, 08:00 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Utah
    Posts: 2,093
    Default

    Sometimes it's from the presser foot not being low enough. What kind of machine are you working on?
    quiltedsunshine is offline  
    Old 07-20-2019, 09:19 PM
      #4  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Posts: 127
    Default

    Thanks ladies. I’m workin on a brother 1500. It’s the oddest thing.
    littledentist is offline  
    Old 07-20-2019, 10:50 PM
      #5  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2017
    Posts: 809
    Default

    This happens to me fairly frequently. It seems to me like the winding of the thread breaks and starts bunching up and then finally the core snaps. Dual duty thread is my nemesis.
    themadpatter is offline  
    Old 07-21-2019, 05:01 AM
      #6  
    Senior Member
     
    KathyJ's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Maumelle, AR
    Posts: 373
    Default

    This happens more times than I care to admit. So frustrating. So . . . I take a breather & clean out the machine - bobbin area, presser foot area, needle area, thread track, etc. If I can see it, it gets cleaned. Even my thread stand. Sometimes, I even replace the bobbin and/or the top thread. By the time I've finished, my frustration level is a lot lower. I thread back up, take a deep breath & start again but slower. Works for me. Good luck & happy quilting.
    KathyJ is offline  
    Old 07-21-2019, 08:27 AM
      #7  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Posts: 127
    Default

    Yes, sometimes I need to walk calmly away. I forgot to post pics, you can all appreciate them! Sorry for the side photo, not sure that that's about. [ATTACH=CONFIG]615019[/ATTACH]
    Attached Thumbnails lnqfmfqit3s4t0-pacgfjg.jpg   ge8muzmwqfeqxi4fmhss7w.jpg  
    littledentist is offline  
    Old 07-21-2019, 09:27 AM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 17,827
    Default

    Thanks for the photo, as now I understand what you are meaning as to what is happening.

    Sorry, I am not familiar with Tula Pink thread.
    What type is it? and its weight?
    It looks very fuzzy.

    While you said Denim needle ... what size?

    As you suggested, my first thought is that the needle hole is too small for the weight of the thread.

    The fuzzy-ness of the thread has me concerned that is where your bunching is coming from,
    with fuzz/lint coming off, and building up as it goes through the needle,
    and then not letting the thread flow through freely.

    Totally guess work here for me ... in not knowing anything about the Tula Pink.
    QuiltE is offline  
    Old 07-21-2019, 10:04 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Utah
    Posts: 2,093
    Default

    Could be a burr on the hook, which can be easily polished. Or the needle/hook distance is too tight -- hook is touching the needle. The thread that is shredded has already been down, around the hook. When the take-up lever pulls the thread back up, it's catching on something.
    quiltedsunshine is offline  
    Old 07-21-2019, 10:41 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2017
    Location: Sunny Florida
    Posts: 4,431
    Default

    Hard to know what we are looking at with the pics except a thread problem.

    Make sure the needle is inserted all the way up into the slot. It can drop down. Try a different thread to see if it shreds too.

    Check inside the machine to see if a thread is caught in the thread guides. You have to take off the little screw caps and remove the screws to see inside.

    Try a different size-type of needle to see if the results change.

    What bobbin thread are you using for the project? Check the bobbin area and make sure it is clean.

    Do you have the auto cutter? Check that area for stray threads too.

    Hope you find the solution to the thread issues.
    Rhonda K is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    litacats
    Main
    10
    08-21-2014 04:29 AM
    tammystitches
    Main
    14
    12-18-2013 04:34 AM
    moedersaar
    Main
    5
    09-20-2012 02:02 PM
    callen
    Main
    34
    11-29-2011 03:23 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter